The best way to spend 2 days in Bratislava
This is a guide on what to do for 2 days in Bratislava, the lively capital city of Slovakia. Located only 1 hour or 70km away from Vienna, a lot of people visit this city on a day trip. We believe you shouldn’t. Although it’s compact, you won’t be able to fully appreciate Bratislava in 1 day. Therefore, 2 days in Bratislava would be ideal.
In recent years, Bratislava has become a popular destination for those holidaymakers who want something a little bit different than the most obvious European city breaks. It’s often overlooked in favour of its well-known neighbouring countries – including Hungary with Budapest, which is only 200km away.
Bratislava has a small population (for a capital) under 450,000 but is bursting with castles, historic buildings, unique churches, and lots of hip bars and restaurants. Notably, the Old Town in the centre attracts crowds of people because the buildings are just so beautiful. The Old Town is also the perfect place to start exploring as most places are nearby. This means that you can spend 2 days in Bratislava without feeling too rushed.
When is the best time to visit for 2 days in Bratislava?
There’s not a bad time to visit Bratislava but you will have a different experience depending on what month you visit. In the summer temperatures reach over 30 °C whereas in the winter temperatures can go below -5 °C and you can see the city in snow.
If you are looking to combine your trip with the Christmas Markets, the stalls take over Bratislava’s central squares. This is a tradition that goes as far back as the middle ages.
How to get to Bratislava
BY AIR: Airport Bratislava is Slovakia’s main airport (BTS). Alternatively, you can fly into Vienna and catch a bus for €6-8 into Bratislava. Look at the companies of RegioJet and Slovak Lines.
From the airport you can get an Bolt into the centre or you can download the HOPIN app for affordable taxis. We have you covered for the best travel apps in this post which you can read here.
Whatever you decide to do, avoid normal taxis as they tend to be overpriced and as a tourist you could end up spending double the price. Bolt is our go to, and we make sure to pay on the app because the driver might say they don’t have any change!
Transfer: we have selected one of the best, most trustworthy and most convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your airport transfer based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travellers and if you want less hassle, we suggest booking with them.
BY TRAIN: Bratislava Hlavna Stanica is the main train station in the city.
BUY BUS: Autobusova Stanica Nivy is the main bus station in the city.
How to get around for 2 days in Bratislava
The city is a small capital and it is easy to get around by foot if you are spending 2 days in Bratislava. However, there are convenient and well-connected tram lines and bus routes if you wanted to take public transport. Also Uber is a cheap way to get around, especially if you want to visit places out of the old town.
Top 14 things to See and Do in or Near Bratislava
Use this list to create your own custom itinerary for 2 days in Bratislava. Of course, there are so many things that you could do, so pick and choose from the list based on your preferences.
City Attractions
The Old Town
Luckily, the Old Town is compact and full of narrow and cobbled streets. This means that you can wander around on a do it yourself tour. Alternatively, you can opt to go on a free walking tour with the company ‘Bratislava Free Tour’. This tour runs everyday at both 11am and then at 4pm. This tour would be good if you are interested in learning about the city’s past from a local. Including Czechoslovakia’s independence from the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and the two countries’ separation in 1993.
Whilst you’re in the Old Town, don’t miss taking pictures of the main square including the Old Town Hall and the Roland’s Fountain.
The Statues
You will notice all the statues around the Old Town and they are very popular to photograph. They are there to ‘modernise’ the historical Old Town. Our favourite is ‘CUMIL’ man at work statue (and the sign that accompanies it). His name translates to mean ‘the watcher’ and there are different ideas about what he is watching. If you touch the head of the man and make a wish it will come true…
We also like the Napoleon statue that you can see from outside the French embassy. It’s here because Napoleon and his army were in Bratislava in 1805. You can sit on the bench the statue leans on, so it’s a comical photo.
The Blue Church
Famously known as The Blue Church, the Church of St. Elizabeth is on the eastern edge of Bratislava. It’s one of those places you’ve probably seen on Instagram, but we can confirm it really is that blue! You can only enter if there is a mass, if not you can still see how blue it is inside by looking through the windows! You’ll notice the surroundings are not quite as blue as you will see lots of Soviet architecture. It’s quite a juxtaposition!
St Martin’s Cathedral
This is an important Gothic Cathedral that you will find on your way up to Bratislava Castle on the west side of the Old Town. It’s a large cathedral and its free to enter too. This is where Kings and Queens were crowned during the Hungarian Kingdom.
Bratislava Castle
Visit the Bratislava Hrad for panoramic views over the city. You can walk here from the Old Town in about 15 minutes. However, a lot of people are disappointed with the castle and we think this is because it was restored in the 1950s. Nevertheless, it’s still something that you should do in 2 days in Bratislava. It looks like a fairy-tale castle, doesn’t it?
There is a museum in the castle, as well as gardens at the back of the castle, which you can enjoy in the summer months. The basic entrance fee is €10 for adults and €4 for seniors, students and children. However, you can visit the outside for free if you’re on a budget or if you just came for the views.
UFO on the SNP Bridge
It’s easy to see how this unique spot got its name. It really does look like a flying saucer, right? Arguably, you should visit the UFO restaurant for sunset or at night-time to really appreciate it. It is a whopping 87m above the bridge and this means the views are spectacular. It’s good to know that the entrance fee is €10 for the observation deck. You can eat here too, but book in advance and know it’s not very cheap!
Also, if you enjoyed the statues in the Old Town, there is a statue here called the Paparazzi Statue. Be sure to check it out, it’s one of the most famous ones in Bratislava, it was actually moved here from the Old Town because it belongs to the owners of the restaurant.
Slovak Radio Building
You’ll either love or hate this building. We heard it was voted one of the ugliest buildings in the world but we disagree. It looks like an upside down pyramid. It is out the way from other central attractions, so only visit if you find yourself with spare time or if you are heading that way already.
Grassalkovich Palace
Otherwise known as the ‘President Palace’ is where (you guessed it) the President of Slovakia lives. It is located just outside of the Old Town and has gardens that you can walk around. At midday, you might be lucky to see the ‘changing of the guards’ but it’s not as dramatic as the one in London.
Walk along the Danube
Join the other tourists and the locals and go for a walk along Bratislava’s waterfront and stop at some of the riverside bars. In the summer you can go to Magio Beach, which is a lively spot. It’s also a great place to take some pictures – especially of the UFO Bridge. Walk either to Eurovea or to the River Bank.
Trhovisko Miletičova (Central Market)
We really love visiting markets when we visit a new place. There’s something exciting about the locals shopping and buzzing around on a weekend. Here you can expect to find fresh food, clothing and cheap but delicious food.
Bunkers in Bratislava
Calling all history lovers. There are 14 war bunkers that are open to the public in Bratislava. They were built to defend against the Nazis and lie on the outskirts of the city. The largest is the BS-8 and you can go on a tour inside if you contact the volunteers who maintain it in advance.
Don’t miss walking down our favourite streets and take some pictures:
Hviezdoslavovo Námestie – this street connects the Danube and the National Theatre in the old town. You’ll find the US embassy, trees and a pedestrian only area with pretty fountains.
Sturova Ulica – which connects Eurovea to the Old Town.
Palisady St – which goes up to the castle from the Old Town. Plenty of pubs to have a drink surrounded by beautiful historical buildings.
Go out of Bratislava city centre:
The ruins of Devin Castle
Devin Castle is impressive and is only a 30-minute bus (number 29) ride from the Old Town. It is where you can see the meeting of the Danube and Morava rivers. The castle dates back to the 5th century and is located on a hill, which means you will have to walk to reach the top but don’t worry, it’s not too difficult.
They have recently opened a viewing platform, which means that you can have fantastic views over the rivers!
Good to know: you can also go on a River Cruise from Bratislava to Devin Castle, which is a unique experience for 2 days in Bratislava.
Slavin War Memorial
Not only will you find amazing views here, but it is somewhere out of the city where you can feel at peace. It is a memorial to the sacrifices made in WWII where the Soviet Union soldiers died in 1945 fighting the German occupation of Bratislava. This is a short walk out of the city centre or you could get a bus or a Bolt taxi to reach it.
Top places to eat in Bratislava
People are always surprised at how large the portions are in Bratislava. However, you have to have some traditional food whilst you are there The following restaurants and cafes have great reputation.
- Flagship or Slovak Pub for Slovak dishes. (We prefer Flagship)
- BeAbout for burgers.
- Basilico for pizza.
- Kamzík Tower which has a beautiful view and is a traditional Slovak restaurant
Top places to drink in Bratislava
Surprisingly, it’s not too expensive to drink in Bratislava. Depending on the vibe you’re after, you should go to one (or a few) of the following places for a good time.
- Grand Cru Wine Gallery
- KC Dunai
- Gallery Andy (Tram pub).
- Steinplatz Bratislava
Where to stay for 2 days in Bratislava
As previously mentioned, Bratislava is compact and you can walk around. With this in mind, you should aim to stay as close as possible to Stare Mesto (the Old Town) if you are only staying 2 days in Bratislava. This is because it will be easy to access all the attractions we have listed in the centre and you will be close to all public transport.
It is also the perfect place to stay if you are looking to head to one of the many bars in Bratislava, as you will not need to pay any taxi fares! Keep in mind, there is a range of accommodation options available depending on whether or not you are a budget traveller or you’re looking to splurge. Remember compared to other Western European capitals, Bratislava is a much cheaper option.
If you only have 2 days in Bratislava then make sure you explore it to the fullest. Nico was lucky enough to live in this city for 2 years but we plan on going back as soon as it’s safe to do so. We hope you’ve been inspired to visit this wonderful European city and enjoy everything it has to offer! A visit often exceeds expectations…
Have you been to Bratislava? What’s your favourite thing to do in 2 days in Bratislava? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Credit: averagelives.com and unsplash
Wow, Bratislava looks incredible! I love the Napoleon statue…it would definitely make for some great photographs! The blue church also looks really pretty! The Slavin War Memorial also looks spectacular! Thanks for the great guide, I hope I get an opportunity to visit!
I always tell people that Bratislava is under rated as a destination. I hope people read this and pay more attention to it.
I’ve been to Bratislava twice now and loved both trips! It’s such a laid back capital city compared to others that I’ve been to.