How to spend a great one day in Bratislava Slovakia
Oh, how easy it is to love Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia on the Danube with its friendly local Slovak people and how easy it is to spend one day in Bratislava. The only capital city which borders three countries and is the closest to another capital (Vienna).
We have created the ultimate one day in Bratislava itinerary, and it is extremely doable in one day because of how compact it is. The buildings are a mix of Soviet and classic, the statues are intriguing, and the castle is spectacular.
In our humble opinion, the city is excellent for a one day trip because you can walk easily along the cobbled streets to all of the city’s main attractions. The only trip we would recommend outside the city centre is to Devin, which is easy to do and luckily doesn’t take too much time out of your day.
So, if you’re searching for a Bratislava 1 day itinerary, where you can see all the main sights, know where to eat the best Slovak food, and make the most out of your time, then you’re in the right place. Nico used to live in this city, and we have just returned from a recent trip to visit his friends, who have given us some local recommendations that we are excited to share with you.
Is One Day Enough in Bratislava?
A common question is if Bratislava can be seen in one day? Now, the answer to this question is both yes and no. It is certainly possible to see the city’s main attractions in one day. However, it would be quite rushed, especially if you decide to go to Devin.
So, say if you’re in Vienna and fancied a one-day Bratislava trip. It would be possible, and you could still have a fantastic time. Please read our guide to 2 days in Bratislava for a slower trip.
Bratislava Attractions Map
What to do in Bratislava in One Day
We recommend picking and choosing from this list to plan your day based on your interests. For example, we love viewpoints and seeing the city from different perspectives, but you might want to skip one in favour of a museum if you only have 24 hours in Bratislava.
Bratislava Castle
You literally cannot miss Bratislava Castle. It stands proudly on the hillside overlooking the city and the Danube River. Undoubtedly, it should be on your Bratislava 1 day itinerary. It was once a royal residence and is now where you can find the Museum of History. There are also gardens to explore, a 47m high tower, a children’s playground and last but not least, insane views over the city and beyond.
Make sure you see it at night because the castle is lit up and looks spectacular, just like a fairytale.
UFO Observation Deck
On a clear day, you can see up to 100km from the top of the UFO Observation Tower. The bridge pillar is 95m high, and the views over the old town and the castle are extraordinary. There is a revolving restaurant, or you can have a beer if you are just there for the views! It is a must for one day in Bratislava if you want a different city perspective. It is open every day from 10 am – 11 pm, and it is an excellent spot to watch the sunset.
There is also the option to do the Skywalk if you’re an adrenaline lover! However, this is only open from April to October!
Blue Church
Yes, the Blue Church is that blue. When I got home, I showed a picture to my grandpa, and he said that it looked like candy. The church is also known as the Art Nouveau church of St Elizabeth, built in the early 20th century.
We would recommend heading inside if it is open or taking a sneak peek through the window if not. It is glorious inside too (and blue)! You can walk to the Blue Church from the city centre in less than 15-minutes.
Tip: check the opening times before you go or visit when there is a mass. When we last visited the opening times were: Monday -Saturday 06:30 – 08:00; 17:30 – 19:30 and Sunday 07:30 – 12:00; 17:30 – 19:30.
St Martin’s Cathedral
If you’re planning to visit Bratislava in one day, you should admire St Martin’s Cathedral, one of the biggest and oldest in the city. It is a Gothic cathedral from the 15th century and was once the coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary. It is hard to miss because the spire can be seen from all around the city! Inside there are four chapels and beautiful pillars to admire.
You can also visit the catacombs, which you can find underneath the church, where you can walk through narrow passages.
Bratislava Old Town Statues
You have to go and see some of the best statues for your one day in Bratislava. They are dotted around the city centre, imposing and exciting. You will regularly see tourists taking pictures of human-sized favourites are Schone Nazi, Hans Cristian Anderson, Cumil (man at work), and Napoleon on his bench. Luckily, these statues are close together and are so central that you would likely walk past them anyway.
Old Town Hall
Dating back to the 14th century, the complex of buildings that make up the Old Town Hall are worth a look. Here, you will find the Bratislava City Museum to learn about the city’s history. You can also go up a stairway to a 45m high tower to get views over the city centre and beyond. You will be able to find it in between Primate’s Square and the Main Square!
Slavin
Slavin is a war monument 52m high on a hill, which means that you can see it from different parts of the city. Here, 6,845 soldiers who fought for Bratislava’s freedom in WWII are buried. It is quite a powerful place to come and reflect and look over the city from above. It is spectacular and deserves a spot on your Bratislava 1 day itinerary.
Grassalkovich Palace
If you want to see the seat of the president of the Slovak Republic, then you should visit Grassalkovich Palace on your Bratislava 1 day itinerary. It is often referred to as the Slovakian ‘White House’ or the Presidential Palace but was once used for high-class society events. The president does not live here, but it is used for official ceremonies.
You can walk here as it is found between the train station and the Old Town. The large fountain and statue of the world symbolise freedom. But, unfortunately, there is only one day per year that you can go inside and explore, and it is usually in June! You can explore the gardens though, and it is free too!
Tip: visit at 12 pm to see the changing of the guards!
Walking Tour Option
If you would like to see most of the places mentioned above, but with a local guide, you can go on a Bratislava Walking Tour. A tour will allow you to see more if you are short on time whilst being able to ask questions as you go. There are also different types of tours, depending on what you are interested in.
You can check the Be Free Tours website for information about where each goes and how long they last. These include:
- The Original Free Walking Tour.
- The Old Town and Castle Free Walking Tour.
- Communism Free Walking Tour.
- Free Tour en Espanol.
Devin (Time Permitting)
If you have enough time on your Bratislava one day trip, or if you fancy leaving the city to see what else is on offer, then we would recommend a trip to Devin.
It is straightforward to catch the bus, it departs from stop D underneath the bridge (the opposite end to the UFO), and you will have to get the number 29 bus (see below on how to use public transport).
It only takes 30-minutes (10km) one way, so it does not take too much out of your day, but you will get to see something different. You can also catch a River Cruise from the city to reach the castle.
Unlike Bratislava Castle, Devin is still in ruins but is still known to be the most visited sightseeing venue in Slovakia’, so it must be doing something right.
The best thing in our opinion is the fabulous views you get from the top of the hill. You can see the Danube and Morava rivers and the Austrian mountains in the background. It is an excellent spot if you love nature and want to see what lies beyond the city.
One day in Bratislava Travel Tips:
Is the Bratislava card worth it?
It depends on what you want to do when you are here. If you are going to be using public transport, going to the museums and galleries, and Devin, it might be worth it for you.
However, if you are not, it will not be, so you should decide where you’ll visit to make the decision yourselves. You can purchase a 24hr Bratislava Card directly from the Visit Bratislava website.
Tourist Information Centre:
If you are searching for more advice on your trip, you should head to the Tourist Information Centre, where you can pick up a free map, purchase the Bratislava Card, or use free Wi-Fi.
How to get around using public transport:
Bratislava has trams and buses that are easy to use. You can buy a ticket from the yellow dispensers and then validate them when you get on the bus.
Depending on how long your journey is, they last at different times, and you can pay for a 24-hour ticket too, which is convenient for one day in Bratislava. The ticket is then valid for all forms of public transport.
Most dispensers only accept coins. However, there was an option to pay by phone on the bus to receive an SMS ticket and electronically via the IDS BK app or by tapping on the contactless payment symbol on board.
You might receive a fine if you do not pay for a ticket.
Where to eat for one day in Bratislava:
If you fancy trying traditional Slovak food, we recommend trying Bratislava Flagship Restaurant. Most blogs would recommend the Slovak Pub, and whilst it is good there, we believe the food at Flagship is better value for local food, and we love the interior! We recommend getting a sharing plate so that you can try more things! You can also try the garlic soup in bread!
Where to drink:
Drink in Gallery Andy – for drinks in a tram and friendly staff.
- Grand Cru Wine Gallery to try the best Slovak wine.
- At The Devil’s – for its exciting decor and cosy environment.
- Za rohom by Bombovar if you fancy a Table Football game with the locals.
Where to stay:
We recommend staying anywhere in Stare Mesto if you plan an overnight trip. It means that you are centrally located to explore the top attractions in Bratislava. We stayed at the Ibis Hotel Bratislava, a short walk into the city centre and the castle. We were impressed with the location and friendly staff when we were last there.
When is the best time to go to Bratislava?
It goes without saying, but the summer is the busiest time, and it can get scorching in Bratislava. Winter is an excellent option for the Christmas markets, but it is freezing. Therefore, the best time would be the shoulder season for mild weather and fewer tourists in either May or September.
How to pay for things:
Most places accept cards, and we got the impression that people preferred cards over cash and would often complain if we tried to give them 20 Euros. When we travel, we like to have both because you never know! But we would say that the city centre is card friendly.
We hope you enjoyed thsi 1 day in Bratislava itineray and that you enjoy visiting the city as much as us. As always if you have any questions about your trip, let us know in the comments below!
Photo Credits: averagelives.com