Exploring Bratislava With Only One Day
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I wasn’t really sure how I’d spend an entire day in Bratislava, Slovakia, on my own. As I’d been there several times, I really just wanted to explore on my own. Wander the old narrow cobblestone streets. Stop for a bite to eat. I just didn’t know.
If you are wondering what to do with just one day in Bratislava, here’s how I decided to spend my port day in Bratislava.
How I Spent My Day in Bratislava
Sometimes I’ll begin my “What Will I Do?” days with a morning motor coach tour of the city. For me, it’s a good way to get acclimated to a new city or town. The tour was included with Viking River Cruises Grand European Tour.
This particular morning tour began with a visit to Bratislava Castle. Located on a hilltop, I was able to get a glimpse of the town below and get my bearings.
Originally built in the ninth century, the castle was destroyed by fire in 1811. With the original building plans in hand, reconstruction began in 1953 and was completed in 1963.
It now houses part of the National Museum and is home to the National Council of Slovakia.
Wedged between elegant Budapest, Hungary and Imperial Vienna, Austria, tiny Bratislava is often overshadowed by its famous neighbors. Slovakia’s capital turned out to be one of the surprises of my Danube journey.
Traveling through Eastern Europe along the Lower Danube, I began to notice the contrast between old-world grandeur and the stark remnants of the Communist era. Massive grey apartment blocks often stand beside ornate rococo buildings, Baroque churches and elegant neoclassical facades.
Bratislava shares much of that same contrast. Even with its charming Old Town and lively pedestrian streets, traces of its Communist past are never very far away.
Where is Slovakia?
Close to Vienna, Bratislava, Slovakia lies near the border of Austria, where the Danube runs almost straight east and west between Budapest and Vienna. After several visits, I finally feel as though I understand this vibrant city that dates back to the Stone Age.
Almost every river cruise company includes Bratislava on their Danube itinerary. Viking Lif docked here for nearly 12 hours on our Grand European River Cruise. Plenty of time to explore the city, enjoy a café lunch and never feel rushed.
Back to the Ship or Hit the Pavement
After the city tour and the visit to Bratislava Castle, we returned to the ship for those who wanted lunch aboard. Some guests walked back to the city center to explore on our own, including me.
From the river boat dock, it’s a short walk to the heart of the city and plenty of restaurants and shops. Not to mention a lot of quirky architecture and Bratislava’s famous brass statues.
Join me on my walking tour.
One very impressive building is the French Baroque Bratislava National Theatre. Sitting at the edge of the city center, it dominates an expanse of open space.
Be careful as you cross the diagonal streets opposite the river to head into town. There’s a lot of traffic and narrow commuter trains. FYI…they don’t stop for pedestrians.
Look up! Bratislava is filled with whimsical and interesting sculptures, as is this scary gargoyle to keep evil spirits away.
Though they looked fairly crumbly, I found more even more medieval buildings still in use throughout the Old Town. Artwork adorns the exteriors, too.
From almost anywhere in the city center, you can look up to see St. Michael’s Gate tower. I headed over to see it and walk through St. Michael’s Gate.
It’s the only remnant of one of four gates used to enter the city around 1300.
St. Michael’s Gate, built in the early 14th century and torn down between 1529-1534. It was rebuilt during the late Baroque period in 1753-1758 when the statue of St. Michael and the Dragon were added at the top.
Walking through the archway, look down to see Point Zero, a brass marker that shows visitors the distance from that point to cities around the world.
Tourists congregate and try to find their hometowns on the brass circle. Inside St. Michael’s tower is the museum of medieval fortification and an assortment of period weapons to view.
In Search of Bratislava’s Whimsical Brass Statues
Next, walk to the town square. You’ll find Napoleon’s Army Soldier, one of many funny brass sculptures in and around the town square. Napoleon’s soldier is “stationed” in front of the French Embassy.
One “famous” resident is Cumil another whimsical brass sculpture, also known as Rubberneck. He’s a sewer worker, peeking out from underneath a manhole cover. It’s supposed to be good luck to rub his cap, thus golden brass color of it.
Located a few steps from St Michael’s Gate, Hotel Michalska Brana is a modern boutique hotel in an centuries’ old building. Maybe on a return visit.
This is Schöner Naci, supposedly to be Ignác Lamár, an eccentric elderly man who wandered the streets of Bratislava in the early 1900’s. Legend says that he supposedly tipped his hat and wished, “Good Day” as he passed by the women of the city.
Once you begin your walking tour, you can cover the main part of downtown in two-three hours but you should really leave enough time to stop at a café for a hearty Slovak lunch.
Bratislava, a truly under-rated European city, is a mecca for culture, food and activities. This city has so much to offer that one day is barely enough time to appreciate it.
With a river cruise that begins or ends in Vienna or Budapest, a few nights spent pre- or post-cruise in Bratislava is well worth it. Plus, it’s only a short train or tourist boat ride between the three cities.
