Bratislava, Slovakia: Top Ten Tourist Attractions

If all you know of Bratislava are the snippets you saw in the James Bond film The Living Daylights, then you’re missing most of the Slovak city’s charms. Overshadowed by Prague when Czechoslovakia still existed, Bratislava has emerged in the wake of Slovakia’s independence as one of Europe’s loveliest “new” capitals, a must-see for tourists in Central Europe. Bratislava remains remarkably well-preserved, gaily combining the Soviet-style slab buildings with more refined, celebratory architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries (and even earlier). Historically significant for its location on the Danube, Bratislava’s winding streets, red rooftops, and hospitable residents welcome tourists while the city tells its story through castles, churches, and other centers of culture. Slovakia should not be overlooked by visitors to Central Europe, and Bratislava in particular deserves at least a week of tourists’ time.

Here are just ten of the most significant tourist attractions in Bratislava:

Bratislava Castle
Offering views of both Austria and Hungary from a bluff along the Danube, Bratislava Castle is a point of pride for Slovakians. The site has been one of military fortification since ancient times, and the castle (though rebuilt several times) has been present since the 10th century. Used by royalty during Bratislava’s tenure as a Hungarian stronghold, it now serves as a museum and tourist attraction. If you’re coming from the old town city centre, be sure to climb the steep stairs for a workout.