Nestled between the Pannonian Plain and the Tatra Mountains lies Slovakia, a colourful mixture of cities with winding streets, castles and Gothic churches as well as diverse lush forests and tall mountains that rise above 2,000 metres. It’s a country with rich history and unique traditions. Tourism isn’t as developed as in some other neighbouring countries, which gives rise to countless opportunities to explore the genuine Slovakia. Read the travel tips for the Central European country and you’ll soon see why it has to become your next travel destination.
Bratislava is the only capital in the world that borders two countries, Austria and Hungary. This means excellent connections with the capitals of the said neighbouring countries. The contrasting city is home to medieval architecture of churches and castles, and to majestic buildings of Socialist architecture.
In order to get the proper sense of the city, it’s best to take a tour on a sightseeing bus that will take you around the capital, all the way from the castle to the Danube. The bus is coloured red and just the way buses used to look like in the old times. And there’s another tour that awaits, this time with a car or, more specifically, a Škoda. The ride includes exploring the political changes of the 20th century and the Communist architecture. But you can also opt for a more modern mode of transport, namely an electric scooter that comes with an experienced local guide. You can choose one of three routes that will take you throughout the city.
A castle towers above Bratislava that was once the seat of its former rulers. Climb up to the 47-metre-high tower where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the city and the neighbouring countries. This is where the royal jewels once used to be held on display. The old town is rather small but, despite this, it still offers many opportunities for you to get lost while exploring the cobbled city streets or shopping in charming little shops. Travellers will enjoy a walk down to the 15th-century Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral or to Michael’s Gate, the only preserved medieval city gate. You can also climb to the tower above the gate. One of the major attractions is the old town hall that was built in 1370. As for the most beautiful streets, Kapitulská is surely one of them, giving the illusion of stepping back in time. It’s a small medieval street, full of colourful buildings. The old town is particularly famous for its large number of monuments. A fine example is the statue of a worker climbing from the shaft, or the statue of a man greeting you from the corner of the main square. The Slavín monument is also a noticeable landmark and was built as a memorial to 7,000 Soviets who took over the city in 1945. You can climb to the top, fity-two metres high. The Church of St. Elizabeth, known also as the Blue Church, stands out and is just as blue as the name suggests. It was built in 1913. There’s a mobile app the will appeal to travellers as it will help them explore Bratislava. The user has to solve various riddles while exploring the capital and discover the hipster hangouts in the city. If you’re looking for the best place to take a nap and have a respite from city sights, Lake Zlaté Piesky will be perfect for you to enjoy the lake beach.
Ten minutes from the train station, the Patio HI hostel is the best choice to stay when in Bratislava. You can relax while playing table football or visit the modern bar.
Definitely interesting to explore are places that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Banská Štiavnica is a charismatic and completely preserved medieval town and there are mines below the ground where silver and gold were once dug up. Nearby lies the village of Hronsek with a wooden church as its main attraction because it was built without using iron nails. The Low Tatras is an interesting place to explore numerous caves, Demänovská Cave being one of them. An example of a typical mountain village is Vlkolínec, comprised of 40 houses and a basket full of traditions. Spiš Castle is the largest medieval castle in this part of Europe and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. Levoča can be found nearby, an interesting town for travellers that is completely surrounded by a wall. And finally, Orava Castle, an attraction which gained world prominence after Dracula had been filmed there.
Wherever you go, your trip can be safe, with simple and customisable international travel insurance for solo travellers and families. Get travel insurance through World Nomads and get a policy with 24-hour assistance and transport for medical emergencies, as well as cover for more than 220 sports and leisure activities on snow, water, air and land. The insurance policy may include, among other things, coverage for experiential activities, such as au pairs – part-time or voluntary work with children, working in a bar, fruit picking, office work, teaching and some other work abroad. Protect yourself or your family with World Nomads travel insurance.
Enjoy while exploring Bratislava and don’t forget to send postcards with MyPostcard. All HI members get 25% off. New users can send their first postcard for free with the HIGlobetrotter promo code through the Globetrotter profile. You can read more about it here.
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