24 Hours in Bratislava Slovakia, One Day Itinerary
Bratislava Slovakia is a great day trip and an easy train ride from Vienna Austria. Bratislava is the Slovakian capital and is known for its well-preserved Communist-Era Architecture. Bratislava has a cobblestoned medieval old town full of pastel buildings, a castle on a hill, the narrowest house in Europe, vineyards, a café culture, and deep-fried cheese. This day trip itinerary is jam-packed with top attractions, including, Bratislava Castle, Presidential Palace, UFO Bridge, and more. Bratislava Slovakia sits on the Danube River between Budapest and Vienna making it an easy stopover when traveling in the area. Here is how to see the best of Bratislava in one day. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Pro Tip: Save 18 euros on this itinerary with the Bratislava CARD.
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Day Trip Itinerary for Bratislava Slovakia
Morning: Castles, City Walls, and Illusions
9 am Grab a cup of coffee and make your way to Židovská Street. Photograph the House of the Good Shepard (Europe’s narrowest house) and the city wall. Walk up the hill to Bratislava Castle. Check out the gardens and photograph the terrace view of the city.
10 am Head inside Bratislava Castle to see the Grand Staircase. Walk back down the hill to Gallery Multium and explore the illusions. Stop for a coffee break at a sidewalk café.
11 am Take public transportation to the Blue Church and hop off for photographs. Continue on to the Presidential Palace. Check out the sculptures in the garden and watch the Changing of the Guards at noon.
12:30 pm Walkthrough Michael’s Gate on your way to the old town and have lunch at a sidewalk café.
Afternoon: Old Town, Museums, and City Views
2 pm Explore the old town on the guided city walking tour. After the tour, shop for souvenirs, eat pastries, take a selfie with the Cumil Man at Work sculpture, stop in the Bratislava City Gallery to see the Cabinet of Prints, or check out the Period Rooms Museum at Apponyi House.
4 pm Take public transportation to the UFO Bridge. Take pictures of the old town’s rooftops, Bratislava Castle, and Petržalka’s colorfully painted Communist blocks. Relax with a cocktail and a panoramic view before returning to the old town.
Evening: Slovak Food, City Lights, and Cabaret
6 pm Enjoy a traditional Slovak dinner in the old town and have cocktails with a view at Lemontree and Sky Bar.
8 pm Take the Bratislava at night tour or attend the show at Red Cat Cabaret.
Looking for more options? Continue reading for additional things to do in Bratislava to supplement this itinerary.
Additional Things to Do in Bratislava Slovakia
Have more time? Supplement this day trip itinerary with these additional things to do in Bratislava.
- See the Slavin War Memorial
- Wander the old town and people-watch in the main square
- Visit St Martin’s Cathedral and tour the catacombs
- Take a traditional food tour
- Climb the tower of Old Town Hall or Michael’s Gate for city views
- Browse the contemporary art at the Galéria Nedbalka
- Photograph Grassalkovich Palace and wander the Baroque Gardens
- Get an adrenaline rush on the UFO skywalk
- Get your history fix on a Post Communism Tour
- Check out the embassies and mansions of Hviezdoslavovo Square
- Relax next to the Maximilian Fountain
- Browse the Jewish Community Museum
- Check out the view into Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic from the Kamzik TV tower
- Browse the Museum of Transport
- Photograph the Slovak National Theater
- Stroll the Comenius University Botanical Gardens
- Take a walk on the Danube Promenade
- Photograph the architecture of the Radio and Television Slovakia
- Walk down Dunajska Street and enjoy the street art
- Check out Petržalka soviet style tenement housing
- Photograph the whimsical Hotel Galeria Spirit
- Drink Zlaty Bazant, Slovak Beer
- Eat potato pancakes and deep-fried cheese
- Make potato dumplings during the Bratislava Cooking Workshop
- Take a cruise on the Danube River to Devin Castle
- Taste 72 wines in 100 minutes at the National Collection of Wines
- Photograph Baroque architecture of Trinity Church
- Enjoy the old town’s café culture
- Take the medieval times’ food and wine tour
- Go on a wine safari through the Little Carpathian vineyards
- Learn about Slovakian handcrafts on the Slovak Folk Majolica Tour
- Have a beer at Dunajský Pivovar
- Spend a day in the sun and relax at Zlaté Piesky Lake
- Dance the night away at The Club
- Explore the Little Carpathian Mountains at Bratislava Forest Park
Check the Bratislava Slovakia Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan Your Trip to Bratislava Slovakia
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Bratislava Slovakia Attractions and Day Tours
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