As the capital of Slovakia,
Bratislava is a logical starting point
for your trip. It’s also easy
to reach by air, car, train
or Danube River cruise/hydrofoil from
Austria (2 miles) or Hungary (8 miles)
or the Czech Republic (40 miles).
And it’s easy to explore because
it’s compact and walkable. There’s
even a historic red sightseeing
tram that makes a circuit
of the main sights.
Filled with historical monuments
and relics dating back to the early
Stone Age, Bratislava is
both old and new. It has survived
the Celts, the Romans, the Kingdom
of Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian Empire
and Soviet domination.
Bratislava is also one of the youngest
capitals in Europe. Of a total population
of 450,000, some 60,000
are students at three universities.
This -- and
the diversity of people
-- gives the city vibrancy
and dynamism.
You can feel it in the extraordinary
number of cafes, bars and
clubs in the narrow streets, cellars
and courtyards of the mostly-pedestrianized
Old Town. You’ll want
to spend most of your time there,
soaking up both historical ambience
and youthful energy .
Bratislava is the most cosmopolitan,
accessible city in Slovakia for Americans
to visit. It has the best
restaurants – with a wide selection
of cuisines – the best cafes,
bars, and entertainment – including
operas and symphonies, folk music
and dance and international pop culture.
Although still inexpensive
by Western standards –
say, $15 for a good dinner for two
including wine or beer -- prices in
Bratislava are the highest in Slovakia.
Speaking of wine, take time to enjoy
the wine villages just outside the
city – vineyards start
in the northern suburbs on
the slopes of the Small Carpathian
mountains. Bratislava has warmer
temperatures and more sunshine
than the rest of the country –
good for grapes and good for people!
The city hosts a large number of
festivals and special events
throughout the year featuring folk
and contemporary art, wine, beer,
historical re-enactments, classical
music, jazz, dance, and just plain
craziness (come for April Fool’s
Day!).
Heavily influenced throughout history
by Germans, Austrians, Hungarians
and its pre-WWII Jewish population,
Bratislava is the most sophisticated
and least typical town in the country.
To get an idea of what Slovakia is
all about, we recommend staying just
a little longer and discover one or
two other towns (see
our itineraries section) |
