On the way to India, Travel Enthusiasts from the blog Traveling Together are traveling across Europe by bus Links12 and sharing with you great deals, tips, and tricks through their articles!
Ninth Stop: Bratislava.
Bratislava is one of the smallest capitals in Europe. In fact, while the city is quite expansive, tourists rarely take the time to explore outside its center, which can be visited in a day without rushing. Since we had four days there, we took the opportunity to explore a bit of the surroundings. Are you joining us?
The Michael’s Gate
Of the four gates that once surrounded Bratislava, only one remains standing: Michael’s Gate. Built in the 14th century, its appearance has been somewhat modified due to necessary renovations. Quite pretty, it opens onto a very commercial and often lively street.
St. Elizabeth’s Church
More commonly known as The Blue Church of Bratislava, this modern church, built in the Art Nouveau style, exudes a very particular charm. It looks like it came straight out of a Hansel and Gretel story, as its walls seem covered in colorful sugar paste!
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle offers not only a beautiful panorama of the city below but also houses significant museum collections, whether on the history of the city or the archaeological treasures of Slovakia, as well as on the history of music.
Statues of Bratislava
You will encounter various statues in the center of Bratislava, including one of Napoleon. Searching for them all allows you to take a fun little tour to better discover the city. Our favorite: the one of Andersen. Let’s start the statue hunt!
The Historical Center
We give you three hours to visit the historical center of Bratislava. Do you think we are exaggerating? Well, see for yourselves. This is truly what you call a human-sized city center. It’s quite relaxing, in fact, no need to rush, which is refreshing…
Devin Castle
The old Devin Castle is now in ruins, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit. First of all, the ruins themselves are quite impressive, and if that weren’t enough, the site is ideally located at the confluence of the Danube and Morava. Here, the view is simply magnificent.
A Walk in the Forest
Since the walk in the city is rather quick, how about a little walk in the forest? From the city center, you can take a trolley or train, and a small countryside trail leads you to the television tower. The walk lasts about an hour, it’s quite steep, but the place is as peaceful as it is pleasant.
The Television Tower
Since you have made all this effort in the forest to reach the foot of the television tower, it would really be a shame not to take the elevator to enjoy the highest panorama in the country. While the restaurant is quite expensive, the bar is affordable and the elevator is free, so now is really not the time to be stingy.
The Slovak National Uprising Bridge
Alright, it’s a bridge, but not just any bridge… Besides its evocative name, you have certainly noticed that it is topped with a kind of flying saucer, which is enough to make us like it. Note that it is possible to go up into the UFO to enjoy the view. If you didn’t have time to go to the television tower, now is perhaps the moment to gain some height.
Svaty Jur
So, you have toured Bratislava? Before taking the Links12 bus back, take one last train ride to the small village of Svaty Jur. It’s the first village after leaving the city. While the station may not look impressive, rest assured, we are not trying to set a trap for you. The town center, a little further on, is much more charming, and after a break at the Korso cafe, head to a second forest for another ruined castle. This time, we promise, you’ve seen the essentials!
Our Good Addresses:
Where to Eat?
Generally, we try to avoid tourist restaurants, but this one was recommended by a local, so we decided to give it a try, and we were not disappointed. You can taste local specialties at a really reasonable price and all in a setting as impressive as it is warm.
Where to Sleep?
The Patio Hostel remains the cheapest and most known address in the city. Well, it’s a youth hostel, so be prepared. At this price (106€ for four nights for two), you should expect encounters with travelers and a very young atmosphere.
Some Culinary Specialties
The local specialty is a dish of homemade gnocchi in a sheep cheese sauce. I hate sheep cheese, and I love this dish, so please do me a favor and honor Slovak cuisine: give it a try. It is also available in the form of ravioli, equally delicious.
Practical Information
The journey by Links12 bus between Prague and Bratislava is very quick: about 3 hours. The bus station is a bit distant from the city center, but it is accessible by trolleybus for only 0.70 cents.
Reservations:
As Travel Enthusiasts head to Bratislava:
> Reserve your cheap trip to Bratislava with Links12
> Book your accommodation in Bratislava
Happy visiting!
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