10 Fun Things to Do in Bratislava in 2026

A beautiful town located on the Danube River, Bratislava is Slovakia's capital and largest city.

At the seat of culture, politics, and the economy, Bratislava has it all - art and history museums, universities, the parliament, and tons of restaurants and shopping. There's also newer areas of town surrounding a historic old town.

If you're planning a trip to Bratislava and are looking for the most fun things to do, we've compiled a list of some of our favorites. Some are more educational, others are simply for the fun of it. Either way, these are some of the spots you're ultimately going to want to see during your time in the Schengen area.

Bratislava Castle

The backdrop of the city, Bratislava Castle dates back to the 9th Century, at least in its location.

Unfortunately, like many European castles and cities, it was destroyed in a fire in the early 1800s. It wasn't rebuilt for over 150 years, until the project to rebuild it began in the 1960s.

While the castle sits on a hill above town, there are paths that allow you to walk directly there from Bratislava's Old Town.

At the castle, you'll see incredible views of both Bratislava and the Danube. There are also landscaped gardens around it.

While the castle is beautiful, it is a bit sparse on the inside, but that just leaves room to the imagination.

Make sure you check online ahead of time to see how to get your tickets.

Blue Church

An icon in Bratislava's Old Town, the Blue Church is an Art Nouveau Catholic Church that has become famous because of its unusual color and design.

It was build at the end of the Art Nouveau Period and was designed by Ödön Lechner, a Hungarian architect famous for grandiose style.

The church was originally built as part of a school, but today is its own entity.

You can visit Blue Church, but keep in mind that it is very small inside and their open hours are fairly narrow, so check online ahead of time.

Old Town

Called Staré Mesto, Bratislava's Old Town is in the very center of the city. It's a Medieval center, meaning the streets are winding and narrow, and there are many small shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants on either side.

If you like old architecture and history, this will likely be your favorite part of town since many of the buildings here date back to the 15th to 18th centuries.

There's a main square in the Old Town that often has events like open air markets or festivals.

The entire area is beautiful, but keep in mind it can get crowded, especially during the height of tourist season (the summer).

Devín Castle

While it isn't in Bratislava technically, it's just out of town (about 6-7 miles away).

The picture kind of makes it look like a large rock, but once you get closer, you'll see the ruins of an ancient fortress, strategically located between both the Danube and Morava Rivers.

This is one of the oldest things you will see in Bratislava, as it dates all the way back to the Neolithic era.

In 1809, Devín Castle was ambushed and destroyed by Napoleon's troops, so today it sits as just a memory to what once was.

St. Martin's Cathedral

Very recognizable via Bratislava's city skyline, St. Martin's Cathedral pops up over Old Town.

This Gothic Church is very significant in Slovakian history and culture, as the former coronation site for Hungarian Kings.

Actually, in the Medieval era, St. Martin's Cathedral was one of the tallest buildings constructed, so you can imagine the opulence back in the day.

It's a bit hard to see from far away with the naked eye, but at the very top of the spire there is a crown. This crown symbolizes the Crown of Saint Stephen. It alone weighs over 600 pounds.

Open hours vary and at times are limited.

Slavín War Memorial

Just north of Old Town, on Slavín Hill, sits the Slavín War Memorial (it's a 20-30 minute walk from the city center).

This monument was built in remembrance of Soviet soldiers who died liberating Bratislava in 1945.

If you're interested in Communist history, it was built during Slovakia's Communist era. The obelisk is massive at nearly 130 feet high.

The walk up is a bit steep, and it can get hot up there in the summer, so make sure you bring your sunscreen and water.

Eurovea

Not a landmark or monument, Eurovea is a riverfront neighborhood in Bratislava that is just east of the Old Town.

It's much more modern than other parts of the city and has lots of stores and restaurants. Parts of it are also a bit residential.

It was developed in the early 20-teens for a few reasons, one of them to attract international stores and brands. It worked. Today, the riverfront has great shopping, pop-ups and markets, and delicious food.

Because it's a bit more residential and local, it's a good spot to get a feel for what living in Bratislava is really like day in and day out.

Presidential Palace

Located in the Old Town, the Presidential Palace is where the Slovakian President actually lives.

Still, you can get pretty up close to it.

The palace itself was built in 1760 in a Rococo design, and has been hosted many-an aristocratic ball, Mozart's concerts, and other posh events.

The gardens are open to the public, and if you're lucky, you might see one of the cats on the property wandering around.

Note: It isn't possible to go inside of the palace because it's a private residence, but the gardens are free to meander.

Michael's Gate

Smack dab in the center of Bratislava's Old Town, Michael's Gate is one of the oldest things you'll see. It's the only surviving city gate from the Medieval era.

For context, Bratislava's Old Town used to be surrounded by a protective, Medieval gate (as many European cities were). This is the last bit still standing.

It was originally built in the 1200s, but rebuilt in a different style in the 18th century. Inside of it today is a weapon's museum.

It is truly "smack dab". Michael's Gate is also the zero kilometer point of the city.

Bratislava's UFO

A sort of unusual attraction, but really cool nonetheless is Bratislava's "UFO". This UFO is on top of the Most SNP Bridge, which crosses the Danube.

Shaped to look like a UFO, it is both an observation deck and a restaurant (it has a similar look and feel to Seattle's famous Space Needle).

Designed to be a bit inconspicuous, you can get up to the deck via a surprisingly fast elevator ride. A lot of people who visit it argue it has the best views of Bratislava.

If you're interested, make sure you get tickets, as they're required to head up to the deck.

Other helpful resources

• Do you need a visa for Slovakia? Find out in our Slovakia Visa Guide.
• Studying abroad or moving to Slovakia? Learn about Slovakian long stay visas.
• Are you a US or UK citizen? Make sure you're up to date on the most recent news about applying for an ETIAS for Slovakia.