Slovak Culture and History in Bratislava, Slovakia - 24-Hour Travel Guide
Bratislava Castle offers fantastic city views (courtesy Flickr: closelyobserved.co m)
The changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace
The quaint medieval streets of Old Town Bratislava
The national dish of Slovakia: halusky (courtesy Flickr: UnorthodoxY)
Overview - Let’s face it – Bratislava does not have the best reputation. After several Hollywood films smeared the city’s name through the mud, most people have a very negative idea about the Slovak capital city. However, this is a city that will change your mind. Spend the day meandering the streets of old town and learning what Slovak culture really has to offer.
Breakfast - Try a bageta for breakfast. This is a simple sandwich that you can get with several types of fillings, the most common being eggs, cheese and ham – all stuffed into a French-style baguette. The best place to score a bageta is in a typical Bratislavan cafeteria like Zelená Ulica.
Morning -
Bratislava has one of the best preserved medieval Old Towns in Europe. This morning, you should simply stroll through the center of town. You can literally see most of the city on foot in half a day, and you’ll be amazed by the lovely architecture and cleanliness of Bratislava. Some of the sites in Old Town that you shouldn’t miss include the Old Town Hall, which has a steep clock tower and dungeons. Also make sure to stroll by the Presidential Palace, just outside Old Town, where you might catch a glimpse of the changing of the guard.
You should definitely hike up to Bratislava Castle. Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, this was once the main defence fortress for the area. Nowadays, it offers fantastic views of the city and the Danube River.
Lunch - Ever wondered what Slavic food is like? For lunch, try Bryndzové halušky, which are unique small dumplings filled with sheep’s cheese. You may also want to have a go at the traditional garlic soup, and wash it all down with some Slovak white wine. Prašná bašta is a recommendable restaurant in Old Town.
Afternoon - Bratislava is home to a handful of great museums. If you’re interested in ancient history, check out the Gerulata, a museum dedicated solely to Roman history. The site itself is actually former Roman military camp, and the museum showcases lots archaeological findings dating to between the 2nd and 4th centuries. For art, head to the National Gallery, which features an interesting collection of both Slovak and European visual arts; or for modern art, head to the Danubiana Art Museum on the southern outskirts of the city.
Dinner - Have the traditional national meal of Slovakia, halusky, which is a dish of thick, soft flour or potato dumplings. The best place to try this is at the 1st Slovak Pub on Obchodna Street. This traditional style Slovakian pub claims to be the largest restaurant in Bratislava, but the interior feels cozy, with several small rooms decked out in worn wooden tables and traditional décor.
After Dark - There is no shortage of places to go drinking in Bratislava, and beer tends to be on the cheap side here. Many beers are brewed locally and served in steins for hearty drinkers. Try a pub crawl through Old Town stopping at several bars like Kristian, Bar Parada, and AeroPressoDepresso.
Sleep - There are quite a few hostels in Bratislava, as the city has become popular with backpackers in the past few years. Downtown Backpackers Hostel is one of the best, though it can get quite noisy with large groups staying there. They have a comfy bar downstairs and all the amenities of a regular hostel. Clean and comfy, too.