A Memorable Day Trip in Bratislava (a full itinerary included)
Last updated February 14, 2024
Main square in Old Town, City Center
Bratislava is a capital city of Slovakia. This beautiful city has many things to offer and I wish more people know about it. In comparison to other European cities, Bratislava is an underrated destination.
And quite frankly, when my friend recommended us to take a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava on the weekend, I secretly thought to myself. Really? It was simply because I didn’t know much about the city. And I love Vienna so much that I wanted to make the most out of my time in there. But thanks to him! We discovered many great things in Bratislava and I was impressed by the local’s warm hospitality and that makes our trip memorable.
A one-day trip isn't enough time to see everything, but it's enough to visit the top sights and enjoy a relaxing day of exploration. I would encourage you to consider this city for a consideration. And in this blog, I have listed a detailed travel plans that you can too enjoy for a day trip in Bratislava.
Let’s the adventure begin
Bratislava is located by the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. Traveling from Vienna to Bratislava is very easy and convenient. Did you know that traveling by train from Vienna to Bratislava is one of the quickest international trips between big cities worldwide?
We took the train and the journey lasted around an hour and the cost of the ticket may differ based on the time of day and the train option you select. A one-way ticket would cost around €11 to €30. Along the journey, you can enjoy the scenic view and the next thing you know you’ve reached Bratislava!
Once you’ve reached Bratislava, I would suggest calling Uber. I must say the Uber fare in Bratislava is much cheaper than Vienna so don’t be afraid to call one to save time. For the first stop, I suggest visiting a beautiful Blue Church to kickstart your lovely day!
1. The Blue Church - Church of St. Elizabeth
The Blue Church, also known as the Church of St. Elizabeth, is the most famous and popular attraction in Bratislava. It is considered highly photogenic and frequently featured on Instagram. As it is a place of sacred, we tried to be respectful during the ceremony when we visited. The church is unique and not like anything we have seen before.
The church was built from 1907 to 1913, designed by famous architect Ödön Lechner in the Hungarian Secessionist style, also called Art Nouveau. Its beauty is a truly fairytale-like and I would highly recommend you to visit.
The church is open daily for services and prayers (no entrance fee).
2. Shopping at Varieta kvetinová farma, Grösslingová
Honestly, I did not plan to start shopping so soon! But as soon as I saw this flower shop, I had to stop and take a look. They have nice decoration of both fresh and dried flowers. You can see the details in the arrangement… and I could not help myself but to buy the dried flower wreath home. I’ve never seen this kind of wreath in Thailand before.
The shop is owned by a local and it is not far from the Blue Church. So if you want to support a local business, come check it out :)
This beautiful ceiling is just so fabulous!
After our mini shopping trip, we slowly made our way through the city to the shopping area where our brunch spot is located. Throughout the journey, don’t forget to look up. The portcullis hanging over Laurinská Street marks the spot where the Laurinc Gate once stood. It’s quite interesting I think.
3. Breakfast at Urban House
Since we left Vienna early in the morning, at this point, we were starving! We decided to try Urban House, which is one of the most recommended spots and is known for its unique disco toilet (you’ll be surprised!).
The waitress was very friendly and welcoming to us. The atmosphere has cool and chill vibe. They have two seating areas; indoor and outdoor. And since the weather was lovely then, we decided to sit outdoor to enjoy people watching.
We ordered a few things to share. The live DJ playing upbeat hip-hop tracks also added the perfect finishing touch to this already buzzing spot. So yes, I would definitely recommend you to check out this place for your visit to Bratislava.
4. Say Hi to Čumil and stroll around the Old Town
From a restaurant, it's an easy walk to the famous Čumil status. This quirky bronze statue of a man peeping out from a manhole cover is the city's most popular and photographed statue. Its funny and surprising location reflects the city's fun-loving nature, making it a top spot for tourists to come take photo. So don’t forget to stop by and say hi to him.
How to get here
After a relaxing stroll, we thought it would be timely to check out the local cafe which is my favorite thing to do when I visit any city. And after a bit of Google search and trusting my instinct, my friend and I decided to try this cool cafe for a a quick coffee break.
5. Caffeine boost at black
black (location: gorkého) serves speciality coffee, pastry and cakes. I personally like its branding and the cup design. The coffee was delicious and flavorful.
For the atmosphere, it is nicely decorated with the minimal style with indoor green plant. And I love the touch of parade flag showing the support to LGBTQ community. Worth a try!
6. Food Festival (Surprise find!)
The festival gods smiled upon us! We stumbled upon a vegan and vegetarian food festival and grabbed tickets, curious to explore and ready to pounce on anything yummy. Sadly, the long queue for food deterred us, so we decided to leave. But hey, it was still worth it!
Don't you just love stumbling upon unexpected fun during your travels?
Even the smallest things can spark joy.
7. Relax at Námestie SNP Square
Námestie SNP, also called Slovak National Uprising Square, is an important square in the city. You can take a seat and unwind here. This square is historically significant as it honors the Slovak National Uprising, a key anti-Nazi movement during World War II. An impactful obelisk monument stands in the center, representing the bravery and sacrifice of the uprising.
How to get here
8. Late lunch at Bratislava Flagship
Since we only have one day in Bratislava, we must eat local dishes before departure. And after a diligent research, Bratislava Flagship pop up as a must-visit place for Slovak food and great beer. We ordered a platter of dumplings to start. Their creamy texture and subtle sourness beautifully complemented the roasted pork ribs that we ordered.
For two Asians, the portion size was quite generous. So my fellow Asian travelers, consider sharing these dishes among three people for a more comfortable experience so that you can save room for dessert later! The restaurant also has its own brewed beer, which you shouldn't miss. Trust me, it's delicious and incredibly affordable.
Overall, we were happy by the atmosphere, the food, and the service. This is definitely a place I'd recommend to anyone visiting! But if you have more time and want to explore more on what to eat in Bratislava, watch this YouTube video for recommendations.
9. Continue exploring the Old Town to see key attractions
Let’s walk it off after a heavy meal. We continued walking and explore key attractions such as St. Martin Cathedral and Old Town Hall. Too bad that we didn’t have enough time to go up to UFO observation deck. But at least, we got to admire it from afar.
We didn’t have enough time this time to visit Bratislava Castle.
10. Buying souvenir & gifts at Medový obchod CERA MEL
Medový obchod CERA MEL (Honey Shop) is a retail shop with everything honey. I was excited to see this concept and amazed by how many products can be made out of honey! In Thailand, we eat honey with drinks but I never see honey as a soap! The website says that this is a family business where the dad takes care of bees, mom manages the production at the bee farm in the village of Choča and the children manage the retail business. I think the story is quite cute.
I bought many things from this shop as gifts to my family, friends and colleagues in Bangkok. My recommendation is the flavored honey. It is flavorful and not too sweet. Perfect spread for your morning toast - strawberry flavor. They also have many cute cosmetics products like hand lotion and lip balm.
As a tourist, I try to support the local businesses as much as I can. And so can you! Plus, your money won’t go to waste because the products here have great quality.
11. Admire the view of Danube river before
boarding on the cruise to go back to Vienna
Bratislava is nestled along the majestic Danube River so going back to Vienna via boat is ideal and I highly recommend. On our trip, I used the service from Twin City Liner. Both levels have outlets for charging phones and other devices, as well as free Wi-Fi. The high-speed catamaran is fully air-conditioned and accessible for people with disabilities. The economy ticket starting price at € 34 per one way per person.
Boats usually don't run from October to March. In the off-peak season (March to April, September to October), they have a limited schedule, running only a few days a week. In the peak season, boats run regularly with multiple departures per day. So please double check the schedule and pricing again on the website for the latest update.
The Danube is Europe's second-longest river in Europe, running through Central and Southeastern Europe from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.
Taking a day trip to another country is made easy in Europe because borders are close to each other. So don’t forget to include a day trip to somewhere into your trip and you will be amazed the same way I was with Bratislava. If I have a chance to go back to Bratislava again, I would love to visit Bratislava Castle, Primacial Palace and Presidential Palace. So if you have a chance to visit, don’t forget to include these into your travel plans.
For more recommendations, visit Bratislava Tourist Board.
Oh, once you are back to Vienna, if you still have an energy left like us! Enjoy a glass of cocktail at one of many bars at The Danube Canal (Donaukanal) where the boat will be board. Hope my full Itinerary of one day trip in Bratislava is useful and informative to you. Like always, happy fun travels and stay tuned for future blogs!
