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As much as I love Venice and its romantic canals, Paris with its elegant Haussmannian cityscape and Barcelona’s unique blend of medieval heritage and 21st century daring, mixing with the surging crowds that threaten to overwhelm these cities is definitely not my idea of fun.
Europe is dealing with one serious the problem of overtourism, and it is no surprise that some of these hotspots are taking strict measures to curb arrivals.
Of these, Venice has gone particularly far in denying entry to those who are not ticket holders on certain dates.
Not all However, European gemstones are having a hard time an unheard of city particularly benefit from smaller crowds and cheaper Prices regardless of of season:
Why have we overlooked Slovakia’s beautiful capital for so long?
If, like me, you’re hoping for a stress-free European getaway, without all the public squares full of annoying selfie-takers, without the shoulder bumping as thousands cram into narrow alleys and the long lines at museums, you might consider joining to add Bratislava in Slovakia to your itinerary.
Bratislava is located in Central Europe, a stone’s throw from Vienna in Austria, and a short train ride from Prague in the Czech Republic and Budapest in Hungary, three of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, but for some reason… it is usually bypassed whole.
Very few tourists know it is even there, and those that do often have difficulty distinguishing it from their fellow Slavic sisters Slovenia.
I’m not sure about you, but it’s usually the lesser-known destinations that I don’t know much about that pique our curiosity the most…
So why add Bratislava to your ever-growing European bucket list?
A beautiful medieval capital that most tourists have yet to discover
Bratislava is one of six European capitals located on the banks of the Danube, and the only national capital that is located not on one, but on two different countries– this is when the avid adventurer in you opens a new tab on Google to check if Bratislava has been placed on the map.
If you have, and I suspect you have, you will have noticed that it is literally at the tripoint between the Austro-Hungarian-Slovakian border.
It is a 16-minute drive to Kitsee, on the Austrian side, and 19 minutes to Rajka, the nearest Hungarian village.
Bratislava is heavily influenced, and doubtful by other regional powers over the centuries, having belonged to a succession of empires and states, including the defunct Austro-Hungarian Union and communist Czechoslovakia, before finally being declared the capital of the Slovaks.
It indisputably belongs to the broader Slavic cultural group because of its language, cuisine, customs and former status as a satellite state of the extinct Soviet Union. varied architecture tells us a more complex and equally compelling story:
A window into glorious (and not so glorious) times past
As you admire Bratislava from the UFO Tower, an observation deck atop the only standing pylon of the city’s landmark SNP Bridge, you’ll see a cityscape that not only includes elements of the 20th century modernismas a majority of post-communist capitals do, but also Baroque, RococoAnd medieval.
Bratislava’s rich cultural heritage has not been erased despite centuries of ordeal under socialism:
The terracotta roofs and pointed church towers are still there, largely dormant, the old town is still surrounded by walls and acts as a barrier between past and future, and the whitewashed Bratislava Castle continues to stand proudly on the central hill and keep watch about the city.
Bratislava does famous for its many contrasts: you’re just as likely to come across the usual rows of grey, uninspiring apartment buildings that were so incredibly common in the Eastern Bloc, as well as Art Nouveau masterpieces like the blue-eyed Church of St. Elizabeth.
At least it serves as a window to the inside three bygone eras:
The turbulent Middle Ages, with cobbled alleys and imposing anti-attack fortresses, the 19th century splendor, evident in ornate facades and stately palatial complexes, and the socialist era, best represented by Bratislava’s concrete-dominated suburbs.
Bratislava is walkable and less crowded
Apart from its vastly underestimated cultural value, so is Bratislava whole walkable: Most sights are within walking distance of each other, and the extensive network of trams and buses makes it easy to reach more remote sights outside the old city, such as the ruined Devin Castle.
And the best part is that fewer tourists go out of their way to visit Bratislava compared to main regional competitors Vienna or Prague: even during peak summer hours it rarely feels crowded and you can enjoy all that Old World charm without getting caught up to get caught in a hurdle.
Like Bratislava is not overrun by mass tourismThe locals have quite a positive attitude towards guests, unlike Venetians or Parisians who would push you out of the way if there were no consequences. Believe us, we have experienced far too many of these hostile encounters.
I don’t blame Americans for feeling unwelcome crossing the pond, especially as protests against tourism on the Old Continent erupt, but maybe, just maybe, they’re looking for that dip in European culture in the wrong places.
It also helps that Bratislava is not expensive at all by European standards: a plate of gnocchi with sheep’s cheese, or a generous portion of chicken hearts and liver, two Slovak classics, costs $12-15 in a bistrot in the old town, and cheaper outside the city walls.
How cheap is Bratislava?
If you are not traveling on a budget, You will be charged $21 average at the mid-range, historic Bratislava Flagship brewery, while dinners with a luxury twist at the city’s most expensive restaurant, in the aforementioned UFO Tower, cost $41-$52.
Bratislava is certainly no Tirana or Skopje, but among its European peers it is certainly on the cheaper side, with hotel stays in the modern Nove Mesto and Ruzinov districts. from just $52 per night; the closer you get to the Old Town, or Stare Mesto, the more expensive the hotels are.
Even then I’m talking $74 for a single room Elisabeth old town$86 for a private double room at the Ibis Bratislava Centerand an affordable $101 for a spacious, executive room room at the chic Mamaison residence Sulekova.
A total of one week’s stay in Bratislava costs less than a thousand dollars in total – or more specifically: $913 or the equivalent in euros – comparable to the reported travel costs for other Central Eastern European cities Prague, Budapest and Zagreb (in Croatia).
The most important part: how are you? to get to Bratislava?
One of the best connected capitals in Europe
It goes without saying that Bratislava’s small airport does not operate transatlantic flights, but on the other hand it is served by budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, which offer cheap flights from certain European destinations. from $18.
However, for most travelers in Europe, flying isn’t the most convenient way to get to Slovakia, as most routes are seasonal and those ultra-cheap holiday deals are actually harder to come by, even with Ryanair, unless your departure point is elsewhere. such as London-Luton.
If you are already in Central Europe (Vienna, Prague or Budapest), visiting Bratislava is not a Homeric trek: taking trains between the Austrian and Slovak capitals less than an hour to complete the journey without delays, and many tourists from Vienna even visit Bratislava as a day trip.
I wouldn’t recommend you do that because this is truly an incredible city with so much to offer, not to mention the whole country, but you should know that it’s perfectly feasible if you simply want to check off a few highlights and cross one more country off the to-go list.
Day trips are also possible from Budapest, with a total travel distance of 2h25; from Prague it is more difficult because it is four hours by train, but our point is: Bratislava is accessibleand incredibly well connected to a number of (much more popular) tourist destinations.
I visited Bratislava itself from Vienna and tickets start from $12; my only regret?
I wish I had spent more time in Slovakia than just a few days.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
