Slovakia Archives - Bratislava Guide

Cities worth visiting within a 300km radius of Bratislava.

Posted on March 29, 2023March 29, 2023 by Bratislava Guide

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a charming city with a rich history and culture. However, there are also many other destinations worth exploring within a radius of 300km from Bratislava. From picturesque medieval towns to stunning natural landscapes, here are some of the top locations near Bratislava worth visiting.

If you come to Bratislava, you should obviously spend some days discovering the city first. But if you have more time left and want to see even more, these destinations are all within 300km of Bratislava. As a result, you can easily reach them within a couple of hours of driving (or less).

Places worth visiting near Bratislava.

Vienna, Austria (67 km)

Just a short drive from Bratislava, Vienna is a city that needs no introduction. The imperial capital of Austria is famous for its stunning architecture, grand palaces, and world-class museums. Visitors can explore the historic center, attend a classical concert, or enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many traditional cafes.

Highlights include the Imperial Palace, the Belvedere Palace, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the famous coffeehouses where you can enjoy a cup of Viennese coffee and a slice of Sachertorte.

Budapest, Hungary (197 km)

The capital of Hungary is a vibrant city that straddles the Danube River. Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, grand architecture, and buzzing nightlife. Visitors can explore the historic Buda Castle, relax in a traditional spa, or take a river cruise to see the city from a different perspective.

Highlights include the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Chain Bridge, and the famous thermal baths such as Gellert and Széchenyi.

High Tatras, Slovakia (231 km)

For nature lovers, the High Tatras mountain range is a must-visit destination. The Tatras are the highest range in the Carpathian Mountains and offer stunning scenery, hiking trails, and winter sports opportunities. Visitors can stay in charming mountain towns like Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso and explore the rugged terrain.

Brno, Czech Republic (130 km)

Brno is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, known for its rich history, cultural landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere. There are plenty of things worth seeing and doing in Brno. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Spilberk Castle, a historic fortress that has been used as a prison, barracks, and now a museum. You should also take a look at Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important examples of modern architecture in Europe. If you come with kids, the Brno Zoo is popular, and if you like high speeds you should visit the Masaryk Circuit hosting the Czech MotoGP and other racing events.

Prague, Czech Republic (330 km)

I realize that Prague is more than 300 km from Bratislava, but it is still worth mentioning in an article like this one. The city is the capital city of the Czech Republic, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It is known for its beautiful architecture, delicious food, and famous landmarks such as the Charles Bridge, the Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town square, and the Jewish quarter.

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic (230 km)

Would you like to visit a mighty little town with an awesome atmosphere in the Czech Republic? Only 230 km distance from Bratislava you will find the city of Cesky Krumlov. The city is on the UNESCO World Heritage site list and if you get there you will quickly understand why. The surrounding area might not be beautiful, but once you walk into the old town, you will stand amazed at what you see and the mighty castle surrounding a part of the center.

Sopron, Hungary (95 km)

Sopron isn’t far from Bratislava, making it a place easy to visit while in Bratislava. The city isn’t very special, but it has a very nice city center and makes it ideal if you want to taste Hungarian food and travel home able to say that you have been to Hungary during your trip to Slovakia. Some of the highlights in Sopron include the old town, the fire tower, and the Karoly lookout tower.

Familypark, Austria (72 km)

If you travel with kids you shouldn’t tell them about this option unless you seriously consider going there. If you tell them about it without going there, you will suffer from kids who complain a lot later. Familypark is an amusement park in Austria (not far from Bratislava). It is a fantastic place for the entire family with rollercoasters and lots of other fun things to do.The park attracts visitors from Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia every year between April and the end of October. Your kids will love you for taking them to this place!

Schneeberg, Austria (170 km)

Forget about city sightseeing and shopping. Schneeberg is the place to go if you want to climb a mountain and enjoy the fresh air at above 2000 meters. You can travel to the top by train, or you can walk to the top and sleep in a cabin at the top. There are many options, but this is recommended for those who want adrenaline and a stunning view.

What will you do? Where will you go?

We have shared lots of ideas and suggestions for day excursions from Bratislava in this article. Which sounds most tempting to you? We would love to hear your thoughts. If you have gone to any of these places and ready to share your experience, write a comment below.

Eating in Hacienda in Bratislava – Worth the money?

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Bratislava Guide

Hacienda is a restaurant located in the heart of Bratislava, easy to spot, and with lots of tempting food on the menu. But, is it worth the time and the money?

We recently wrote about our dinner in Los Mexikas in Bratislava which was a total disaster. But, what about our stay in Hacienda in Bratislava?

The first impression of Hacienda is way better than the Los Mexikas impression. The place looks nice both from the outside and on the inside, and the menus make you hungry!

The prices of the restaurant are just average, not very cheap, but not at all that expensive either. In other words, if you want to eat dinner in Bratislava at an average price, Hacienda might be a good option for you!

The food we were served in Hacienda Bratislava

The menu in Hacienda is packed with food that most people will like, meaning that families can easily visit the place and find something that they will like and enjoy at the menu. We ordered a hamburger and a quesadilla.

hamburger in hacienda — The hamburger in Hacienda in Bratislava

The hamburger, as you can see in the picture above, looked nice and everything was fine. It wasn’t a hamburger I would travel to Bratislava to taste, but as an average hamburger, I would judge it to be just fine. If you want a better burger, then there are for sure other places worth visiting in Bratislava, and there is also Lucky 7 Burger in Budapest.

There were lots of different quesadillas at the menu in Hacienda, and they all looked very good. As you can see at the picture above, it looked nice on the plate, and the taste was just the same.

The judgment on the quesadilla was quite similar to the hamburger judgment. It was a great thing to eat for dinner, but not a taste and an experience we would return to the restaurant to taste several times. But, if you like a good quesadilla, it is a sure winner if you pick it from the menu.

The price level in Hacienda Bratislava

How much did this experience cost us? It wasn’t bad at all. The prices for most main courses were between 8 and 20 Euro, with most costing around 10 Euro. In other words, not bad prices at all, and not at all more expensive than most other restaurants in the center of Bratislava.

We have no problem recommending Hacienda as an option for a family dinner in Bratislava. It might not be the best restaurant you will ever visit, but there are for sure a hundred times worse restaurants you could pick!

Conclusion: Hacienda is a safe bet for a safe and good dinner in the Slovakian capital!

Los Mexikas in Bratislava – Worth a visit?

Posted on October 2, 2018October 2, 2018 by Bratislava Guide

A little while ago, I got the chance to visit Los Mexikas in Bratislava. It is a Mexican restaurant located in the heart of the city, and I actually read some good reviews of the restaurant on TripAdvisor before making the visit.

We were fairly hungry and ready to eat as we arrived in Los Mexikas in Bratislava. It was a windy and grey afternoon, so we had to sit outside. The first shock came before entering the restaurant. The pictures of the food on the outside had terrible quality, and my companion said that a restaurant with such pictures of the food outside, is a restaurant to avoid. But, I had read some good reviews, so I convinced my companion to join me for a dinner in Los Mexikas. But, I had to agree… the pictures portraying the food on the outside looked terrible!

Safely on the inside, we got a menu and sat down to eat. The interior was okay, but nothing special. The waiter was really eager to help us out (in a way I would say too eager). We looked through the menu and noticed that the prices were very similar to all the other restaurants in Bratislava (that looked way better). My companion wanted to leave the restaurant again, but once again, I convinced her to stay with me!

Time to order and eat in Los Mexikas

After a while, we ordered our food, and it was quickly served. I don’t like to be negative, but to be honest, the taste in my mouth felt somewhat similar to the quality of the pictures of the food on the outside… I like Mexican food, and I want to be as positive as possible at all times, but this was food that was hard to like and to enjoy.

The picture above might look okay, but the taste wasn’t at all as good as what it looks like on the picture. I am not sure what was missing, but it simply wasn’t a tasty and good experience.

After eating parts of our food we asked for the bill, paid, and left. Considering the fact you can get high-quality food for the same price elsewhere in Bratislava makes me say that I would never return to waste money in Los Mexikas again. Maybe we were unlucky? I don’t know. All I know is that I had to say sorry to my companion as we left, and she could smile at me and say “I told you so!”

Your thoughts of Los Mexikas?

Have you been to Los Mexikas in Bratislava? How did you enjoy the meal? Were we unlucky, or did you have a similar experience as we did? I would love to hear your thoughts about Los Mexikas!

Visit the Devin Castle in Bratislava

Posted on September 13, 2018October 14, 2023 by Bratislava Guide

Devin Castle is one of the most popular places to visit among tourists coming to Bratislava. But, how can you get to Devin Castle? What will you see once you get there?

The fabulous Devin Castle is located on a hill next to the Danube, about 13 kilometers from the city center of Bratislava. It is easy to get to the castle using public transportation, by car, by taxi, and by boat. But, if you decide to pay Devin Castle a visit, what can you expect?

History of Devin Castle

There has been buildings and fortifications at the present spot since the Iron and the Bronze age. The hill on which the castle is located is more than 200 meters above the sea level, and it has a strategic location with splendid view. It is on the border between Austria and Slovakia, and on cloudless days you can enjoy a magnificent view from this place. This is something that people have known for centuries, and has increased the importance of the castle even more.

The castle has been occupied by all sorts of people and nationalities, especially between 13th and the 17th century.

After the Siege of Pressburg in 1809, the retreating forces of Napoleon destroyed the Devin Castle. It might be that they considered it still a threat, and that was the reason for destroying it.

Today we can see the remains of the castle, and also see the result of quite a lot of renovation work. Some archaeological diggings testify of remains of a Roman tower dating from the 1st century, testifying of the importance of this location throughout history.

Visiting Devin Castle today

As you visit Devin Castle today, there are two areas to visit. You have the area down by the Danube, and you have the castle itself on the top of the hill. You should visit both! To visit Devin Castle, you need to buy a ticket. The other part is free to visit and it offers a stunning view as well.

For a very thorough guide on what to see as you visit Devin Castle, visit this site.

The most popular part belonging to Devin Castle is the so-called Maiden’ Tower. This is not located together with the rest of the castle, but down by the Danube. This is a castle that has given name to legends throughout the centuries. This is were imprisoned daughters were willing to jump to spend their lives with whomever they might truly love.

How to get to Devin Castle?

It is very easy to get to Devin Castle from Bratislava. If you have a car, simply type the information in your GPS, and you will get to Devin Castle quickly.

If you want to use public transportation, get to the New Bridge (the bridge with the UFO on). On the side of the bridge which is in the Old Town, you will find the stop of bus 28. Get on this bus and travel to the bus stop Devin. The bus travel time is about 20 minutes. Make sure to have your tickets in order before you get on the bus!

A third option is traveling to Devin Castle by boat. This is a scenic experience, and the boat ride takes about 1 1/2 hours. You will then have somewhere near 2 hours by the castle before the boat will take you back to Bratislava again. You can see the full boat schedule here.

The price for a return ticket with the boat is 13 Euro per adult (as of September 2018).