Luxury Bratislava Holidays
Overview
Welcome to Bratislava, the capital of newly independent Slovakia. Spend your days strolling through the pastel-hued Old Town or visiting the hilltop castle. In this hip city, you’ll find 18th-century squares next to socialist-era monuments and concrete urban structures. Bratislava is the ideal destination for a luxury holiday or city break.
Cruise an hour down the river from Vienna and you’ll soon discover a different world. Bratislava is where East meets West as its timeless Old Town blends seamlessly with socialist-style buildings. It may not be love at first sight but this charming city will capture your heart.
Ease into your day in Hlavné nám (Main Square) as you experience Bratislava’s cafe culture at a local coffee shop. While you’re here, make sure to check out the 14th century Old Town Hall and Municipal Museum. With its pedestrian-friendly streets, you can easily spend an enjoyable morning wandering the Old Town.
A twenty-minute walk south lies Bratislava Castle, a must-see for anyone visiting this city. Resembling something from a fairytale, Bratislava Castle watches over the city from its hilltop location. The climb to the top is well worth the views of the River Danube. After such an active day, relax in a steam-filled sauna or jacuzzi at one of Bratislava’s fabulous spas.
When To Visit
Bratislava is a great destination any time of year. Summer temperatures can reach 27°C while winter temperatures can be as low as -3°C. But don’t let chillier weather put you off as Bratislava is special year-round. How you’d like to spend your days should influence when you should visit.
If you want to explore nearby hiking trails or cruise the river, summer is great. If you'd rather experience the nearby mountain ski resorts or the magic of the Old Town covered in snow, then visit in winter.
Food & Drink
Whether you enjoy a meal with a view over the city or as you watch the River Danube flow by, Bratislava’s restaurant scene is a feast for the senses. Slovak cuisine borrows flavours and techniques from neighbouring nations to truly create unique dishes.
Most restaurants source food locally and change their menus with each season. Visit one of Bratislava’s excellent wine bars to sample wine locally produced in the Tokaj region. Tokaj wine is a naturally sweet, dry wine and has been praised by emperors, presidents, writers, and even popes.
Passport & Visas
Slovakia is a member of the Schengen Area so visitors from the EU and many other nations don’t require visas. For non-EU citizens, you may have limits on how long you can stay. Learn more about visas and general travel advice at GOV.UK.
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TRAVEL AWARE – PREPARING FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ABROAD
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to travelaware.campaign.gov.uk
Current travel health information can be found by visiting travelhealthpro.org.uk/ a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.
