Slovakia: Bratislava

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt’s Bratislava remains the only standalone guide from a major publisher that is dedicated to this compact and increasingly popular capital of Slovakia – declared by the legendary Casanova as ‘the most beautiful city in Europe’ (and he knew a thing or two about beauty). Situated by the mighty Danube River and nestling in the Small Carpathian Mountains, with new downtown skyscrapers overlooking refurbished old buildings, Bratislava is indeed a good-looking city, filled with good-looking people who seem to enjoy life.

Bratislava is a city that effortlessly blends history with hedonism, where world-class restaurants have been joined by a clutch of artisan coffee houses and literary tea- and bookshops. Local winemakers are going from strength to strength, with orange and natural wines becoming a speciality, while microbreweries are producing all sorts of dark beers and IPAs as well as pilsners.

Split into ten easy-to-follow chapters, Bradt’s Bratislava contextualises your visit by summarising local politics and cultural etiquette, then advises on planning, practical information, local transport (including the expanding bike-sharing scheme), accommodation, eating and drinking, entertainment, nightlife and shopping. City walks are also included, focusing on the main sights and beyond, as is sightseeing from castles and palaces to museums, galleries, churches, gardens and parks. Beyond the city itself there are sections on Devín, Cervený Kamen, Ancient Gerulata, Rusovce, the Small Carpathian Wine Route, Senec, Pieštany Spa, Trnava and Košice (in eastern Slovakia). There are also useful reference sections on language (pronunciation and words and phrases) and sources of further information.

Bratislava’s small size is satisfying: compact and visitor-friendly, it offers many superbly curated museums rivalling those in Budapest and Vienna plus an opera house and the Slovak National Gallery (reopened in 2022 following a lengthy refurbishment). With a range of airlines flying into the city and Košice, plus the rail link to Vienna being upgraded, Bratislava is the perfect destination for a weekend break, a romantic city break, a family holiday or as a base for discovering the rest of Slovakia. With Bradt’s Bratislava you’ll have everything you need for a successful trip.