Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Bratislava, Slovakia

#1 - It is SUPER Clean

One of the things we kept commenting on again and again was how clean Bratislava was. As someone who appreciates cleanliness, this was very nice. The streets seem spotless at times, even with heavy crowds. There are bins everywhere - some even have assistants by the bins to check your rubbish and make sure you’re recycling properly, which takes cleanliness to a whole new level. We also didn’t see as many smokers in Bratislava, so we didn’t see nearly as many cigarette butts thrown onto the streets. It was a nice change of pace from other cities we’ve visited more recently.

#2 - Slovakians Speak English Fairly Well, But Sometimes the Grammatical or Word Choices are Different

Slovakians will understand that most of the world’s population does not speak Slovakian or any sister language, so they will speak English if needed. For the most part, they speak English quite well, but we noticed some moments where we couldn’t quite understand in the context or felt they worded English a little differently from how Americans or Brits might phrase sentences. While some might find it offensive, we found it quite endearing. For example, when we finished our meal at a restaurant, the waiter said, “Ok, can I take your money now?” We got a chuckle out of it but knew he meant he was getting our bill so we could pay. Don’t get alarmed or think it’s rude - it’s kind of them to try English since so many are unable to speak their language.

#3 - Bratislava is Affordable

When we travel somewhere new, we do a lot of research on how much attractions and accommodations cost on average. There are many blogs telling you a list of locations that are affordable or flat out cheap to visit. The problem is twofold: the age of the article and one’s perspective. About 5 years ago, Budapest was an affordable city to visit. Now, it’s quite expensive (the only city we went over our budget for). Bloggers who are from places like New York City or London might find places like Barcelona and Vienna affordable because it seems cheaper than where they live. It may seem reasonable to them, but not so in the mind of someone from rural Missouri. Bratislava, however, truly is affordable because most of the attractions are free. The ones that are not free, like Bratislava Castle, will not break the bank, especially since it’s one of the few attractions that has a fee.

#4 - Hopefully You’re Not A Vegan

As you might have guessed, I am a cheese enthusiast, so naturally I was very happy and content with the local cuisine here. With my husband being a meat-eater, he also enjoyed himself. That being said, it would be very hard to eat local Slovakian food if you’re a vegan. Part of visiting new countries is trying their cuisine, but if you’re a vegan, you might be missing out on most of the main favourites. However, Bratislava has fantastic ethnic food options to please everyone’s taste. While in Old Town, we saw Mexican, Argentine, Thai, Chinese, British, French, and many other types of cuisine represented.

#5 - Bratislava is a Very Walkable City

While we recommend you go out and explore other areas outside of the Old Town, most of the main attractions are within Bratislava’s Old Town. Most of the attractions are right next to each other or within a short walk. Nothing seemed too far for us and we were often casually strolling around the city, taking in the beauty of the architecture and history. Those who cannot walk far distances should not have much issue with Bratislava, although you should watch out for those pesky uneven cobblestones from time to time.

#6 - Slovakia Uses the Euro

Slovakia has been a part of the European Union since 2004 and has used the Euro as its national currency since 2009. We noticed a lot of currency converters around the city, as the city still seems to prefer cash over card. However, you can absolutely use a card for most restaurants and attractions. When we went to souvenir shops, they tended to only accept cash, although it may have just been at the places we shopped at. Either way, it’s usually a good idea to carry some extra cash just in case.

#7 - Tap Water is Very Clean

Another aspect of Bratislava’s cleanliness, and Slovakia in general, is its very clean tap water. According to some sources we read, their filtration and purifying systems are so good that it’s considered some of the cleanest water in Europe. And, it actually tastes really good! We felt we were drinking more water because of how nice and clean it was (definetely cannot say that about other European countries). As someone who always wants to know about tap water safety (from experience), it’s nice to know… and now you know!

#8 - Bratislava is Not Overcrowded By Tourists… Yet

We traveled during what is considered one of Bratislava’s busiest seasons: Christmas. However, it felt rarely crowded wherever we were. It never felt like a ghost town, but you could causally walk around the city and never be bothered by other tourists. This is largely considered a “hidden gem” within Europe - a lot of people don’t think about visiting Slovakia. However, like other cities that had previously been labelled “hidden gem,” it gets more attention and is hidden no more. We suggest visiting Bratislava if you get the chance sooner rather than later because we feel it might be “discovered” in the next 5-10 years and may not feel as magical as it did to us on our trip. Who knows what the future holds for Bratislava, but it should definitely be on your list to travel to!

#9 - Hotels and Airbnb’s are Similar in Price

While we usually go the Airbnb route to save money, we actually found the hotels to be just as reasonable, if not more affordable than an apartment rental. For a luxury hotel, we went with Arcadia Boutique Hotel within the Old Town district. For the giant suite, it was about $350 for the 3 nights over our long weekend. We were greeted with a free glass of wine each, had a giant free breakfast each morning, and had some free goodies in our suite. With all of that, the hotel saved us money over an Airbnb that wouldn’t have been as luxurious. They have a lot of hotels to fit everyone’s budget, so you won’t break the bank!

#10 - You Need 1-2 Days to See Everything in Bratislava

It’s true that you may only need 1-2 days to explore Bratislava, but it will be a nice break from the chaos of other European cities. There is Bratislava Castle, many museums, gastronomic delights, and some cool monuments. However, you might start to get bored after a few days in the city. We recommend making Bratislava your base for other cities since it is much more affordable and can get you to many other major cities by train. Within a couple hours, you can travel to Budapest, Vienna, and other parts of Slovakia, with slightly longer treks to Krakow and Prague. It’s a beautiful city with hospitable locals, so you will want to take your time here and enjoy all that Bratislava (and Slovakia) has to offer.