We arrive in Bratislava a few hours on, in the early afternoon. The final stop on our trip – also the smallest of the three – we leave the bus at the Most SNP, also known as the UFO bridge. We thought the guides were joking when they first called it this. On a short tour, we explore all the main sights:
- St Martin’s Cathedral – Dóm Sv. Martina
- Old Town Hall – Stará radnica
- Michael’s Gate – Michalska brana
- Primate’s Palace (and Hall of Mirrors) – Primaciálny palác
- Presidential Palace – Grasalkovičov palác
- Blue Church (Church of St Elizabeth) – Modrý kostolík, Kék templom
- Čumil and the Bratislava statues




Cutting through the old town and via all these landmarks, we make the steep climb to the castle, Bratislavský hrad.

The weather isn’t so great here. Compared to Vienna and Budapest, which were over 30°C, there’s now a cold wind with the occasional shower. Like Scotland I suppose.

We’re mainly still talking and laughing about the night before as we wander around. It’s been an intense trip so everyone’s beginning to tire. We eat on one of the main tourist and restaurant straights: Hviezdoslavovo námestie & Gorkého, which begins at the Holy Trinity column, (Morový stĺp). And catch a free play in the Stará radnica courtyard. Of course, it’s in Slovakian and no-one understands the dialogue. Quite bizarre and surreal, but we follow the first hour and try to build an idea of what’s going on regardless.



We manage bit more exploring until we discover a Scottish pub on a main tourist street leading up Sedlárska, so turn in there out the cold. Not the only ones and not for the first time that day!

It’s depressing going for the bus later on, just as the city’s nightlife gets under way. Another wild pm2am trip over, basic & brief but glad to say it didn’t disappoint. Again a top adventure and more experiences we’ll always have.
Now a long journey back to Frankfurt station, where we reach the next afternoon. Not the nicest area in Germany, but the good thing about these trips is you can hang around for a while with your new friends until your connection home if you have time to pass. But for me it’s just the obligatory farewell hugs & handshakes and back to Mainz.
Tools & Tips
Bratislava being smaller compared to Vienna & Budapest, it’s easy enough to get around on foot. If needed there are buses, such as to and from the castle.
Other than that, just visit the sights above and take a walk along the nearby Danube. Then grab something to eat/drink on the streets Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Gorkého & Sedlárska which all have plenty of choice.
Look out for the many statues dotted around Bratislava, the most famous being Čumil.

Many others include a Napoleon soldier leaning against a bench, and two girls on a (real and still used) post box.

Random Takeaways
Slovakia has its own language (of course of Slovakian). Though it differs from Czech, they are still understood by speakers of either language. It has always been spoken in the region, but as Communism fell across Europe, Czechoslovakia divided into Czech Republic & Slovakia in 1993. The second language is Hungarian – probably a number of reasons for that.
Having visited Prague the previous year, this completed the European Centrope or ‘Czechaushunvakia’ for me – comprising Slovakia, Austria, Hungary & the Czech Republic (or Czechia now?).
Except for Tallinn, Estonia & St. Petersburg, Russia, this trip was my first taste of ‘Eastern Europe’ – in fact I’ve never been any further east than this.
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