Since my friend Gina and I were staying in Vienna we thought we would take a quick adventure and make a day trip to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. There are two great public transportation options to get you to Bratislava, train and boat. We decided to take the quick 45 minute train ride to spend a day exploring a new country that neither one of us had been to.

Getting there

After speaking with the concierge at the hotel, they gave us the best options to get to Bratislava, by train or boat. For a scenic and unique experience, you can take a high speed boat that sails down the Danube River, offering beautiful views along the way. The journey takes about 75 minutes and would be very enjoyable during the warmer months. While the boat is fun the train is the most convenient way to reach Bratislava. The trip takes about an hour and the trains run frequently throughout the day from Vienna’s main station, Hauptbahnhof, to Bratislava’s main station, Hlavna. Since we were there with cooler temperatures in November and only had a day we decided the train was the way to go.

Exploring the Old Town

Once we arrived at the train station we then took a Taxi into the Old Town. We began our day exploring the Bratislava Castle, perched high above the city. The castle offers panoramic views of the Danube River, the city and even as far as Austria if the day is clear enough. You can walk around the grounds of the castle and visit the museum inside to learn about Slovakia’s history.

After visiting the castle we decided to make our way to Old Town and wander through the cobblestone streets. There is well preserved beautiful architecture, you also can pass by many landmarks including St. Martins Cathedral and Cumil the sewer worker.

While in old town we also explored some local shops for souvenirs. The Old Town is filled with boutique stores offering handmade crafts, Slovak wines and other traditional products.

Afternoon exploring and lunch

For lunch we wanted to try some authentic Slovak cuisine so we decided to stop at a more traditional restaurant call Slovak Pub. We tried local foods such as Bryndzove Halusky (potato dumplings with sheeps cheese) and Kapustnica (cabbage soup). The restaurant was very busy with decor that brought you back to the old days.

After lunch we took a stroll along the Danube River. The riverside views are beautiful with a fun and vibrant atmosphere. We were there in the fall but were told in the spring and summer there are many events taking place in this area. From there we made our way to the UFO Bridge, a symbol of modern Bratislava. For a small fee, you can take an elevator to the top of the bridge, where a viewing platform offers 360-degree views of the city and beyond.

After exploring into the evening we took the train back to Vienna. A day trip to Bratislava was a great excursion that gave us a taste of Slovakia’s history and culture. Whether wandering through the charming Old Town, savoring local delicacies, or enjoying panoramic views from the castle or bridge, Bratislava is a memorable and fun experience. This easy-to-reach destination makes for a perfect day out, and added a unique touch to our Austrian adventure.