BratislavaCapital
Slovakia · Country profile
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, the compact, handsome city that sits on the Danube between Austria and Hungary, the old town of the painted facades, the squares and the cafes climbing the hill beneath the castle that overlooks the river. The city was the capital of the Hungarian kingdom for three centuries, and the old town preserves the theatres, the palaces and the narrow lanes of that elegant era, while the modern city spreads across the river with the buildings of the socialist years and the glass towers of the new economy. The city is the westernmost capital of the Slavic east, an easy hour from Vienna, and its wine cellars of the neighbouring hills, its lively cafe culture and its warm, small-city feel make it one of the most pleasant and affordable capitals of central Europe. The river promenades, the festivals and the youthful energy of the universities complete the picture of the friendly little capital.
About Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. The city's documented population is around 475,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Slovak is spoken; the dialling code is +421. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Bratislava Airport.
The Compact Danube Capital Below the Castle
Bratislava is a compact, friendly and very walkable capital on the Danube, small enough to cross on foot in an hour and packed with cafe culture, modest prices and a warm, unpretentious welcome. The castle on its hill and the painted old town anchor the historic circuit, while the river promenades and the pedestrian streets run the everyday life. It is the perfect stop between the bigger capitals of the region, its wine country on the hills behind it, and its atmosphere is easy, safe and genuinely pleasant. The city rewards an unforced meander rather than a frantic schedule.
The Euro, the Tram Network and the Wine Country Days
The climate is continental, with the warm summers and the cold winters, and the spring and the autumn are the pleasant shoulder seasons. The castle, the old town and the riverfront are the essential circuit, and the wine hills of the small carpathian range behind the city frame the classic day out. The euro is the currency and the cards work widely, with the cash useful at the small stalls and the markets. The Slovak is the language with the English growing among the young, and the city is safe, clean and compact, easily covered on foot with the trams and the buses filling the gaps.
The Old Town Squares, the UFO Tower and the Riverfront Bars
The castle of the capital, the white quadrilateral on its hill above the Danube, holds the museum of the history of the city and gives the panorama over the old town, the river and, on a clear day, the neighbouring countries, while the old town below preserves the painted squares, the town hall with its tower and the narrow lanes of the merchants. The river of the Danube with its promenades and its bars and the UFO bridge, the tower of the bridge with its viewing platform, anchor the modern riverfront life. The wine of the region, from the cellars of the hills and the towns of the small carpathians, is the beloved local institution, and the cafes of the centre run the easy, friendly rhythm of the little capital.
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- Country
- Slovakia
- Population
- 475,000
- Coordinates
- 48.1702, 17.2127
- Capital
- Bratislava
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Slovak
- Calling code
- +421
- Country code
- SK
Entry requirements for Slovakia
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Slovakia for tourism.
Getting to Bratislava
Airports we list for Bratislava:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bratislava the capital of Slovakia?
Yes — Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia.
What currency do I need in Bratislava?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Slovakia include Slovak.
What is the dialling code for Slovakia?
The international dialling code for Slovakia is +421.
Which airport should I fly into for Bratislava?
Bratislava Airport (BTS) is the airport we list for Bratislava.
Do I need a visa to visit Slovakia?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Slovakia visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Bratislava? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.