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As we started planning our train trip through Europe, we searched for places that not many people visit. We love going off-the-beaten-path with our destinations sometimes! That’s when we came upon Bratislava. Although it’s the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a cute and small town, set along the Danube River. So we set out to explore the best things to do in Bratislava. We went toward the end of November, so we thought there wouldn’t be too much going on, but we were wrong. So here are the top 10 things to in Bratislava in November! This is exactly what we did during our 2 days in the city.

Surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, sprinkled with forested hiking and cycling trails, Bratislava has something for everyone. This 18th-century town is also known for its lively bars and cafes, so you know we had to go and explore it!

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The best time to visit Bratislava

As always, the best time to visit Bratislava depends on what you’re really into. Generally, the weather in Bratislava is one of the warmest and driest in Slovakia. If you want comfy (read, non-sweaty) temperatures and to explore without many tourists around, head to Bratislava at the end of March, through April & May, or in September and October. You may even get lucky and be able to enjoy the outdoor cafe terraces!

If you’re searching for heat, then the summer months of June, July and August are the time for you to go although temps can rise between 30-40°C. So it may not be great if you’re planning to explore tons and go hiking.

Finally, if you’re searching for cute Christmas markets, fun lights and tons of mulled wine to drink, Bratislava is perfect for you! Head there at the end of November through December. The markets in Slovakia’s capital are smaller and more quaint than those in other European cities, but that’s what adds to their charm. Just be warned that temperatures drop pretty low, so be sure to bundle up when you go.

Bratislava in November

We went to Bratislava at the end of November. The weather was cool but quite comfortable during the day. At night, the temperatures would drop quite a bit, but nothing you can’t brave with a sweater paired with a warm jacket. During our 2 days in Bratislava, one day was sunny and the other was cloudy with a bit of drizzle. Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary for this time of year.

Our favorite thing about visiting Bratislava in November was that the Christmas markets had just opened. We got to enjoy the beautiful city, with an extra sprinkle of holiday magic! This made our 2 days in Bratislava just a little extra special!

What to do in Bratislava in 2 days

Bratislava is not that big of a city, but that’s what adds to its charm! If you have two full days here, you’ll be golden. It will give you enough time to explore the Old Town and check out some cool bars and cafes as well.

1. Check out the Bratislava Castle

If you know Derek, you know he loves castles. As soon as there is one in a city, we have to visit it! It was no different in Bratislava!

Perched on the top of the rocky hill, the Bratislava Castle is a massive rectangular building with four corner towers. Its size and location make it hard to miss. It looks like a fairytale castle so it is quite impressive.

Although you can walk the grounds and gardens for free, you will need to pay to get into the many museums it houses. You can also head there for sunset to get a beautiful view of the city as the sky turns all shades of sunset.

The best thing about going to Bratislava in November is that there are no crowds around, which was the case when we went to check out the sunset at the Bratislava Castle! Win!

2. Get a cool view at Most SNP, the most unique thing to do in Bratislava

This is probably the coolest yet weirdest thing in Bratislava. The UFO Bridge (or Most SNP) is the world’s longest bridge to have one pylon and one cable-stayed plane… and a UFO sitting atop it!

It makes the view of the city a little cooler, and if you really want to get awesome views of the castle, head up to the observation deck or the bar for a drink. Again, sunset is a magical time to check it out.

3. Go to the Blue church, a unique landmark in Bratislava

This is one of the most iconic spots in Bratislava, the Church of St. Elizabeth, although most lovingly call it “The Little Blue Church”. 

We’ve seen quite a few churches all around Europe and the world, but this one was probably the most unique and cutest one. Its intricate design makes it beautiful not only from the outside but from inside as well.

4. Take in the street art in Bratislava

Although the street art scene started later in Bratislava than in other European countries, they have still managed to create some awesome pieces and parts of the town sprinkled with cool graffiti.

Every year, over three days in June, they have the Bratislava Street Art Festival where artists tag the town with their art. You can check them out all over the city, but mainly around Kamenné námestie. There, you will find the fox mural. 

The best thing about checking the street art in Bratislava is that while you’re walking around the streets, so many pieces will just pop up at you. We’re true lovers of street art, so seeing these beautiful murals around Bratislava made our visit a little more special.

5. Check out St Martin’s cathedral, a beautiful landmark in Bratislava

Set on the shores of the Danube, St Martin’s Cathedral is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bratislava, and it’s a beauty! 

It’s also the largest and one of the oldest churches in Bratislava. You can’t miss its 85 m spire that dominates Old Town’s skyline. We caught this view as we were walking down from the Bratislava Castle. There’s a cool terrasse that allows you to take in the most beautiful skyline of Bratislava!

Like most churches, it is just as beautiful inside as it is outside. This cathedral was especially calm and peaceful. Just another perk of visiting Bratislava in November – No crowds to disturb your visits!

6. Stroll through the Old Town of Bratislava

This is probably the number one spot on everyone’s ‘things to do in Bratislava’ list… and we can’t blame them. But since we do things our way, we didn’t put it first. Derek’s love of castles always wins!

Walking around the Old Town is probably the cutest thing to do in Bratislava. You could spend hours just walking around taking in all the sights of this amazing Old Town.

A maze of historic buildings, stunning architecture, quirky lanes, and, depending on when you go, Christmas markets! Just another reason why visiting Bratislava in November is awesome!

The streets here are lined with bars and restaurants, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. Forget Google Maps, just wander around, get lost, and find somewhere awesome to grab a drink!

7. Check out Grassalkovich (Presidential) Palace

Slightly out of the way, on Hodžovo námestie, near the Summer Archbishop’s Palace, The Grassalkovich Palace is a beautiful place to visit. It’s also where the president of Slovakia calls home – lucky guy!

We thought the architecture of the palace was stunning, especially the cool gates. A little less cool was the hoard of pigeons hanging around… you guys know how much Carine is scared of birds!

The Grassalkovich Palace isn’t open to the public, except for one day out of the year. But there is a beautiful garden at the back which is open to visit. There, you’ll find beautiful works of art, and a peaceful getaway from the city.

8. Walk through Micheal’s Gate in the Old Town of Bratislava

Michael’s Gate is the only city gate that has been preserved of the medieval fortifications in the city. Built in around 1300, it ranks among the oldest town buildings. Standing tall and proud, it’s one of the iconic Bratislava landmarks. It’s also where Carine fell on her butt trying to take a picture of the full thing! Luckily, there weren’t too many people around! Another perk of visiting Bratislava in November!

9. Take a pic with the Man at work, a Bratislava icon

This is probably Bratislava’s biggest celebrity. Cumil, or Peeper, is a bronze statue of a sewer worker resting at the top of a manhole. They say that there are 2 possible reasons for his name.

The first rumor is that he’s a typical communist-era worker, and just can’t be bothered to do his work, spending his time people-watching instead. The other rumor is that he’s actually peeping under the women’s skirts, like a total creepster. You can find him at the corner of Laurinská and Panská Streets in the Old Town. Make sure to rub his head and make a wish.

If you like these types of statutes, you can head out and search for them all over the city. Here’s a handy guide to help you spot them. It’s one of the fun things to do in Bratislava.

10. Grab a bite to eat at the Old Market Hall

If you know us, you know how much we love to eat. So we had to stop by the Old Market Hall or Stará tržnica. Inside this 15th-century bastion, you will find tons of local vendors selling their goods.

From fresh produce to jams, pickles and everything in between, you’ll find it here. Some vendors also set ready-made meals that are delicious. The only unfortunate thing is that they don’t have that much vegetarian meals to offer.

So if you’re not sure what to do in Bratislava, and you’re feeling hungry, make sure you add this to your list of Bratislava musts!

Where to eat in Bratislava

There are a ton of delicious places to choose from when you’re in Bratislava. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Bratislava:

Urban bistro: This bistro is right near Michael’s gate. We went there for breakfast and loved it! The English breakfast, as well as the vegetarian option, were so good. We also loved their Jasmine Matcha latte!

Urban house: Sister-company to Urban Bistro, this cool resto/bar had us intrigued as soon as we walked by its doors. Cool decor, tons of plants and plenty of vegetarian options to choose from – we were hooked. We loved their goat cheeseburger (it was vegetarian). It was messy to eat but oh-so-delicious!

MonDieu: Although this is a chain, how can you not walk in when you see faucets pouring insane amounts of chocolate out?! Yeah, we loved it! Their chocolate cups with dark chocolate are so delicious!

Five Points: We met our friends Jen and Henry from Hoopla Adventures here for a quick bite and drinks. The great conversation, cool vibes, and chill music had us stay here… or was it the delicious mulled wine? Hard to say!

Where to stay in Bratislava

While in Bratislava, we stayed at the Patio Hostel. Although our time here was short and sweet, the conveniently located hostel had everything for a great stay. The rooms were super spacious with comfy beds and a place to hang our clothes – little things that you miss when you’re constantly on the road.

We loved working in their common room and meeting other travelers. We also loved the fact that they offer laundry machines (including a dryer) all for free! If you spend as much time as we do on the road, this is seriously a lifesaver!

The hostel also has tons of activities going on, from walking tours to pub crawls. Depending on what you’re looking to do in town, the Patio Hostel will have you covered! It’s a great option for budget travelers.

Get the Bratislava Card

Depending on what you plan on doing in Bratislava, you may want to get the Bratislava Card. It offers discounts on more than 100 attractions, free tours, free entry to 14 museums and galleries, as well as unlimited public transport. We walk everywhere we go, so it wasn’t our cup of tea, but to each their own!

You can either get yours online or at one of the Tourist Information Centres in the city.

Sustainable travel and ecotourism in Bratislava

As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Bratislava, Slovakia, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel become less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.

Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Bratislava:

1. Bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug: Tap water in Slovakia and Bratislava is safe to drink, and it’s one of the cleanest in the world. So make sure you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up (we always have our Lifestraw Go with us!) And if you love to drink coffee, make sure you bring your reusable coffee mug too!
2. Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off-the-beaten-path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations.
4. Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to save our beautiful planet!
5. Walk or bike around: We walked all around Bratislava and had a great time getting lost in its streets. It helped that our hostel was so centrally located to all the main attractions in Bratislava.
6. Use public transportation to get around Bratislava: The busses and trams in Bratislava are some of the most efficient and cleanest we’ve seen in the world. It’s very easy to get around the city using public transportation. No need to rent a car or take taxis around!
7. Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Austria: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Austria is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels. There are a ton of great options available, so make sure you check these options first!

The 10 best things to do in Bratislava

As always, here is a quick recap of the top 10 best things to do in Bratislava in 2 days. There is not a ton to do in this city, so 2 days in Bratislava are perfect for doing everything on this list.

1. Explore the Bratislava Castle
2. Get a cool view at Most SNP
3. Check out the Blue church
4. Discover the street art
5. Go to St Martin’s church
6. Stroll around Old Town
7. Check out Grassalkovich Palace
8. Walk through Micheal’s Gate
9. Take a pic with Man at work
10. Grab a bite at the Old Market

Our time here was short and sweet. We had two days in Bratislava, but it gave us enough time to get a taste of this cute city. There were a few more things we wanted to check out, like the Devin castle (yes Derek, we’ll see another castle!) so we know we will be back here. There’s also so much more of Slovakia we want to explore (and eat!).

We hope this guide will help you have a great time in Bratislava too. Let us know if this beautiful capital is on your list!

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