BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Ukraine’s neighboring countries offer tourists great travel opportunities at modest prices on short notice, thanks to plenty of cheap economy airlines. The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, is one destination option. The city is bright, cozy and friendly, living up to this traveler’s expectations.
The journey from Kyiv to Bratislava by plane takes about two hours, or 24 hours by train and bus. The ground options provide charming views of rolling landscapes, as they take you west through Uzhgorod at Ukraine’s western border before entering Slovakia.
From there, regular buses to Slovakia depart. It is best to take the bus to the city of Košice, a three-hour ride, and then hop on a comfortable electric train to Bratislava. Towering mountains outside the windows help to brighten the five-hour trip to the capital city.
With a population of around 460,000, Bratislava is small and quite simple, making it perfect for a calm and peaceful stay. In fact, everything in this city, from its perfectly smooth roads to its pastel-colored buildings, seems to hint at easy living.
Sightseeing in the city starts with the Bratislava Castle, or Bratislavský hrad. This is the first thing that catches your eye when you leave the central railway station. It stands monumentally over the Danube, adding a special medieval look to the city.
This early medieval castle was rebuilt from ruins in the 1960s. Its architecture is an interesting mix of gothic and baroque styles. The building serves as a museum and offers some historical exhibitions, which are essential for understanding the Slovakian mentality. English language tours are provided. The castle is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Presidential Palace, also called Grassalkovich Palace, is the residence of the Slovakian president and another major attraction. Located on Hodžovo Námestie Street, this large baroque-style building is incredibly impressive. But frankly, it loses in comparison to Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv.
Generally speaking, the architecture of Bratislava is not terribly impressive, at least for the sophisticated and experienced traveler. Much of the buildings outside the immediate center are drab shades of grey and don’t have remarkable differences.
But some of the local monuments are done well. A good example is the monument to freedom of expression, located in Stare Misto. The sculpture shows a man speaking into an oversized ear. There is also the monument to the postal service of Slovakia that shows a girl and a boy flirting with each other.
Bratislava’s nightlife leaves something to be desired. Young people here do like sitting in restaurants or pubs, but they rarely go as far as getting dead drunk or even too noisy. The streets stay mostly quiet after midnight. Partiers shouldn’t expect too much from Bratislava.
How to get there
Train ticket from Kyiv to Uzhgorod –
Hr 150
Bus from Uzhgorod to Košice – Hr 89
Train ticket from Košice to
Bratislava – €17
Schengen visa is required for the
trip.
Where to stay
Hostel “Petit” in Bratislava – €40 for a room for two.
What to eat
Try traditional pork, polievka, soup (€ 2-3) and Demianovka drink (€ 1.5) in Bratislavska
Restauracia restaurant (8 Námestie St.). Also, try Slovakian bread served with
a special dressings called pomazanka (€ 2.5), made of cottage
cheese, garlic and pepper.
