Bratislava Travel Guide

Bratislava (Hungarian: Pozsony, German: Pressburg, known as Prešporok before 1919), is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. It has a population of more than 475,000 (2021), and is the administrative, cultural and economic centre of the country. For most visitors, it is the entry point into the rest of the country. Located on the border tripoint of Slovakia, Austria and Hungary, the city has sat in the very hearts of empires since its earliest mention in the 10th century. As such, the city is a place of contrasts; the city centre features the medieval and renaissance old town, as well as the skyscraper-heavy business and shopping district; the outskirts feature both hillside villas, and communist-era apartment blocks.

48.1717.2127781Bratislava Airport(BTSIATA).The largest airport in the Slovak Republic. Served mainly by low cost and charter airlines.(updated Feb 2025)

Generally, Bratislava is a walking city, though as of the early 2020s with increasing number of cycling lines. The center is very small and cosy and you can easily walk from one side to another in a few minutes. The city center is a pedestrian area but be aware of cyclists and occasional cars that drive rather quickly in between the walking people and outdoor cafes.

Bratislava is generally very safe by Western standards. It is quite small and the crime rate is low. There is a significant police presence in the city, especially the historical parts, and it is generally not a problem to walk around the city at night. The centre especially is under camera surveillance.

Accommodation prices usually do not include city tax. For 2024 the city tax was €3.50/person/night for Old Town, 3.00€ for other districs. Students up to age 26 and youths up to 18 do not need to pay city tax.