Bus to and from Bratislava from $3.99

The capital city of Bratislava is located only an hour from Vienna (you can travel between the two cities by FlixBus) making it so easy to visit to if you are traveling through the region. The country of Slovakia and its beauty is not given enough credit. In Bratislava, you will experience gorgeous architecture, great food, and breathtaking nature at a lower cost compared to some of its neighbors. /p>  

Upon arriving in Bratislava, you will see mostly notice Bratislava Castle sitting on a hill overseeing the entire city. The grounds of the castle are free to walk around as you please and you will see many locals taking strolls during the early evening. While once a royal residence, the castle now is home to the Slovak National Museum- Museum of History, and has artifacts dating from the Middle Ages all the way to the present. With a valid student ID entrance to the museum is only 4€. If you are a fan of contemporary art, the Slovak National Gallery has a wonderful and diverse collection of artwork. Entrance is free for everyone so take your time and feel free to visit multiple times. There is a very nice café located on the bottom floor of the museum in case you get a little hungry or need a coffee break during your visit. The Slovak National Theatre always seems to have a wonderful and rich schedule, if you are lucky you may be able to see a production or concert at a very low price if you go to the box office the day of. Michael’s Gate acts as a sort of marker to indicate central and historical Bratislava. You can climb up this gate which use to belong the old city fortification from the 14th century to gain a different kind of view of the city. Another must-see is the Blue Church or formally known as St. Elizabeth’s Church. The church is a little outside of the historical part of the city, but the walk is worth it. The church is beautifully decorated with mosaics and its color makes it one of a kind. The pictures you take of the church will be gorgeous, but they cannot replicate the beauty of the church itself. If you are not afraid of heights, visit the UFO located on the SNP Bridge. You will be able to see the entire city from this point making it a great place to watch the sunset. There is also a restaurant located on the observation deck for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. It costs 7.40€ to go up to the deck. 

If you google Bratislava, odds are that one of the fun and quirky statues scattered around the city will be part of your results. The most photographed statue is Rubberneck (Čumil) which is a statue of a man resting from what looks like a manhole. Go ahead and be a tourist, take a fun goofy picture next to him to post online. 

There are so many different small and locally owned restaurants and cafes in the central part of Bratislava that will make it hard to decide where to eat. Just a note that the traditional food of Slovakia is very cheesy and meat-heavy, so beware vegans, vegetarians or those who are lactose intolerant. But don't fear if you fall into one of these categories, like many other large European cities there are a wide variety of food types available to suit any taste. Located on Hviezdoslavovo Square is Zylinder, a traditional Slovak restaurant with reasonable prices and be sure to take a peek at their list of Slovak wines. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, try out Orbis Street Food. Everything there is very tasty, and a meal won’t cost you more than 8€. If you’re looking for something sweet, Zeppelin Café & Souvenirs is a great two-in-one stop. Have a wonderful traditional treat and look among the crafts the store offers from local artists.   

If you are itching to get outside and see some gorgeous countryside, take a day trip out to Devin Castle. The trip by bus will only take about 30 minutes from central Bratislava. The bus will let you off at the bottom of the hill on which the castle sits. The castle was destroyed by Napoleon in 1809 and was never rebuilt, so now visitors walk amongst the ruins. Located overlooking the River Danube, the Iron Curtain fell right at the banks of the castle next to the Austrian-Slovakian border. You can cycle or walk along the pathed path where military control once stood. The area on which the castle lays has been well preserved. There are a few exhibits on the natural history and timeline of the castle located on its grounds. As you walk around the ruins be sure to also soak up the gorgeous scenery and lush greenness of Slovakia. If you have the time in your schedule, take time to stroll around the small city of Devin before heading back into Bratislava.