Things to do in Bratislava
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Mýtny domček
Pictures of old Bratislava decorate the walls of the restaurant in the former toll house on the Old bridge. All the typical grilled and fried meats are on the menu, but there are also meal-sized salads with chicken or tuna.
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Pizza Mizza
The city's best slice. This modern, multistorey pizzeria is extremely popular, especially with expats, so you may want to book ahead. English is spoken here.
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Bratislava Castle
From Hlavná stanica, Bratislava’s main train station, it’s around a 20-minute walk to Hurbanovo námestie, the northern edge of the old town. Dominating the city of Bratislava from above is Bratislava Castle, the city’s reconstructed 15th-century castle with views from the ramparts. Inside the castle, the Historical Museum covers folk crafts, furniture, modern art and history. At the time of research, the museum was being renovated. On the ground floor, the Treasury of Slovakia has a small collection of archaeological finds.
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Luka
Though cycling is very popular with locals, the dearth of bike-hire agents makes it tough for visitors. Luka is the only agency that hires bikes (800Sk per day). A good, but steep, route from the Luka office northeast of the centre is to continue north on Kysucká to the picnic and park area of Železná studienka, where there's a chairlift. The adventurous can transport themselves and the bike up via the chairlift and ride back down the mountain cycle path..
Flatter routes include along the Danube to Devín castle (8km).
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Slavín War Memorial
On Slavín Hill, northwest of the old town, stand a cemetery and garden with fine views over the city. Towering over them is the Slavín War Memorial, an enormous pillar erected in 1960 in memory of the 6000 Soviet soldiers who died pushing the Nazis out of West Slovakia.
To get there, take trolleybus 208 west from Hodžovo nám to the end of the line on Šulekova (20 minutes), and climb for 1km up Timravina and Mišíkova.
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Slovak National Gallery
Plans to make the Danube riverfront more of an attraction are in the works, but for now it's just a large, pleasant tree-lined place to walk. Waterfront and centre is the Slovak National Gallery, housing the nation's biggest art collection. An 18th-century palace and a Stalinist-modernist building make interesting cohosts for the eclectic showing, which ranges from Gothic to graphic art.
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Monument of the Slovak National Uprising
The central feature of the vast Nám SNP is a bronze Monument of the Slovak National Uprising, honouring to the antifascist uprising for which the square is named. In November 1989 huge crowds assembled here in the days leading up to the fall of the communist regime, and it was also here that Slovaks gathered before the Velvet Divorce from the Czech Republic.
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Bibiana
Bratislava isn't overly populated with playgrounds, or restaurants with children's menus for that matter, but there are a couple of places to keep the little ones entertained. Bibiana calls itself an 'International House of Art for Children'. There's an art gallery aimed at little ones and it sponsors frequent puppet and musical performances and craft classes.
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Blue Church
A mosaic depicting the revelation of the roses hangs at the entrance to the Church of St Elizabeth, more commonly known as the Blue Church ; Bezručova 2; admission free; ;07:00-19:00). The cool sky-blue-and-white church (1911) is an Art-Nouveau fantasy. On Saturdays it acts as a wedding machine - rather appropriate as it does look like an elaborate cake.
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Zlaté piesky
Zlaté piesky is a lake resort 7km northeast of the old town. It's where locals escape the summer heat. You can hire rowing boats and sailboards in summer. Take tram 4 from Kamenné nám, near the Tesco department store, to the terminus (20 minutes) and walk east for a couple of blocks; the lake will be on your right.
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Treasury
At the time of writing, the tiny Bratislava Castle Treasury was closed for reconstruction with no certain reopening date. When it does reopen, the highlight will still be the unbelievable 25,000-year-old Venus of Moravany, a miniature fertility statue of a headless, naked woman that is carved from a mammoth tusk.
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Slovenská Národná Galéria
On the riverfront, the Slovak National Gallery incorporates an 18th-century palace into its unusual 'Stalinist chic' design. Housing the nation's largest combined gallery and museum collection, it is well worth a visit, especially for its fine Gothic and baroque sections. Slovak National Museum is close by.
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Devin Castle
Hardcore castle aficionados will want to don their daypack and head out to Devin Castle, 9km (5.6mi) west of Bratislava. Once the military playground of 9th-century warlord Prince Ratislav, Devin is packed solid with historical intrigue. Bus 29 links Devin with Bratislava's Nový Most bus terminal.
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Hlavné nám
The historic, pedestrian centre of the old town has some beautiful baroque palaces, built after the Hungarians moved their capital here. Once the centre and main market of the old town, Hlavné nám still fills up with craft stalls during the Easter and Christmas markets.
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U Remeselníka
This tiny folk-craft-centre café may be the best place in town to have traditional home-style dishes. Little old ladies meet here for a lunch of a halušky for two, a trio of dumplings with sheep's cheese and bacon, with kolbasa (sausage) and cabbage.
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New Bridge
The New bridge, or the UFO (pronounced ew-fo) bridge, is a modernist marvel from 1972. After a three-year renovation, the UFO-on-a-stick reopened in 2006. There's an overhyped nightclub aloft, in addition to the prerequisite overpriced restaurant and viewing platform.
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Leberfinger
Murals of historic Bratislava enliven this house across the river from the old town. Napoleon is supposed to have stopped here. Veal goulash, grilled fish and stuffed aubergine may seem upscale, but the restaurant is entirely family-friendly (kids' menu and playgrounds).
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Tesco Department Store
It may not soothe your socially conscious soul, but this big downtown store has just about everything you could need - crystal, wine, slivovice (a clear plum liquor that's a lot like firewater), jewellery, maps, groceries - at prices that undercut other stores.
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Palace of the Royal Chamber
Palace of the Royal Chamber. Now a university library, it was formerly the seat of the Hungarian parliament, or diet, from 1802-48. At the last meeting held there, town deputy Ľudovít Štúr spoke out for Slovak rights and the elimination of serfdom.
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Le Monde Restaurant & Bar
Le Monde is one of Bratislava’s class acts for iternational fare, serving dishes such as grilled octopus with a warm black lentil salad and basil sauce (€22.65) or sushi and sashimi with soya-citrus dressing and glass noodles – all in a formal lounge setting.
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Michael Tower
The town’s only surviving tower gate, Michael Tower, has a 14th-century base, a 16th-century top and an 18th-century steeple. Climb to the top for views across the rooftops, and a small display of antique swords, armour and guns.
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Museum of Clocks
Židovská, the most direct path from Bratislava Castle to the old town, passes through what remains of the former Jewish quarter. What is reputedly the skinniest house in Central Europe contains a little Museum of Clocks.
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Aulandia
Aulandia has family-friendly pools and water slides, as well as a more adult spa zone where skimpy terry-cloth wraps (and hitting on strangers) are required. Take bus 80, 83 or 93 from Zochova across the New bridge one stop to AuPark.
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HC Slovan Stadium
New ice-hockey and football stadiums are in the works. At least until 2008, Bratislava's hallowed ice-hockey team, HC Slovan plays at the HC Slovan stadium northeast of the old town. You can buy tickets online at www.ticketportal.sk.
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Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
Scattered about the pedestrian centre are numerous churches, the oldest of which is the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Consecrated in 1297, it was later 'baroquified' by the Jesuits. It's normally open only for services.
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