Bratislava's largest borough is interesting to drive through, especially if you're a fan of brutalist architecture; otherwise it's not worthy of a special visit. Around 65% of Bratislava locals live in prefab concrete blocks such as those in this concrete jungle, south of the Danube. As one of Central Europe's largest socialist housing blocks, Petržalka may look forbidding, but the proximity of these blocks to the city (and improved public transport) make them increasingly desirable places to live.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
7.71 MILES
The windswept location of this world-class art gallery is as invigorating as the works on display. On a promontory jutting into the Danube, the…
Hlavné Námestie
2.24 MILES
The nucleus for Bratislava's history, festivals and chic cafe culture is Hlavné nám (Main Sq). There's architectural finery in almost every direction,…
Blue Church
2.24 MILES
Dedicated to St Elisabeth of Hungary in 1913, the early-20th-century 'Blue Church' is a vision in sapphire and powder-blue. From its undulating arches and…
Museum of City History
2.23 MILES
Rove through Bratislava's past in the former town hall. First, scale the tower for a lookout over Bratislava. Then tour the exhibition rooms; loveliest of…
Bratislava Castle
2.11 MILES
Magnificently rebuilt in Renaissance style, Bratislava Castle looks as though it has been transplanted from a children's picture book. Inside is a history…
St Martin's Cathedral
2.15 MILES
The coronations of 19 royals have taken place within three-nave St Martin's Cathedral, alluded to by the 300kg replica crown atop its spire. The interior…
Devín Castle
7.46 MILES
Perched between Slovakia and Austria, rugged Devín Castle makes a popular day trip from Bratislava. From the ramparts there are admirable views of rivers…
Nationalpark Donau-Auen
18.25 MILES
Nationalpark Donau-Auen is a thin strip of natural flood plain on either side of the Danube, running from Vienna to the Slovak border. Established as a…
Nearby Bratislava attractions
1. Most SNP
1.8 MILES
The sci-fi silhouette of Bratislava's 'UFO bridge' came at a heavy cost. Period mansions and an old synagogue were sacrificed for the construction of the…
2. Slovak National Gallery
2 MILES
This engaging art space hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art, from photography to sculpture. It's well worth scouting what's on, or simply…
3. Slovak National Museum
2.01 MILES
The history of music, from ornate carved violins to the art of Slovak tango, is covered in detail on the 1st floor of this branch of the national museum…
4. Hviezdoslavovo Námestie
2.09 MILES
At least once during your visit to Bratislava, you'll stroll along this tree-lined plaza, bypassing embassies, tourist-magnet bars and some of the city's…
5. Bratislava Castle
2.11 MILES
Magnificently rebuilt in Renaissance style, Bratislava Castle looks as though it has been transplanted from a children's picture book. Inside is a history…
6. St Martin's Cathedral
2.15 MILES
The coronations of 19 royals have taken place within three-nave St Martin's Cathedral, alluded to by the 300kg replica crown atop its spire. The interior…
7. Museum of Clocks
2.16 MILES
All burning questions about 17th- to 19th-century clockmaking will be answered within this narrow, rococo-style building, known as the 'House of the Good…
8. Watcher
2.18 MILES
Crowds amass around the ground-level Watcher statue, who peeps out from an imaginary manhole on Panská. Originally installed as a joke in 1997, the statue…