You can check out my previous adventure in Vienna, Austria in the article below.
From Vienna, I traveled to Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, using Flixbus. The two cities are very close—just around a two-hour ride.
Accommodation: Staying at Hostel Waltz with Friendly Faces
I stayed in Bratislava for a week and booked a dormitory bed at a place called Hostel Waltz. It’s a relatively new hostel and includes a shared kitchen, which was really convenient.
Surprisingly, there seemed to be a large Indian community in Slovakia—or at least a lot of Indian travelers. Many of them were also staying at the hostel. There was even a group of tourists from Spain, so the kitchen and common area near the front desk were always lively.
The Indian guests were especially friendly, and I even got to sample their homemade Indian dishes from time to time. Lucky me!
One night, I had a bit of a mosquito incident. Since I had the whole dorm to myself, I turned on the lights and went full ninja mode to catch it. Mission accomplished.
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First Impressions: A Compact and Walkable City
Bratislava is a very compact city. For sightseeing, you could easily cover the main highlights in a day.
The Nivy Centrum, which combines a shopping mall with the main bus terminal, was my go-to spot whenever I got hungry. It has both a supermarket and a food court—super convenient!
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Old Town Highlights: A Mix of History and Whimsy
Michael’s Gate (Michalská brána)
One of the most iconic landmarks in the Old Town is Michael’s Gate, built in the early 14th century. It used to serve as a city fortification but now stands as a symbolic structure of Bratislava.
Under the gate, there’s a marker showing the direction and distance to cities around the world—including Tokyo! Try to find it when you visit.
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Quirky Statues Around Town
Bratislava is known for its quirky bronze statues. The most famous is a man peeking out of a manhole named Čumil. If you photograph him from below, he’s got this cheeky little smirk—makes you wonder what he’s looking at!
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There are several other statues around the Old Town, and it’s fun to snap photos with them along the way.
Architectural Sights: Churches and Castles
St. Martin’s Cathedral
This Gothic-style cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and is one of the most historically important buildings in the city.
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Bratislava Castle
Situated on a hill, Bratislava Castle overlooks the entire city. Unfortunately, when I visited, I couldn’t go inside the castle itself, but the exterior was still worth the trip.
From the hilltop, you get a great panoramic view of the city—St. Martin’s Cathedral stands out prominently. The Old Town, when viewed from above, is strikingly unified in red and white rooftops.
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You can easily explore all these sights in half a day, to be honest.
Bratislava Eats: A Taste of Japan and Slovakia
Ramen Kazu – Authentic Japanese Ramen in the Heart of Europe
First up: Ramen Kazu!
I know—ramen in Slovakia!? But I’ve had ramen in a few places around Europe, and this one in Bratislava was honestly the best. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this place (possibly run by a Japanese owner) serves legit miso ramen. Highly recommended if you’re craving Japanese comfort food.
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Slovak Pub – Local Dishes in a Lively Setting
Next is the famous Slovak Pub, located on a busy street just a short walk from the Old Town, where trams pass by. It’s a popular place that often shows up in travel guides, and it definitely had a bustling, energetic vibe.
I ordered a combo of bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese), pirohy (dumplings), along with goulash and bread. Both the halušky and pirohy had a kind of yogurt-ish, creamy flavor that was really tasty (though I may be way off—my taste buds aren’t always accurate!).
I went there starving, so I managed to finish everything, but it was a lot of food. Just a heads-up: tipping is customary in Slovakia, so I gave around 10% of the bill.
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Pressburg Bajgel – A Traditional Slovak Pastry
Lastly, I visited a bakery called Pressburg Bajgel, which offers traditional Slovak baked goods. You might think of bagels from the name, but despite the similar root word, these are completely different.
There’s a cute mascot in front of the shop too.
They look unassuming, but these pastries are heavy. I picked two flavors: poppy seed and walnut. I could barely finish the second one—it was that filling. Also, they’re quite dry and crumbly, so they soak up all the moisture in your mouth.
If you’re going to try one, I highly recommend getting a coffee to go with it!
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Final Thoughts and Souvenirs
Even though I stayed a week, I felt that a few days were enough to fully enjoy the city. Prices weren’t as low as I expected, but overall I was satisfied.
As for souvenirs, I bought a bottle of Tatratea, a strong herbal liquor unique to Slovakia. Be warned—it’s got a seriously high alcohol content!
And with that, I wrapped up my time in Slovakia. Next up: Hungary! Let’s go!
