Cheap flights to Bratislava from MKD1,028*

Bratislava, Slovakia’s youthful capital city, is full of surprises. Since the iron curtain lifted, it has transformed itself from a bland, grey town, overshadowed by its pretty neighbours, into a modern metropolis, humming with energy and creativity. Bratislava’s petite historic centre has been stunningly restored to its full glory, and it crams a great deal into its boundaries, from architecture and museums to restaurants and bars. The city’s cultural scene is thriving, and so is its culinary landscape. Nightlife is aplenty and nature is close by. And there’s no bad time to visit, either. Come summer, outdoor terraces are set up wherever you look and the Danube is sparkling in the sunshine. Winter is just as magical: time your Bratislava vacation for December and get into the festive spirit at its bustling Christmas markets, which still retain a strong local feel.

 

A city of contrasts

The Danube slices this ‘little big city’ in half. On its northern bank, the largely pedestrianised Old Town (Staré Mesto) is packed with medieval and Baroque treasures, oozing personality and an old-world grace. Spend at least the better part of a day wandering its zigzag streets, and explore its many hidden nooks and crannies. Across the river, a completely different Bratislava awaits, with concrete high-rises and mementos of the city’s Communist past soaring into the sky. This fascinating contrast is best seen from high above: climb the hill to Bratislava’s fairytale castle, or look down on the city from the flying saucer-shaped cupola perched atop the futuristic UFO Bridge (Most SNP). Want to get close-up to the city’s 20th-century landmarks? Join a guided tour taking in Bratislava’s chain of military bunkers, its immense Slavín war memorial, surrounded by a Soviet cemetery, as well as the concrete-clad Petržalka district, the most densely populated housing estate in the region, home to roughly one fifth of the city’s population.

 

A magical Old Town under Bratislava Castle

There’s hardly a better place to start your exploration than Hviezdoslavovo námestie, the locals’ favourite meeting spot. Home to some of the Old Town’s most impressive buildings, the long, tree-lined plaza is dotted with fountains and centres around the larger-than-life statue of its namesake, Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav. At the square’s eastern end, the silver-roofed Slovak National Theatre, built in ornate Neo-Renaissance style, commands admiring glances. Continue your stroll to Hlavné Námestie (literally ‘main square’), flanked by pastel-coloured architectural gems, including the Old Town Hall (Stará Radnica), which dates back to the 14th century. Check out the Museum of City History, housed within its historic walls, and clamber up to its tower for a lovely view over the inner city. Walk along Rybarska brana, and say hello to the statues of legendary local character Schöne Náci, tipping his hat and Čumil the sewer worker, poking out of a manhole. Round off your walk with a visit to St Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation site, fittingly capped with a huge replica crown. And then there’s the iconic Bratislava Castle, standing guard high above the Old Town. These days it might be difficult to imagine the city without the four-towered edifice but not so long ago the fortress was lying in ruins. What you can see today is largely reconstruction, done magnificently in the 1950s and 60s, more than 140 years after the castle had tragically burnt down. For a sweeping panorama, climb the Crown Tower, which sheltered the Hungarian crown jewels for about two centuries – on a clear day, you can see far into Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Intrigued by the country’s chequered past? Pop into the Museum of History, housed inside the castle, boasting some 250,000 objects, from paintings and sculpture to coins and weapons. The Museum of Jewish Culture is also worth a visit on your way down the hill, recounting the often heartbreaking stories of a lost community.

 

From comfort food to fine dining and wining

Bratislava’s foodie scene has exploded in recent years, offering plenty of choice from traditional stomach liners to bold fusion plates. Looking for Slovak specialities? An empty belly is a must: Slovakian cuisine has perfected the art of hearty comfort food, with pork, cabbage, dairy products and potatoes appearing in leading roles. Try the national dish, bryndzové halušky, (gnocchi-like potato dumplings, smothered in sheep's cheese and topped with crispy bacon) at Bratislavský Meštiansky Pivovar, a spacious brewery-restaurant on Dunajská street, just outside the Old Town. For a more romantic experience, head to Modrá Hviezda near the Castle, and sample the restaurant’s famous roasted mangalitsa pork with chestnuts and pumpkin purée under a wooden-beamed ceiling. Ready to splash out a little? Book a table at Albrecht or Restaurant Houdini (or both), and tickle your tastebuds with their creative tasting menus and wine pairings. If you just want to grab something quick, look no further than Orbis Street Food, offering a wide array of cheap eats from around the world, including moreish Belgian fries, Kansas City corn dogs and spicy Moroccan wraps. If you take one tip from us, let it be this: don’t leave Bratislava without trying some fine Slovakian vino. One of the most underrated wine countries in the world, Slovakia boasts thousands of years of traditions and six distinctive wine regions, with one better than the other. Start your wine adventure at the Slovak National Collection of Wine (Národný salón vín Slovenskej republiky) in the historic centre, stocking the country’s top 100 tipples, as selected at a prestigious annual wine competition. And if you’ve got a taste for the local wine, why not make your way to Malokarpatská, aka the Lesser Carpathian wine region, an easy day trip from the city? Locals also love their coffee, with cafés all across town, ranging from hip to Viennese-style, and everything in-between. Some of the standouts include the outrageously beautiful Konditorei Kormuth, exuding an old-world elegance, as well as cosy little Zeppelin, offering some of the best cakes in town. And it doesn’t get more hipster than Urban House (avocado toast, anyone?).

 

Bratislava nightlife and shopping

When it comes to nightlife, Bratislava definitely has the energy level that you’d expect from a capital city. Most of the action is centred in and around the Old Town, and most places set up outdoor seating from April to October. There’s no shortage of one-off experiences either. Be sure to ride up the lift to the top of the Most SNP Bridge and have a drink at the trendy UFO bar with a view to die for – even a visit to the toilet is an otherworldly experience here! Fancy a history lesson with your beer? Check out Slovak Pub, which remains wildly popular among locals and tourists alike. This humongous pub-restaurant offers 11 themed rooms, each dedicated to a different part of Slovakian history, including an original shepherd’s hut from northern Slovakia and a charming room in honour of literary heroes. How about a cocktail behind unmarked doors? Check out Michalska Cocktail Room, Bratislava’s best speakeasy bar – if you can find it. On the lookout for Slovakian souvenirs? Bratislava’s Old Town is packed with independent fashion boutiques, contemporary galleries as well as arts and crafts, jewellery and antique shops. For something with a bit of an edge, try Kompot on Laurinská street, selling all kinds of wacky T-shirts, plus unconventional accessories and homeware. Afterwards, drop by Slavica Design on the same street, offering clothes, jewellery, bags, ceramics and more, brought to you by young local designers. Are you thinking more along the lines of traditional folk art? Browse the shelves of Parta, laden with handmade folksy treasures, from embroidered lace through colourful pottery to painted eggs. You can’t go wrong with Úľuv either, a gallery-cum-shop specialising in textiles, woodcarving and ceramics.

 

Daytrips galore

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, make sure to hop on a Danube boat cruise to Devín Castle, perched atop a high cliff between Austria and Slovakia, and surrounded by magnificent scenery. Dating back to the 9th century, it is one of the country’s oldest castles, with an excellent archaeological exhibition inside its ancient walls. Climb up to the upper castle for stunning views of the Danube and the Morava rivers, with the Alps in the background. Another castle worth checking out is Hrad Červený Kameň, located just over an hour’s bus drive of Bratislava. The beautifully preserved medieval castle, embraced by chestnut and linden trees, houses lavish period-furnished rooms that are bound to fill you with envy. How about a relaxing spa day? Jump on a train to Piešťany, Slovakia’s no. 1 health resort and soak your tired limbs in its world-famous thermal waters. And of course, Bratislava, located in Slovakia’s southwestern corner, near the Austrian, Czech and Hungarian borders, makes an ideal starting point for a Central European roundtrip, too.

 

Bratislava airport

Just 9 kilometres from the city centre, Bratislava Airport (or M. R. Štefánik Airport) is the most important international airport of Slovakia. What’s more, being within 50 kilometres of Vienna, it makes an easy alternative to flying to Vienna Airport. Bratislava Airport is compact and easy-to-navigate, having only a main terminal (Terminal A) and an adjoining smaller one serving non-Schengen arrivals and departures (Terminal B). How to get to and from the airport? Bus no. 61 links Bratislava Airport with the main train station, Hlavná Stanica, and night buses run to the early hours. The journey usually takes around 25 minutes.

 

Bratislava weather

Bratislava has a continental climate, with mild springs and autumns, hot summers and chilly winters. It is one of the driest places in the country, with the occasional heavy summer thunderstorm. Each season has its advantages: summer is mostly dry with temperatures often rising above 30 degrees, late spring and early autumn are the best for long walks in and around the city, while snowy Bratislava is a beautiful sight to behold. Summer months see the largest number of tourists but other seasons are picking up too.

FAQs for booking flights to Bratislava

How to get cheap flights to to Bratislava?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Bratislava flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Bratislava?

Bratislava enjoys a continental climate with mild springs and autumns, hot summers, and cold winters. The best time to visit is mid-May to mid-September - there are no heavy rains and the weather is pleasant and mild. If you enjoy warmer weather, from July to August temperatures rise above 30°C.
Wine season in Bratislava is autumn, when the wine harvest begins in the Small Carpathians region. As winter (December to February) approaches, the Christmas markets provide a festive atmosphere with traditional treats and warm drinks, making it a charming time for a visit before the colder weather sets in.

How to get from Bratislava Airport to Vienna? 

Bratislava Airport, also referred to as M. R. Štefánik Airport is at a distance of 9 km from the centre of Bratislava. Vienna is much farther, at 50 km. You will find different modes of transport from Bratislava Airport to Vienna. A direct bus from Bratislava to Vienna Hauptbahnhof will take you about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
A more economical option is Line 61 from the airport to Bratislava Hlavná Stanica and then a train to Vienna, taking about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Other options include driving and taking a town car, both of which take about 58 minutes. Alternatively, direct buses run every four hours.

How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Bratislava flight?

As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Bratislava flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.