Time To Add Bratislava to The Bucket List!

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia is a very popular cruise port along the river Danube. A stone's throw away from Vienna, Bratislava is a quiet underrated city. My recommended cruise to travel to Bratislava would be with AmaWaterways. I was fortunate enough to travel on the ‘Romantic Danube’ sailing but if you’re looking for a longer cruise (14 nights) I would recommend the ‘Grand Danube’ cruise. 

If you aren’t familiar with AmaWaterways, they offer premium luxury river ships on the Danube and have recently added brand-new ship AmaSofia to the fleet, joining her sister, AmaMagna. These ships are the first of their kind and are double the width of standard European river ships , offering the largest suites on the river, multiple restaurants, a cinema and even a water sports platform. 

My top 3 things to do whilst in Bratislava…

1. This one is for adventure seekers and my personal favourite activity is the Bratislava Castle Hike. This is a nice short hike from the Old town taking around 1-2 hours roundtrip. This is one you cannot miss, the sweeping views of the Danube and City are stunning. Once you get to the top there is a gorgeous bar with some fantastic food (I enjoyed a fresh fish pasta dish with a crisp white wine!). 

2. If you would like to retrace the historical path of 18 kings and queens of the Hungarian Kingdom I would recommend the Coronation City walking tour. This tour includes some fantastic sights including St. Martin’s Cathedral which is a 15th-century Gothic church, the Bratislava castle and a lovely stroll past the Old Town Hall. 

3. Finally if you are into your food, the Tastes of Slovakia Tour is right up your street. This 4-hour walking and tasting experience which pairs traditional Bratislava food with some local gorgeous wines. 

My personal takeaway after visiting Vienna and Bratislava is that this is a great alternative to beat the crowds and still experience the authentic traditional Slovakia. Bratislava is smaller and more relaxed than Vienna. Bratislava is probably one of the best value for money cities that I have experienced.