Bratislava – The Danube’s Hidden Secret

When you think of a river cruise along the Danube, it’s typical to think of grand cities such as Budapest and Vienna, but one of the most underrated river cruise destinations is Bratislava, which, incidentally, is a capital city in its’ own right, being the capital of Slovakia, a relatively young country, formed in the 1990s, when independence was obtained simultaneously with the Czech Republic, borne out of the old, defunct state of Czechoslovakia, which collapsed once the influence of the Soviet Union disintegrated.

One of the reasons for its appeal is the fact that it’s much smaller than the two aforementioned cities, so you can circumnavigate the whole city centre by foot, whilst appreciating the mostly pedestrianised streets in the old town centre.  The riverfront is a pleasant walk, but most people end up at the castle, which dominates from atop a small hill overlooking the city.  There are still a number of medieval buildings to admire, including St Michael’s Gate, particularly toward the north end of the old town, plus the gothic cathedral of St Martin, the nouveau church of St Elisabeth, and the Franciscan church.

By contrast, you will also find some cutting-edge bars and restaurants sprinkled at conveniently frequent intervals.  Combine this with some quirky sculptures and a burgeoning array of street entertainment, and you have an intriguing yet relaxing destination to enjoy.  A modern feature of the city is the new bridge with an observatory/restaurant, which offers superb views up and down the Danube.

So the next time you consider the possibility of a river cruise, don’t just think of Bratislava as a ‘fill-in’ en-route between Vienna and Budapest; it has the right to be truly considered a highlight of any Danube cruise, in the same manner as its’ more famous and historically significant neighbours.