20 Best Day Trips From Bratislava: By Local [2024]

Welcome to Slovakia, a landlocked country in Central Europe. If you’re considering traveling to Bratislava and exploring more of Slovakia, you’re right here. I’m a Slovakian citizen, born in the country, and have lived there for 18 years. So in this article, I’ll give you the best ideas for day trips from the Slovakian capital city.

I don’t recommend staying too long in Bratislava. It’s a beautiful small city, but there is little to do. One day in Bratislava is enough. So check out some of these unique day trips and explore the rest of Slovakia. You’ll fall in love with the country.

List Of The 20 Best Day Trips From Bratislava & Map

1. Devín Castle
2. Wine Tasting In The Carpathian Hills
3. Hiking In Fatra Mountains
4. High Tatras National Park
5. Bojnice Castle & Traditional Slovakian Village
6. Thermal Spa Aphrodite & Traditional Slovakian Village
7. Banská Štiavnica & Trenčín
8. Visit Fair-Tale Castles In Slovakia
9. Brno
10. Uherske Hradiste
11. Olomouc
12. Zlin ZOO
13. Rocks Prachov (Prachovske Skaly)
14. Vienna
15. Wine Tasting In The Wachau Region
16. Pandorf Shopping
17. Salzburg & Sound Of Music Tour
18. Budapest
19. Lake Balaton
20. Győr

Top Nature Day Trips From Bratislava In Slovakia

Here is a quick list of the best trips to nature in Slovakia (from the list of 20). You can go hiking or just enjoy beautiful nature and relax.

• Wine-Tasting In The Carpathian Hills
• Hiking In Fatra Mountains
• High Tatras National Park
• Zlin ZOO
• Rocks Prachov (Prasne Skaly)
• Wine Tasting In The Wachau Region
• Lake Balaton

How To Make These Day Trips From Bratislava

The best two ways to make these day trips are renting a car in Bratislava or joining an organized day trip.

Rent A Car In Bratislava

If you want to travel alone and do these day trips at your own pace, renting a car is the best option. You can do so in Bratislava, and even extend your trip, seeing more places in Slovakia.

Book An Organized Day Trip

In case you want to have a stress-free trip and see these places with a guide, book some of the amazing organized tours from Bratislava.

Everything will be organized for you. You’ll taste traditional Slovakian things and thoroughly learn about its culture and history. You can book these organized day trips below each activity, so check them out.

Best Day Trips From Bratislava In Slovakia

If you want to explore more places in Slovakia and not only Bratislava, check out some of the castles, nature spots, and cute villages on this list below:

1. Devín Castle

Devín Castle was part of two major historical events: the Napoleon Wars and the Iron Curtain.

When Napoleon captured Vienna in the 19th century, he came to the Devín Castle with his army. They wrecked it. Yet you can still explore its ruins nowadays and learn more about Slovakian culture and history.

This Castle is the symbol of the national awareness and reciprocity of the Slovak nation.

It was also part of the famous Iron Curtain, introduced by Willston Churchill in 1948. Devín Castle was in section 14 of the curtain, at the border with Czechoslovakia and Austria. One day, the rules got much stricter, and they banned locals from crossing the Iron Curtain. Many were killed because people were very offensive and wanted to fight against this regime.

➡ Join this organized tour from Bratislava to Devin Castle (incl. city tour)

2. Wine Tasting In The Carpathian Hills

Bratislava is surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Both Slovakia and Austria produce delicious wines in the regions around them. So it would be a pity to miss the experience of wine tasting.

You can try delicious Slovakian wines in a family-run business around Bratislava. They also offer you local snacks such as cheese plates, teach you how they produce wines, and show you how they run the business.

So, if you’re a wine lover, this is one of the best places to taste local wines.

➡ Book this Carpathian Wine Tour & Tasting With A Local Guide

3. Hiking In Fatra Mountains

Slovakia is famous for its stunning national parks, mountains, and great hiking. One of the best mountains ranges to be in is the Fatra Mountains. There are two of them: Lesser Fatra and Grand Fatra.

Lesser Fatra is the closest to Bratislava, which makes it a perfect nature day trip from Bratislava.

You can take a train to Žilina, and from there, take a bus directly to the Vrátna, the gateway to the Lesser Fatra Mountain Range. Once you’re in Žilina train station, turn left, walk across the street, and you’ll see a bus station. From there, take a bus to Vrátna. It leaves from platform number 10.

Once you get through the forest, you’ll be walking on the top of the hills with stunning views of Slovakia. Stop by a mountain hut and taste some delicious Slovakian food, such as bryndzové halušky (bryndza cheese gnocchi) or gulaš.

Then you can make some of the best hiking trails in the Lesser Fatra Mountains:

• Chleb
• Stoh
• Veľký Rozsutec

➡ Book this organized guided tour to the Lesser Fatra Mountains with a local

Hiking To Chleb Mountain

If you decide to hike to Chleb mountain, you must start at the Vrátna Výťah cable car station. You can also take a cable car up the mountain and walk down. Or take the cable car both ways if you don’t want to hike and just want to enjoy the beautiful views.

There is a hut just below Chleb mountain where you can have lunch. It’s called Chata Vrátna (Vrátna Hut).

🔅 HIKE INFO: 2 hours and 30 minutes from Vrátna Výťah to Chleb (one way); full hike up and down is 5 hours, 9 kilometres/3 miles
🔅 HIKING TRAIL: Vrátna Výťah to Snilovské Sedlo (following green hiking sign), Snilovské Sedlo to Chleb (following red hiking sign)
🔅 DIFFICULTY: Easy

Hike To Stoh Mountain

If you want to hike to the Stoh mountain, you’ll have to take the same bus from Žilina to Vrátna Výťah, but get off at 1 station before, which is called Štefanová.

From Štefanová, you’ll walk to the Medziholie and hike up Stoh mountain.

🔅 HIKE INFO: 3 hours and 30 minutes; full hike up and down takes 6 hours, 10 kilometers/6.2 miles
🔅 HIKING TRAIL: Štefanová to Medziholie (following the green hiking sign), Medziholie to Stoh (following the red hiking sign)
🔅 DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate

Hiking To Veľký Rozscutec Mountain

Alike with Stoh, you’ll also start your hike to Veľký Rozsutec from Štefanová. First, you’ll hike to Medziholie (as with the Stoh mountain). Then, from Medziholie, you’ll turn left and ascend to Veľký Rozsutec.

This is the most difficult hike of all three, yet the views are the most beautiful.

🔅 HIKE INFO: approx. 3 hours, the full hike takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, 10 kilometers/6.2 miles
🔅 HIKING TRAIL: Štefanová to Medziholie (following the green hiking sign), Medziholie to Veľký Rozsutec (following the red hiking sign)
🔅 DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult

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4. Explore High Tatras National Park

High Tatras is hands down the most beautiful place in Slovakia. You’ll be blown away by its stunning nature, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and amazing spa/wellness facilities.

You can go hiking, take a train alongside the mountain range, walk around mountain lakes, see waterfalls, or relax in the mountains.

If you visit the High Tatras, take at least a 2-day trip from Bratislava. That way, you can stay overnight in some of the beautiful hotels. It’ll be a great nature day trip from Bratislava.

Stay in one of the following best hotels overnight and enjoy some relaxation:

🔅 APLEND LAKE RESORT
🔅 WELLNESS HOTEL BOROVICA
🔅 GRAND HOTEL KEMPINSKI

👉 READ ALSO: Best Hiking Trails In High Tatras Slovakia

5. Visit Bojnice Castle & Traditional Slovakian Village

Slovakia is well-known for its fairy-tale castles. Unlike Devín, which is more of a castle ruin but with an interesting history, Bojnice Castle offers a unique experience. It’s the most beautiful castle in Slovakia. And it looks like it was painted for a fairy tale with a happy end.

On the way, I highly recommend visiting Čičmany, a traditional Slovakian village with painted houses. This is a perfect spot for lunch or dinner and to see how Slovakians live. The painted houses are beautiful in this village, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to see them.

6. Enjoy Slovakian Thermal Baths With Traditional Slovakian Village

Similarly, you can combine visiting a traditional village (Čičmany) with painted houses with relaxation in one of the best Slovakian Thermal baths. First, visit the Čičmany village, and then enjoy the beautiful rides through one of the most stunning Slovakian regions (Rajec) to the Thermal Spa Aphrodite.

Thermal Spa Aphrodite is located in the Rajecké Teplice village, close to Čičmany. You can pay entrance on the spot and enjoy a relaxing half-day in its thermal spa. Also, book a massage to have an even better experience.

➡ Book this guided tour to Čičmany and Thermal Spa from Bratislava.

7. Travel To Banská Štiavnica & Trenčín

Banská Štiavnica is one of the most charming towns in Slovakia. That’s why I’ve also included it in my Slovakia itinerary. It’s mainly famous for its mining industry. This place is also called Silver Town because Silver has been the primary mining material here.

You can visit the famous mine called Štôlňa Michal and learn more about the mining history of this town.

Interestingly, Maria Theresia established the first University in this town for mining technology in 1762. It was the first University of such kind on the continent.

In the afternoon, you can drive to Trenčín. It’s a Slovakian fashion city with a stunning Trenčín Castle.

8. Visit Fairy-Tale Casltes In Slovakia

Slovakia is home to some beautiful castles. I’ve already recommended one of them – Bojnice Castle, which is one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia.

But you can visit many other castles on a day trip from Bratislava. So, if you’re a castle lover, go on a castle tour through Slovakia within a day. The castles closest to Bratislava are:

• Bojnice Castle
• Trenčín Castle
• Devín Castle
• Budmerice Castle
• Strečno Castle

👉 READ ALSO: What To See In Slovakia In 3 Days: Full Guide

Best Day Trips From Bratislava In Czech Republic

If you feel like exploring another country close to Bratislava, you can make some of the best day trips to the Czech Republic. Here are my top tips for places you can visit within a day in the country.

9. Brno

Brno is one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic. Many Slovakian and Czech students come to study at the University here. So it has very young vibes. When you arrive, the beautiful Cathedral of St. Peter & Pavol will greet you on Petrov Hill.

Brno is the perfect day trip for you if you want to visit the cathedral, stroll through its streets, taste typical Czech food, and go shopping.

Try typical Czech food such as Trdelnik, marinated sirloin (svíčková na smetaně), roasted pork (vepřo knedlo zelo), smoked meat (uzené), baked mincemeat (sekaná pečeně), beef in tomato soup (rajská omáčka).

10. Uherske Hradiste

Uherske Hradiske used to be one of the Czech royal towns in the past. King Ottakar II. founded it in the 12th century. Slavs inhabited it in the 9th century and created the Great Moravian Empire. This city used to play a major role in the empire and became famous.

Uherske Hradiste was one of the cities that Cyril and Methodius, two brothers from Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, visited to teach the Slavs writing and spread Christianity.

The city is in the Morava region, famous for delicious fruit brandy, mainly plum. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in Czech Republic with great buildings, perfect food options, and souvenir shops.

11. Olomouc

Olomouc is my favorite city in the Czech Republic. I visited it many times as my friends were studying Medicine here.

It has a cute center with traditional Czech shops. I especially love Olomouc’s bakeries with delicious pastries and Czech goods. You have to go in and try traditional Czech cakes. My favorite bakery is Pekarstvi Sazava or Sladka Andulka.

Among the most beautiful sights in Olomouc are:

• Holy Trinity Column
• Astronomical Clock
• Olomouc Town Hall
• St. Wencelas’ Cathedral
• Hradisko Monastery

12. Zlín ZOO

I’m not the biggest fan of going to a Zoo. But the Zlín ZOO is great. It’s the perfect day trip from Bratislava to see some animals or if you travel with children. I visited the Zoo as a day trip from secondary school, and I loved it.

It has various sections with different animals, beautiful parks where you can sit and relax, and great food options.

This Zoo will take you to all parts of the world: Africa, Australia, Asia, and America. It’s a real journey around the world.

13. Rocks Prachov (Prachovské Skaly)

These unique rocks are located slightly further away from Bratislava (4 hours by car) but are worth the visit.

Rocks Prachov are giant rocks leading up to the sky with unique shapes. You can walk around the area, take beautiful photos, and have a great nature day trip from Bratislava.

It’s completely free. So park your car near the Information Center and start the walk. There is no need to pay for any entrance.

Once you finish the walk, hop into your car. Drive to the hotel and restaurant called Parkhotel Skalni Mesto. There, you can relax and have lunch. So treat yourself to a good Czech lunch and try traditional Czech food.

👉 READ ALSO: How Many Days In Slovakia Is Enough? Revealed!

Best Day Trips From Bratislava In Austria

If you want to explore another neighboring country from Bratislava, Austria offers some royal cities, stunning architecture, shopping, and stunning nature. So check out some of these trip ideas to Austria that would work as a day trip from the Slovakian capital.

14. Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria. It’s a perfect day trip from Bratislava as it’s just 1 hour by train or bus.

Vienna has a lot to offer. But if you only have a day, visit the St. Stephens’ Cathedral, the center of Vienna, with its shopping options, and try delicious Sacher Torte (traditional Austrian chocolate cake). After, you can head to the Nasch Markt to taste delicious food and hang out with locals.

Don’t forget to see the Hofburg Palace (Sisi’s Princess Residency), Schonnbrunn Palace, and the Opera House.

PRO TIP: You can take a boat and travel on the Danube River from Bratislava to Vienna. The TWIN CITY LINER speed catamaran will take you to the center of Vienna within 90 minutes.

15. Wine Tasting In Wachau Region

If you’re a wine lover and want to visit Austria, visit some of the most beautiful vineyards in Central Europe. You can go on an organized tour from Vienna, visit local wineries, taste delicious wine and homemade products, and visit Melk town.

Below are 2 great organized day tours in the Wachau Region for you. They’re organized by the Get Your Guide agency. They have English-speaking guides and will take you from Vienna to the Wachau Region. So, choose a biking tour or a simple visit to the local wineries:

➡ Grape Grazing: Wachau Valley Winery Biking Tour
➡ From Vienna: Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

16. Pandorf Shopping

Pandorf is a small town in Austria, just 30 minutes by car from Bratislava (34 kilometers/21 miles). Consider making this day trip only if you love shopping for clothes.

Many Slovakians come here to go clothes shopping and buy the newest pieces from worldwide brands.

So drive to the town and visit this shopping village if that’s your interest. You can also stop in Vienna on the way back and kill two birds with one stone.

17. Salzburg & Sound Of Music Tour

Salzburg is my favorite Austrian city. Its stunning scenery, with the fortress and snowy mountains in the background, always makes me cry (out of happiness). If you don’t have much time to spend in Austria and are a fan of the Sound of Music, this is a great day trip from Bratislava.

You can go on an organized day tour from Vienna. They’ll take you to Salzburg in a day. You’ll have a guided tour and visit the famous Sound of Music movie places.

If you want to go by yourself, take a train from Vienna early in the morning to Salzburg. Spend some time in the city and come back to Bratislava until midnight. It’s slightly packed, but you can certainly make it.

➡ Join this guided tour to Salzburg & Sound of Music Locations from Vienna.

Best Day Trips From Bratislava In Hungary

Bratislava has one of the major advantages for travelers, being on the edge of 3 other European countries. So I’ve got even more tips for a day trip to the third country for you: Budapest. Here are the best places you can see within a day from Bratislava.

18. Budapest

Budapest is a lovely city in Central Europe, and I’m always happy to return. From its stunning Parliament to the Danube River promenade, stunning views from the Buda castle, thermal baths, and delicious food. Budapest will capture your heart for sure.

Start by exploring the city’s Buda part with its stunning castle. Next, go to the viewing point to take some photos. Then, walk down to the Danube River and through its promenade until you reach the impressive Parliament.

In the afternoon, spend some time in the city center, go shopping, and taste traditional Hungarian food in the Food Hall. What you can’t miss is Trdelnik cake, langos (fried dough with cream cheese or ketchup and cheese), or a goulash soup.

If you want to relax, visit the famous thermal baths in Budapest.

19. Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is another great day trip from Bratislava. It’s best acessible by car, so you’ll need to rent one to visit the lake. It’s located 242 kilometers away from Bratislava (2 hours & 35 minutes). Either drive around the lake or visit a few towns.

The most famous towns and places to stop in and swim in the lake are: Balatonfüred, Zánkai Youth Beach, Midi Strand, Fonyódi, or Balatonföldvár Keleti Strand.

In addition, you can do a famous hike to the cave dwellings called Barátlakások.

If you drive around the lake, stop in the Tihany town on the peninsula or drive to the south and admire traditional houses with straw roofs.

👉 READ ALSO: Slovakia And Slovenia: How To Tell The Difference

20. Győr

Győr used to be a stronghold against the Turks in the past. It played an important role in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Hungarian history.

It’s a beautiful historical city with many monuments you can visit on a day trip from Bratislava. Or you can see it on the way back from Lake Balaton.

Stroll through its beautiful old town and have lunch in the center. After, I also highly recommend visiting the Esterházy Palace, which is a Baroque mansion. It’s situated in Austria, but it’s considered a branch of Győr’s headquarters art museum.

Practical Tips For Visiting Bratislava

To help you plan your visit to Slovakia and make some of these day trips, I’ve got additional tips for you. See where to stay, how to get to Bratislava, and best time to visit this area.

Where To Stay In Bratislava: My TOP TIPS for Accommodation

Bratislava has some great accommodation options. I especially enjoy staying next to the Danube River with stunning views of the promenade, UFO restaurant, and the nearby bridges.

Here are my top tips and the best hotels in Bratislava for you:

➡ Nft Block & Art Capsule Hostel – budget friendly – book here
➡ Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel – mid-range hotel – book here
➡ Grand Hotel River Park – luxury hotel (with great views of Danube) – book here

How To Get To Bratislava From Other European Cities

Bratislava has a great location, close to other major European cities such as Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. So it’s straightforward to reach the city.

I suggest taking public transportation to Bratislava (either bus or train) and then renting a car in Bratislava for your trips.

How To Get To Bratislava From Vienna

If you’re in the Austrian capital, Vienna, you can easily reach Bratislava by train from the Central train station. There is a train running every single hour to Bratislava.

If you want to go to Bratislava from Vienna airport, I suggest taking the Regiojet bus. Regiojet is my favorite travel company in Central Europe. Their buses are super comfortable, and you can even make a coffee during the trip. Alternatively, you can also choose Flixbus to travel to Bratislava.

➡ Check the best train connections from Vienna to Bratislava here.

How To Get To Bratislava From Prague

If you’re in Prague and want to get to Bratislava, the easiest option is to take the Regiojet train from Prague’s main train station. Their trains are super comfortable, and coffee or tea is included for you, along with a local newspaper, headphones, and their travel magazine. In addition, you can order food that is delicious and super cheap.

I suggest booking the Business classes for your journey (other classes are always super crowded). I’m sure you’ll love the journey. It makes me so happy every time I hop on this Regiojet train.

➡ Get the best train deals from Prague to Bratislava by clicking this link.

How To Get To Bratislava From Budapest

You can either take a train or a bus from Budapest to Bratislava.

The EC train leaves from the ‘Budapest-Nyugati pu‘ station and takes you to Bratislava just within 2 hours & 30 minutes. Sometimes, the Regiojet train runs between Bratislava and Budapest, so check their official website for connections.

If you want to travel by bus, you can take the Regiojet bus or Flixbus.

➡ Book your train from Budapest to Bratislava via Trainline.

Best Time To Visit Bratislava

The best time to visit Bratislava and make these day trips is between late April and the end of October.

The ideal time to visit Bratislava is in May and June or September and October. These months are usually less crowded, and the environment is stunning.

In May and June, you can enjoy beautiful spring and early summer vibes. In September and October, Bratislava and surrounding places spark with their beautiful autumn colors.

July and August are fine for visiting Bratislava, but they are the busiest months of the year.

December is also my favorite month to visit the city as you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas markets.

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions to help you understand Slovakia and its surroundings even better. Check the answers below.

What Countries Are Close To Bratislava?

Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are the closest to Bratislava. You can easily reach Bratislava from all of these countries within a few hours. Vienna is just 1 hour by train or bus from the capital of Slovakia, Prague is 3 hours away, and Budapest is just 2 hours by bus.

How Many Days In Bratislava Is Enough?

1 day is enough for Bratislava. It’s a small city, and you can easily see everything within a day. That’s why I recommend making some day trips from the city to explore more of Slovakia or its neighboring countries.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Budapest From Bratislava?

Yes, you can easily make a day trip to Budapest from Bratislava. The easiest way to get to Budapest is to take a Flixbus bus from Bratislava Nivy Station directly to Budapest.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Vienna From Bratislava?

Yes, Vienna is the closest capital city to Bratislava. You can easily reach it by train within just an hour. It’s a great day trip from the Slovakian capital. Alternatively, you can take a catamaran or a speed boat from Bratislava to Vienna through the Danube River.

Is It Cheaper To Stay In Bratislava Or Vienna?

It’s cheaper to stay in Bratislava. You can stay in Bratislava in a beautiful 4* hotel for less than $200. In Vienna, you would pay almost $300 per night in a fancy hotel.

WRAP-UP: Exploring Bratislava & Surroundings

These are the best day trips from the capital of Slovakia. I’ve selected various trips for different interests, so pick the ones you like the most and enjoy the surroundings of Bratislava. I recommend visiting the places within Slovakia especially, as they’re unique and you’ll get to know a new culture and traditions.

If you have any questions, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you or design a customized travel itinerary for you.

Happy Travels!