Excursions from Bratislava: the best day trips around Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, a very young nation that only gained independence in 1993 with the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The city sits on the banks of the Danube, like the neighbouring capitals Vienna and Budapest, and for centuries it has been home to prominent figures who have shaped the history of Central Europe, also serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary for over two hundred years.
The charm of its history is immense, but it is closely linked to the surrounding area: find out below which are the must-see destinations and the best day trips around Bratislava!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Bratislava

1 - Vienna

Vienna, the Austrian capital, is only 63 kilometres from Bratislava, making it just an hour's drive away.

Treat yourself to a day in the Habsburg city of art and history by visiting Hofburg, the former imperial residence consisting of no less than 2600 rooms, where you can see the royal flats and the extremely rich collection of the Austrian treasury. Slightly more peripheral is Schönbrunn Palace, the elegant palace where the likes ofEmpress Sissi and Napoleon Bonaparte lived. But Vienna's heritage doesn't stop at royal residences: from St Stephen's Cathedral to the City Hall, every street in the city centre will give you a taste of art and culture.
Don't forget to taste the sacher cake, the city's pride and joy, and the marzipan sweets dedicated to Mozart.
SEE ALSO: Vienna in a Day Tour

• Distance: 63.4 km

• How to get there: the two capitals are well connected by various means of transport, the city can be reached either by bus with Flixbus (€8.99 each way) or by train (€10.80 or €16.00 depending on the train) with frequent journeys lasting around an hour, but also by boat with a romantic trip on the Danube - Get directions

• Timetable: for the timetables of Vienna's main attractions, see What to see in Vienna

• Ticket prices: For the prices of Vienna's top sights, see Vienna must-sees. We recommend purchasing the Vienna Pass to save on attraction costs

• Card, ticket and tour recommendations: Vienna: 1-day sightseeing bus tour and free Wi-Fi

2 - Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is easily reached from Bratislava in about two hours. The city is one of the most visited destinations in Europe, as well as in the world, because of its charming architecture and the entertainment on offer.

Budapest is divided by the river into two parts: the oldest is called Buda, a name acquired from the castle it houses, the Buda Castle with its monumental façade of over 300 metres, and the Sandor Palace, the current residence of the president of the republic. Crossing the picturesque bridges over the Danube you will find yourself in the Pest area, the most 'modern' area, where the Parliament is located and where a visit to Europe's most famous thermal baths is a must.
SEE ALSO: Budapest One-Day Tour

• Distance: 184 km

• Directions: The meeting point for the suggested tour is in the 5th district, near the Parliament, at the Cityrama Gray Line agency. To get to Budapest by public transport, there are frequent two-hour train (€29.20 each way) and bus (€15.99 with Flixbus) journeys and river connections on the Danube by tourist boats - get directions

• Timetable: the tour departs at 09:30 or 14:00 from Budapest and lasts 4 hours. For timetables of Budapest's main attractions, see What to see in Budapest

• Ticket Costs: For the costs of Budapest's main attractions, see what's must-see in Budapest. To save on attraction costs, we recommend purchasing the Budapest Card

• Recommended cards, tickets and tours : Budapest discovery tours

3 - Devin Castle

Devin Castle is a fortress strategically located on a rise between the Danube and Morava rivers. The first fortification dates back to the 8th century, but the site has been occupied since prehistoric times by virtue of its elevated position, which has hosted both Celts and Romans. Over the centuries, the castle was the focus of numerous clashes over territory, until its destruction in 1809 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Among the ruins that can be visited today is the Maiden's Tower, a small watchtower where it is said many young women were imprisoned at the behest of their families, and that they preferred death to a life of imprisonment.

• Distance: 12.2 km

• How to get there: It can be reached by bus on line 29, or by boat from the Fajnorovo nabrezie port; if you choose the guided tour, pick-up is available directly at your hotel in Bratislava - Get directions

• Hours: from May to September the castle is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, closing later at 7:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays; in April and October it is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, while it is closed in the winter months

• Ticket price: full price €3.00, reduced €1.30 for children, students and senior citizens; guided tour including transport costs €94.00 per person

• Recommended cards, tickets and tours : Devin Castle: 3-hour guided tour from Bratislava

4 - Banska Stiavnica

Photo by Rudo Mlich. Banska Stiavnica is a medieval village located in the heart of Slovakia, about 164 km from Bratislava. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the town was once one of the most important mining towns in Europe, specialising in silver mining.

There is a legend about the founding of the town: a shepherd saw two lizards covered in gold and silver dust on the mountains, and following them he found the precious metals. To this day the mining museum is one of the main attractions of Banska Stiavnica, along with the Old Castle built against the Turks, the New Castle, the statue of the Holy Trinity and the Plague Column.

• Distance: 164 km

• How to get there: The most comfortable way is by bus, and then on foot through the centre, timetables can be found on the local transport website; for the organised tour pick-up directly at the hotel - get directions

• Timetable: the city can always be visited; the suggested tour leaves Bratislava at 8:00 am and lasts 10 hours

• Ticket price: the suggested tour costs €190,00 per person

5 - Piestany Spa

About 82 kilometres from the Slovak capital, Piestany has been recognised as an international spa town since 1956, although it was half-popular as early as the 19th century for its mud baths.

The area's ten natural springs provide sulphurous water on a daily basis, which is particularly suitable for those suffering from rheumatic diseases or motor disorders.
In addition to the thermal baths, this Slovak town also hosts an aquapark, perfect if you are travelling with children, and several cultural exhibitions, especially during the summer.
Throughout the year it is an ideal destination for a day of relaxation.

• Distance: 82 km

• How to get there: by bus from AS Mlynské nivy, a journey of approximately one hour - get directions

• Hours: the main lifts are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Ticket price: varies from €15.00 to €30.00 depending on the wellness centre and treatments chosen

6 - Bojnice Castle

Located in the town of the same name in the Trenčín region, some 185 kilometres from the capital Bratislava, is Bojnice Castle, which traces the entire history of Slovakia from the Middle Ages to the present day. In fact, from the first written documents referring to the castle, it was discovered that the original structure was made of wood, and later fortified in stone to adapt to the conditions of the terrain.

From a medieval fortress, it later became an elegant Renaissance castle, and continued to undergo architectural changes to be adapted to the taste of different owners. Of particular interest inside are the Golden Hall, named after the ceiling covered in gold leaf, and the Baroque chapel with its splendid Gothic stained-glass windows.

• Distance: 150 km

• How to get there: by public transport arriving in Prievidza by train from Bratislava (€14.20) and then taking a local bus or by car, reducing the travelling time; the recommended tour includes pick-up directly at the hotel - get directions

• Hours: the castle museum is open Tuesday to Thursday from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00, Friday from 8:00 to 12:00

• Ticket price: €10.00 for adults, with different reductions for seniors, children and students; the price of the recommended tour with transport to and from Bratislava is €135.00 per person

7 - Cerveny Kamen Castle

Photo by Teslaton. Cerveny Kamen Castle is located just 36 km from Bratislava, nestled in the greenery of the Little Carpathians. The original structure was a Hungarian defensive fortress, but it was demolished and rebuilt during the Renaissance period and used as a storehouse for precious metals, taking advantage of its strategic proximity to Vienna and Bratislava.

The cellars in which the metals were stored are among the castle's main attractions, and are considered among the largest in Central Europe. Along with the cellars, it is possible to visit a museum area with Hungarian as well as Italian works in a large collection of furniture, porcelain and textiles.

• Distance: 36.8 km

• How to get there: By bus, the nearest bus stop is Zakladina, from where you will then need to walk about 2 km; the nearest railway station is Pezinok, about 15 km away, from where you will then need to take a local bus - Get directions

• Opening hours: November to February from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm; March, April, September and October from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, closing at 5:00 pm on weekends; May to August closing is delayed by one hour both on weekdays and weekends

• Ticket price: full price €7.00, various reductions are available for families, students, children and the elderly

8 - Small Carpathian Wine Region

In the foothills of the Little Carpathians mountain range lies Slovakia's most important wine-growing area, on what is known as the Wine Road, from around Bratislava to Smolenice.

The Small Carpathian wine tradition has ancient origins, tracing its roots back to Roman times. Along the approximately 60 kilometres of the wine road, you will find numerous rural villages where you can stop for tastings of typical goose dishes and local wine, accompanied by museums and exhibition galleries on the history of Carpathian wine. Nature lovers and hikers will also find plenty to enjoy thanks to the various scenic and hiking trails.

• Distance: 51.4 km

• How to get there: The best way to explore the wine route is to travel by your own vehicle or take an organised tour, given the vastness of the area's offerings and the poor public transport links; the recommended tour picks up directly at the hotel - get directions

• Timetable: the suggested tour starts at 12 noon and lasts a total of 6 hours

• Ticket price: the tour costs €134.00 per person

• Card, ticket and recommended tours: Bratislava: 6-hour Carpathian wine tour and tasting

9 - Trnava

The city of Trnava, some 47 km from the capital Bratislava, is nicknamed Slovak Rome, or even Little Rome, due to the presence of numerous churches. It is also an archiepiscopal seat and home to two important universities: the University of Trnava and the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Trnava.

Of all the churches in the city, the Church of St Nicholas, the oldest place of worship in the city, and the Church of St John the Baptist, one of the most beautiful neo-Baroque churches in Europe, deserve special mention. Trnava, however, is not just about churches: visit the old Gothic walls that have defended the city since the 13th century and the Status Quo synagogue, which houses a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.

• Distance: 47.9 km

• How to get there: Trnava and Bratislava are connected by frequent train (€7.40 one-way) and bus (eurobus, €4.00) rides; if you choose the former, the journey will certainly be shorter, taking about 24 minutes - Get directions

• Opening hours: the Church of St Nicholas is open daily from 7.15am to 8.30pm

• Ticket price: admission to the main city churches is free of charge

10 - Nitra

Photo by Lestat. Nitra is the oldest town in Slovakia, with the earliest historical references dating back to the 9th century. Even today, it remains one of the most important centres of the country. It is the fourth largest city in terms of population and is an important commercial and cultural centre thanks to its two universities.

On your day in Nitra, visit the remains of the castle and city walls, along with the beautiful St Emmeran cathedral in which Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles are layered. Finally, of more recent date is Svätoplukovo Square, designed in the communist era to house a replica of a rocket that was never built, but still has a steep pavement dating back to its design as a rocket launching pad.

• Distance: 83.3 km

• How to get there: The two cities are connected by both bus services (Turancar, Flixbus, approx. €5.00) and trains (€14.20), for a journey time of approx. 1 hour 40 minutes - Get directions

• Hours: Nitra Castle is open daily from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, while access to the museum collection is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed on Mondays

• Ticket price: Access to the castle area only costs €0.50, while the ticket including the museum costs €2.00.