Welcome to Bratislava
Never to be shortened to Blava.
BRATISLAVA AT GLANCE
📍 Capital & Largest City of Slovakia
👥 Population: Officially ~475,000, estimated over 660,000
🗣️ Languages: Slovak (main), but many speak English, German, and Hungarian
💶 Currency: Euro (€)
Bratislava is located in the southwest near the borders with Austria and Hungary, it’s uniquely positioned on both the Danube and Morava rivers. Historically known as Pressburg, the city has a rich multicultural past and was once the coronation and legislative center of the Kingdom of Hungary. Eleven kings and eight queens were crowned in St. Martin’s Cathedral. Today, Bratislava is Slovakia’s political, cultural, and economic hub — home to the president, parliament, universities, museums, and vibrant cultural life.
HOW TO GET HERE
✈️ By plane
Bratislava offers regular flights to destinations like Athens, Cairo, Dublin, London, Malta, and Antalya, though routes may vary slightly depending on the season. For more options, Vienna International Airport is just 45 minutes away by bus.
Bratislava Airport: bts.aero/en
Vienna Airport (Alternative): viennaairport.com/en/passengers
🚅 By train
Slovakia is easily accessible by train, with major European routes passing through or nearby. There are direct connections to cities in Germany, Italy, Hungary, and neighboring countries. Train fares are generally low, and the network is well-developed — making train travel one of the most comfortable ways to get around.
Students with active ISIC card can travel for free on Slovak trains. If you’re doing an internship through a university, they can help you get the necessary documents for free train access.
Slovak Railways: zssk.sk/en
RegioJet (Private rail): regiojet.com
🚌 By bus
Most European countries have direct bus connections to Slovak cities. Companies like Eurolines, FlixBus, and RegioJet offer frequent and budget-friendly routes.
Eurobus: eurobus.sk/en
FlixBus: flixbus.com
RegioJet: regiojet.com
🚗 By car
Slovakia is still expanding its highway network, but most smaller roads are in good condition and well-marked, similar to those in Western Europe. Driving is straightforward — no road taxes or fees are required, except for highways, where a vignette (highway ticket) is needed. Hitchhiking is legal and quite common, except on major highways.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bratislava has a well-structured public transport network, including buses, trolleys, and trams, making it easy and efficient to get around the city.
Before traveling, we suggest downloading the official IDS BK app. It allows you to buy tickets, plan your route, and check incoming buses. Students benefit from discounted fares — for example, a 30-minute ticket for one zone costs just €0.49.
You can also purchase a travel card for longer stays. More details here:
🔗 Travel Cards Information
DISCOVERING LANDMARKS
Bratislava Castle is a historic landmark in Bratislava. It stands on a hill above the Danube River with amazing city views. The castle has origins in the 9th century and has been rebuilt over time. It now houses the Slovak National Museum and various exhibitions. Visitors can explore its beautiful gardens and enjoy panoramic views from the castle grounds.
How to get there?
By trolleybus no. 44/47 to Zámocká – bus stop.
BRATISLAVA CASTLE
The Presidential Palace, also known as Grassalkovich Palace, is the official residence of the President of Slovakia. It was built in 1760 in a Rococo and Baroque style and originally served as a nobleman’s summer residence. While the interior is not open to the public, visitors can admire the beautiful French-style gardens behind the palace.
How to get there?
By bus no. 93 to Hodžovo námestie – bus stop.
GRASSALKOVICH PALACE
The Main Square is the historic heart of Bratislava’s Old Town. It’s surrounded by colorful buildings, charming cafes, and local shops. The square is home to the Old Town Hall, one of the city’s oldest buildings. The area often hosts markets, concerts, and festivals, especially during Christmas and summer.
How to get there?
By tram no. 1, 3 or 4 to Centrum – tram stop
MAIN SQUARE
Námestie Slobody is one of the largest squares in Bratislava, located near the city center. It’s known for its striking Fountain of the Union, which is one of the biggest fountains in Slovakia. The square is surrounded by notable buildings, including the Slovak Technical University and the former Slovak Radio building.
How to get there?
By bus 39, 31, 80 to Kollárovo námestie or bus 44, 42
SQUARE OF FREEDOM
Kamzík TV Tower is a prominent landmark located in the Bratislava Forest Park on the Kamzík hill. Standing 200 meters tall, the tower offers panoramic views of the city and beyond. It also houses a revolving restaurant and an observation deck, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
How to get there?
By trolleybus 203 or 207 to Koliba, then take hiking path to Kamzík
KAMZÍK TOWER
The Most SNP (Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising), commonly known as the UFO Bridge, spans the Danube River connecting the historic Old Town with the Petržalka district.The bridge has an unique cable-stayed design with no pillars in the water. On top of the bridge is a UFO-shaped observation deck and restaurant with panoramic views.
How to get there?
By tram or bus to Most SNP – tram/bus stop.
BRIDGE SNP
Slavín is a prominent monument and military cemetery situated on a hill overlooking Bratislava. It honors 6,845 Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Bratislava in April 1945. The site offers panoramic views of Bratislava, making it a popular spot for both reflection and sightseeing.
How to get there?
By trolleybus no. 41 to Búdkova – bus stop.
SLAVÍN
Sad Janka Kráľa is one of the oldest public parks in Central Europe, established in the late 18th century. It’s located in the Petržalka district, just across the Danube River from Bratislava’s Old Town. The park is named after Janko Kráľ, a famous Slovak poet, whose statue stands proudly in the center.
How to get there?
By bus to Pri sade – bus stop
JANKO KRÁĽ PARK
The Slovak National Gallery is a top art museum in Bratislava, located by the Danube River near the Old Town. It features a wide range of Slovak and international art, from medieval to modern times. Admission is free, making it a great cultural stop during your visit to the city.
How to get there?
By tram 1, 4 or bus 70 to Námestie Ľudovíta Štúra bus stop
SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY
ZOO Bratislava is a popular zoological garden located in the Mlynská dolina area. It is home to over 1,100 animals representing more than 150 species from around the world The zoo focuses on conservation and education, featuring endangered species like the European bison, Amur tiger, and Siberian lynx.
How to get there?
By bus 31, 39, or 93 to the Zoological Garden stop in Mlynská dolina
ZOO BRATISLAVA
DISCOVER MORE
NIGHTLIFE
THE CLUB BRATISLAVA
Located in the very heart of Bratislava, The Club is the city’s biggest and most exclusive dance venue, offering the ultimate nightlife experience. Enjoy unforgettable nights filled with top-tier entertainment, stunning drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere. Dance the night away to live performances by popular Slovak artists like Rytmus, Majk Spirit, and Igor Kmeťo, while enjoying spectacular dance shows and a state-of-the-art hexagon LED wall. With 400 m² of luxurious space, VIP tables, and an ultra VIP Skybox, The Club is perfect for those seeking a high-energy, stylish night out in Bratislava.
KC DUNAJ
It’s not just a club. It is a multifunctional cultural and entertainment center that connects different worlds. From subculture to pop culture, from art to science, and from entertainment to education. Kácečko is a place where these diverse spheres meet and intermingle. During the day, you can enjoy a lot of interesting and inspiring presentations that are organized in this space. At night, Kácečko comes alive with live music and themed parties that will get you fired up.
CHANNELS CLUB
Channels is the place where the word sleep is not in our vocabulary, because we are open 365 days per year from 9pm till the morning.
If you are looking for fun and an all night party, you’ve found the right place! Channels Club offers three floors of fun and great music mixed by our resident DJs every day. Whether you want to go back to the nineties, get glamorous with R&B and hip-hop, feel Cuban with latino music or enjoy the night like it is your last, Channels is for everyone.
ŠAFKO
Šafko Klub is a hidden gem in Bratislava’s nightlife, located in the historic underground spaces of the Krym building at Šafárikovo Square 7. This vibrant venue offers a diverse music program including electronic nights, live concerts, drum’n’bass, house, hip-hop, and queer parties—mainly on weekends from around 8–9 PM until 3 AM. Whether you’re into raving or just curious to experience the real Bratislava after dark, Šafko offers a uniquely local and energetic vibe.
IAESTE Team
Hello 🙂 We are IAESTE Bratislava, a passionate team dedicated to making your stay in Slovakia excellent, comfortable, and full of great experiences. We’ll help you settle in, share tips and tricks, and make sure you enjoy your free time in Bratislava. In the meantime, we also organize job fairs, travel events, and other student activities. You can always find us in our office — feel free to drop by.
Local committee
Janka Brestovičová
President of Local Committee Bratislava
Michaela Ďurikovičová
Vicepresident of Local Committee Bratislava
Summer Reception Coordinator
Romana Žilková
Local Leader for Exchange
Martin Kvietok
Summer Coordinator