Bratislava Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Bratislava Castle and the castle hill

Bratislava Castle crowns the hill above the Danube, a large white square building with four corner towers that has become the symbol of the city. The hill has been fortified since prehistoric times, and for nearly three centuries Bratislava served as the coronation city of the Kingdom of Hungary. After a great fire in 1811 the castle lay in ruins for more than a century, until it was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s.

The bus climbs the steep castle hill so you do not have to, and you can get off to walk around the courtyards, the baroque gardens and the terraces with views over the river, the Old Town and, on clear days, neighbouring Austria and Hungary. Entry to the museum inside the castle is not included. If you are wondering how to get to Bratislava Castle easily, the hop-on hop-off bus is one of the best options.

The UFO Observation Deck

The Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, nicknamed the UFO Bridge, opened in 1972 and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Bratislava. Its single slanting pylon carries a flying-saucer-shaped structure about 85 metres above the Danube. An express lift takes you up to the observation deck on its roof, the highest viewpoint in the city.

From the deck you see the castle, the spires of the Old Town, the long river, the modern towers along the bank and the vast housing estates of Petržalka, and on clear days the view reaches far into Austria and Hungary. Your pass includes priority entry, so you skip the ticket queue. The best time to visit the UFO Observation Deck is late afternoon, when the low light makes the city glow.

The Blue Church

The Blue Church is a small church built in the early 20th century in the Hungarian Art Nouveau style and painted entirely in soft shades of blue, from the walls and the round tower to the glazed roof tiles and the mosaic above the door. Its curving shapes and decorations make it look almost like a cake, and it is one of the most photographed buildings in Bratislava.

The church stands in a quiet street a short distance east of the Old Town, which makes it awkward to reach on foot for many visitors, but the bus stops close by. Inside, the single nave continues the blue theme with simple, elegant details. Visits inside are usually possible around service times, but most travellers come for the exterior; the morning light is the best for photos of the Blue Church.

The Old Town and the Danube embankment

The compact Old Town of Bratislava is a car-free maze of baroque palaces, small squares and pastel facades, with sights such as Michael's Gate, the Old Town Hall and the Gothic coronation cathedral. The bus route circles the historic centre, passing the Slovak National Theatre, the Reduta concert hall, the Presidential Palace with its public garden and sections of the old town walls.

The departure stop is right at the edge of the Old Town near the Danube embankment, so you can begin or end your day with a walk through the lanes or along the river promenade. With a full-day pass you can mix walking and riding as you like. These are among the best things to do in Bratislava in one day, without the effort of climbing the hills on foot.