Bratislava From a Visitor's Point of View

Pleased by the fact that the airport transfer bus was on time, and the pilot's announcement that the weather conditions in Bratislava were suitable for landing, I could really start to enjoy my holiday. I hadn't been to Slovakia for 5 months and so I've taken the opportunity toreview the capital from the point of view of a visitor.

It took us about five minutes to get on the bus to undergo the 30 second transfer to theairport gate. There are not many flights at the Bratislava airport, therefore they cherish every single landing and like to give passengers the ride. The totally empty arrival lounge testifies to the idle periods between flights.

An empty arrival lounge

The city was covered in snow, which can cause the traffic to collapse in the capital. Mountainous areas in the northern part of Slovakia are usually hit by temperatures as low as -25C. It is not just cold, but it actually hurts. But the people are used to it, equipped with shovels and skis. Plus you can build a snowman.

Me and my brother took the bus from the airport and headed for the city. We passed through the Trnavské Mýto marketplace, one of the main traffic hubs in Bratislava. I named it Bratislava's Piccadilly Circus, due to the Coca Cola bottle on top of the building.

Trnavské Mýto marketplace

Used to the British press, I read a two page article in a Slovak paper, but had not learned the point of it. Nor did I see the mentioned protesters in front of the Presidential palace which resembles Buckingham Palace. Maybe, they were discouraged by the cold.

The Presidential Palace

We did not have time to visit my favourite place, the streets near the Michalská Brána - one of the city's gates. The terrace cafes and nice shops remind me of Soho or Covent Garden. As with London, many people find Bratislava too busy, dirty or tiresome, but go to live there because it offers job opportunities and life. There is a joke that at the weekend half of Bratislava travels home to eastern Slovakia.

Michalska Brana

Below is Bratislava Castle, former burgh and later the site of the president. The four towers are similar to the Tower of London. Walking the streets, be careful not to trip over the man 'Čumil' climbing out of the drainage.

Bratislava Castle and the unusual 'Čumil' statue

Travelling is a bit of a problem in Bratislava, mainly during the peak times. You can take a bus or a tram, but a more interesting type of transport are the 'trolley buses'- buses run on electricity. Sometimes the antennae located at the top of the bus fall down, the connection is lost and the driver has to pick up a stick to put them back up.

A Trolley Bus

After a bowl of soup with my friend on Obchodná Street- a bit like Oxford Street with fancy shops, and bilingual restaurant menus and signs ("knihy" translates as books) and friendly staff- we headed for home. Initially, we wanted to take a train, but the station was closed because of the frozen rail. So we parted from my cousin whom we met at the station, (it was the third time I unexpectantly ran into him in Bratislava, which proves that the city is not as big as it appears) and headed for the bus. Waiting in line to buy the tickets from the driver, with fingers half frozen, we reckoned that purchasing online tickets should be compulsory. 

Obchodná Street

So how do I rate the Slovak Capital overall? The services and infrastructure do not make it to the top ranks (though there are eight McDonalds), but definitely can compete with other big  European cities. However, the city welcomes any tourist with its friendly atmosphere, and cheap drinks prices. Indeed, I have met many people going for a booze trip to Bratislava.

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Read more of his posts here.

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