Bratislava Summer 2008 - Hottest Bratislava Summer Tips
Lakes, swimming pools, lidos
There are more than ten swimming pools, - open air, natural lakes or lidos in Bratislava. Most of them are open to the public during the summer season and often offer also places for other sport activities including football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball or mini-golf.
Zlate Piesky (Golden Sands)
Zlate piesky is an artificial lake area with grounds covered by sand. Zlate piesky area is situated near exit freeway to Trnava at Senecka cesta. Some accommodation possibilities (try Hotel Remy) as well as many other facilities are provided including mini-golf course, volleyball, football and basketball fields, life-guard also included.
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Zlate Piesky is terminal stop for many public transport lines including trams no. 2, 4 and buses no. 53, 56 and 65.
Kuchajda
Kuchajda - the well known natural lake is open for public in summer, situated not far from Train station Nove mesto and close to "Polus City Center" shopping mall. Stands with cold drinks and fast-food are available.
Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Trams no. 1, 2, 4 and buses no. 51 and 58 stops on Zatisie (Lake Kuchajda)
Velky Drazdiak and Maly Drazdiak
These two artificial lakes were created in 1950's and 1960's when first block of flats were built in Petrzalka, part of Bratislava city. Lake shores consist of gravel and lakes are heavily visited during hot summer days thanks to their proximity to resident houses in Petrzalka. Both lakes are surrounded by green forests. Express bus line no. 198 stops at Maly Drazdiak.
Free entry. Express bus line no. 198 stops at Maly Drazdiak.
Pasienky
Sport area Pasienky offers two indoor swimming pools - the larger one 50 metres long and the smaller 25 metres long one. Pasienky are open to the public during the whole year but close all or part of the pool for certain sports events and training. Situated at Junacka street, Pasienky are not far from "Polus City Center" shopping mall and football stadiums Slovan and Inter.
Trams no. 1, 2, 4 and bus no. 53 stops at Odbojarov
Tehelne pole
Tehelne pole is an open air swimming pool situated at Odbojarov 9. Football stadiums are situated in the vicinity.
Open daily. From Mondays to Fridays from 12 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. Trams no. 1, 2, 4 and bus no. 53 stops at Odbojarov
Matador
Open air swimming pool Matador (called "Matadorka" by locals) is open during summer season, situated at Udernicka, not far from Petrzalka Train Station.
Open daily. From Mondays to Fridays from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 7 pm. Entrance fee SKK 30 (EUR 0.99). Kupalisko Matador is terminal stop for bus no. 80.
Inline Skating and Cycling
In the centre of the town (on Petrzalka's board of Danube, behind the Old Bridge) starts an inline track, which is as long as your strength can reach. The mound, man-made part of the barrage, which is between Danube and Petrzalka is covered by velvet asphalt which is ideal for inline skaters and cyclists. Track leads to Cunovo (about 18 km), popular place because of its resort for water sports, mainly for canoeing and water slalom, and to Gabcikovo (about 48 km), gigantic Slovak river dam.
The track from the town to Cunovo is literally surrounded by snack stands, there are also skate rentals. In many places track is divided into two independent lanes, so that skaters and cyclists don't collide with each other.
Starting point (behind the Old Bridge in Petrzalka) is not far from
Safarikovo namestie where trams no. 1, 11, 12, 13, 14 and buses no. 50 and 95 stop.
Bratislava caffes, pubs, bars and restaurants
Bratislava Old Town's caffes, pubs, bars and restaurants offer very pleasant refreshment during hot summer days serving cold drinks at outdoor patio tables. We encourage you to try some of Slovaks' favourite summer non-alcoholic beverages - Kofola, a cola, but much more refreshing and lighter on sugar. The other popular option is Vinea, Slovak soda with white or red grape juice, very refreshing and tasty as a mixer. Many of Slovak and Czech beers are also served, in half litre (large) and 0.3 litre (small) glasses. Try one of Slovak beers: Zlaty Bazant, Kelt, Corgon, Smadny Mnich, Topvar or go for Czech beers such as Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Starobrno, Cerna Hora, Krusovice or Kozel.
Day trips to Bratislava surroundings
Beautiful Devin Castle (Hrad Devin) is one of the oldest castles in Slovakia. Mentioned first in 864 A.D. Devin is situated by a junction of two rivers - Danube and Morava. The place had been inhabited from prehistoric times and was a part of Linus Romanus, a defensive rampart of the Roman Empire. Devin Castle is an object of archeological exploration and there are some exhibitions open to the public - Great Moravia and Bratislava, Devin during Roman times, The Celts in the Central Danube Region and more... Take bus no. 29 from central stop by the Novy Most Bridge (near Hotel Danube) to terminus stop Devin. Or alternatively you can ride hydrofoil on Danube river. Also see article with further day trip suggestions at www.BratislavaHotels.com
Bratislava souvenirs
If you are looking for souvenirs, visit Hlavne namestie (Main square) in the centre of the Old Town. There are many kiosks that sell hand made wooden sets, small statues, flower honey, hand made candles and other souvenirs made in Slovakia. A number of shops are scattered around the Old Town with a varied souvenir offering.
Parks and gardens in Bratislava
Image courtesy Mr. Lavery.
It is always great to rest under the trees in parks or gardens of Bratislava on a hot summer day. Bratislava of the 19th century was a town of calm parks and gardens, many of them planted by Beautification Society of Bratislava. The Beautification Society of Bratislava was funded by local entrepreneurs. They supported the efforts of volunteers to make former Bratislava (Pressburg) full of peaceful green places. Many of the parks and gardens once started by the Beautification Society have been destroyed during the 20th century, however there are still some nice places left.
Sad Janka Krala
Sad Janka Krala, park named after Slovak poet is situated in Petrzalka district of Bratislava near Aupark shopping mall. Sad Janka Krala is a large park near the Danube river bank abundantly visited by locals on foot, bike or skates. The park is easily accessible by public transport (take bus from Zochova to Aupark), but we recommend you walk across the New Bridge from the Old Town. It takes only 15 minutes to get there.
Medicka zahrada ("Medical" Garden)
The so called Medical Garden lies in the center of Bratislava, just about five minutes walk from the streets of the Old town. Its name comes from the vicinity of the Comenius University's Faculty of Medicine. Medical Garden is a very calm place to stay during high summer temperatures. Many Bratislavians come here to relax or play popular frisbee or volleyball.
Botanicka Zahrada (Botanical Garden)
Expositions are parted into exterior and interior plants. You can see tropical and
subtropical useful plants, australian plants green house, mediterrian vegetation or Japanese garden and many others expositions.
From April 1 to October 31 the garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Greenhouses are opened from Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 3 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee SKK 40 (EUR 1.32). Trams no. 1, 4, 5, 9, 12 and buses no. 28, 29 and 32 stops at Botanicka Zahrada.
Photos courtesy of district Bratislava Nove Mesto.
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