Bratislava Guide - Home
Being Bratislava with Ben Pascoe
This April 2012 interview launches our new Being Bratislava series – introducing the best of Bratislava through cool people who live here. "You should look forward to the unexpected....
EVENT: Viva Musica Festival June 23-30, 2012
Viva Musica, the eighth year of the modern festival of classical music, is without a doubt a highlight of the 2012 Bratislava summer. Its line up of attractive yet accessible concerts in locations throughout Bratislava's centre promises opera and classical music stars of world renown.The festival opens on Saturday, June 23 at 8 pm in the Main Square with a tribute to the Slovak legend, late musician, actor and performer Jaro Filip....
Bratislava Pubs and Bars, Edition 2012
It has been some time since we have written about all the new and 'in' pubs and bars popping up in the center of Bratislava. Bars in Bratislava are improving and upgrading, old ones are getting refurbished or closed down and the bars open up at many new locations....
Bratislava Cafe Culture Evolving in Leaps
Bratislava has discovered the allure of cool cafes. A few years ago, Next Apache run by a Canadian expat was pretty much the only cool place to go. But over the last year or so cool cafes have sprung up around the Old Town, a few even turning into successful chains overnight....
Norwegian to Launch Flights from Bratislava to Oslo and Copenhagen
Norwegian Air Shuttle announced new routes connecting Bratislava airport with the Scandinavian destinations such as Oslo and Copenhagen starting in the spring of 2012. The Norwegian low-cost airlines launched the sale of flight tickets on November 23, 2011 and will operate its flights two times a week. Starting on March 28, 2012, the new provider will offer flights to Oslo every Wednesday and Saturday and from May 3, 2012 customers can travel to Copenhagen every Thursday and Sunday....
Christmas Markets November 25 - December 23, 2011
Bratislava Christmas Markets take place annually from late November to December in three central squares - Hviezdoslavovo Square, Main Square and Frantiskanske Square. The squares fill up with wooden booths with vendors offering traditional Slovak Christmas decorations and gifts and a variety of traditional food and drinks....
EXHIBITION: Bratislava Biennial of Illustration (BIB) of children's books September 2-October 26
Bratislava's Biennial of Illustrations (Bienale ilustracii Bratislava), a biennial juried exhibition of children's book illustrators, takes place in September and October 2011....
EXHIBITION: Danubiana to Present 'His Own Way', a Large Kaplicky Exhibition Sept 9-Dec 4, 2011
Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum located a short drive from Bratislava will present an extensive cross-section of work of famous Czech-born architect Jan Kaplicky under the title 'His Own Way'....
GUIDE: Bratislava Nightlife, Dining, Clubs, Bars
UPDATED IN SEPTEMBER FOR THE AUTUMN 2011 SEASON!Pubs For the more cosmopolitan and mixed crowd, try the city centre - you will find many places and try one of the ones advertising Slovak beers such as Zlaty Bazant....
Zakovic Open - Little but Great
By Daniel Sukup Those who are not into huge massive festivals, but are still interested in some quality open-air music, might be interested in Zakovic Open. For ten years, Zakovic Open has been creating a great atmosphere and lots of fun, along presenting various artists and music genres....
Sum 41 at Topfest 2011
By Daniel Sukup Beginning of July has for the past years belonged to another great summer music festival in Slovakia – TOPFEST. It is a celebration of rock, metal, punk and ska music, but lately the organizers have added new dance stage that is appreciated when people need to switch to something softer....
Festival Season Approaching – Rudava on the Schedule
By Daniel Sukup Summerbeach Rudava belongs to the first wave of summer festivals in Slovakia, taking place usually by the end of June. It is a unique project that combines music and sports....
Editor´s Picks for June 17 - June 24
We owe you an apology on that Free Wine Giveaway. It seems that a member of our staff was not very attentive and forgot to include the link to our Facebook page. I welcome you to get involved in winning yourself free taste-testing tickets....
Win a Free Wine Tasting by Leaving a Witty Comment
By Allan Stevo We here at Bratislava Guide were recently given a few free tickets for complimentary wine tasting at the National Salon of Wines in Pezinok and wanted to share them with our readers, but instead of just giving them to our favorite readers or giving them to our most active readers, we decided to make this giveaway a little fun....
Prix of Slovak Republic Motorcycle Circuit Championship - June 17-19, 2011
by Jakub Hanzel This is the most prestigious and biggest motorcycle competition in Slovakia. This year organizers expect a high number of spectators. This competition of motorcycles belongs to the international series Alpe Adria Cup, and racers from countries belonging to the so called Alpe Adria zone (Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and others) participate in it....
Duhovy Pride 2011 (Rainbow Pride 2011)
by Jakub Hanzel The second annual Gay Pride Festival in Bratislava will take place during the week starting on the 30th May ending with the big march on June 4, 2011. The official program for the march starts at 1:00 p.m....
REVIEW: Sindibad - An Iraqi Restaurant in Bratislava
By Claire Sturm In the mood for just a snack and a shisha, habibi? Owned by an Iraqi who has been in Bratislava for over 20 years, Sindibad has the vibe of the Middle East , complete with pop music of the region....
Bratislava Clubs
Let us be frank: Bratislava is no mecca of hardcore clubbing. But there are decent venues with some decent nights and if you get to spend a few days you should find a good party of any genre....
Find Interesting Events in Bratislava On Our Events Calendar
Whether you are into music, sports, language, bars, culture, dancing, fun with friends, art, books, adventure sports, drive-in movies, libraries, museums, good food, backpacking, wandering, exploring, taking guided tours, people watching our Bratislava Events Calendar has the latest events around Bratislava for you....
See Every Museum in Town During the Night of Museums
By Jakub Hanzel Are you looking for new experience and great memories from Bratislava? You might already be familiar with the idea called Night of Museums, or also known as Long Night of Museums....
Bratislava Living the Hockey Dream - IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship 2011
For over two weeks in May 2011 Slovakia turns into Hockey Republic with Bratislava as the world's hockey capital. Lots of Slovak fans and fans from the other seven countries playing in the Groups A and D of the World Ice Hockey Championship have descended on Bratislava to celebrate....
Dmitri Hvorostovsky Opera Gala at Viva Musica Festival Bratislava, 30th July 2011
Bratislava, July 24, 2011 (BratislavaGuide.com) - World-renowned Russian baritone opera singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky will perform in Bratislava, Slovakia July 30, 2011, as part of the Viva Musica Festival....
13th International Francophone Film Festival Bratislava - April 13 - 17, 2011
By Jakub Hanzel -- April 12, 2011 This International festival is as always in the spring festival selection of Bratislava. It brings over sixty movies and short films from France, Belgium, Romania, Israel and Canada....
Museums are Free All Weekend During Bratislava for All
By Jakub Hanzel April 12, 2011 This weekend will mark the eighth time that Bratislava will be hosting the "Bratislava for All" open house event. In the past, this event used to be connected to the day of St....
Day of Modra Wine Cellars 2011
Modra, a city with a centuries old winemaking tradition will open its cellars to the public on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring the wines of 18 local winemakers....
Bratislava Hiking and Biking
Hiking in and around Bratislava Hiking is one of the favourite pastimes for many Slovaks. The numerous hiking routes around Slovakia are easy to follow thanks to an official system of colour symbols along the way (usually on trees, rocks or lamp-posts)....
Food Review: A Tasty Steak House Near the Hockey Stadium
By Claire Sturm Meat lovers rejoice! While it might be a bit of a hike from downtown, Towers Restaurant is a good place to find tender juicy steaks. The point here is to come with a fairly clear idea of what you want....
Daily Deals in Bratislava's Old Town
by Amy M. Wicks If you are a traveler who enjoys sampling the local fare, traditional meals cooked at inviting restaurants, tempting drinks served at neighborhood establishments, during your journeys, then you know that it is easy to spend lots of cash this way during a trip....
Tipping in Bratislava
The idea of tipping in the last 15 years, much to the chagrin of many Europeans, has been spreading eastward at a steady pace. Slovakia is not a country where a large tip is necessary, and tipping a standard 20% may leave your waiter wondering if you forgot your money....
REVIEW: Casa Inka - A Peruvian Restaurant You Must Try
By Claire Sturm If you are in the mood for something a little different than bryndzove halusky, Casa Inka is the place to go for a little trip to South America, and Peru in particular....
Ice-Skating in Bratislava 2011
By Jakub Hanzel January 14, 2011, Bratislava (BratislavaGuide.com) - A favorite winter free-time activity, will become even more accessible on Saturday the 15th January 2011....
Bratislava Taxi - How to Order One Cheaply
Bratislava, December 22, 2010 - Unlike some central European cities, Bratislava has a relatively cheap and convenient system of taxis. With a little knowledge of how the system works, tourists can avoid traps and high prices....
Bratislava on Video - Christmas Shopping in Bratislava
Take a look at these two videos from Alicia Cooke. She has been traveling the city with her camera finding the best that Bratislava has to offer. The magnificent Alicia Cooke takes you through the Bratislava Christmas Market with energy....
Bratislava Welcomes Fresh Fish Season!! - Ask the Knowledge Concierge
Dear Knowledge Concierge, Why is it that there are swimming pools full of fish that have suddenly popped up and are now situated around Bratislava?I don't like the smell of fish.Sincerely,Unhappy Harold Dear Harold, Thank you for your note....
Warm up in this Local Cafe and Used Book Shop
Next Apache is a cafe and used bookstore with interesting and perhaps even influential Slovak and English speaking clientele that are happy to engage in discussions with a visiting traveler....
The City Christmas Market isn´t the Only Game in Town
Those looking to celebrate Christmas and do some Christmas shopping have other options in Bratislava outside of the Christmas Market. Dni Vianoc at Incheba Incheba is a convention center just across the Danube in Petrzalka....
Concert in St. Martin´s Sunday by Britain´s Finest
Be among the first in Bratislava to hear the new organ that has been installed in beautiful St. Martin's Cathedral. St. Martin´s Cathedral, one of Bratislava´s most well recognized landmarks, will be hosting an organ concert Sunday 12 Dec 2010 at 18:00....
Tips for This Year´s Christmas Market
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Goose Feast Guide - 'Husacie Hody' Guide
A traditional meal of goose and local specialties becomes popular in Bratislava on and around St. Martin's Day – November 11 and through the Christmas season. Our "Goose Feast Guide" will tell you all you need to know about the tradition of having a lavish goose dinner or "husacie hody" as it's known in Slovak....
The Christmas Market is Here - November 19-December 23, 2010
The annual Christmas Market will run from the evening of the 19th of November to the 23rd of December in Bratislava's Main Square. Food and drinks typical of the season will be on sale....
International Christmas Market at PKO this Sunday
The 20th Annual International Women's Club Bazaar will take place this Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 10:00 - 16:00 at PKO. Admission is € 3 for adults and € 2 for children (6-18 years old) and seniors....
Come in Out of the Cold for some Cream of Garlic Soup
As the weather grows cold and wet, it's going to feel good to have a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. Treat yourself and stop by "The Brewery" where we found a great bowl of cream of garlic soup in a delicious bread bowl € 2.90....
Fantastic Exhibit on Czecho-Slovak Legions in WWI
Depending on who you listen to, the Czechoslovak Legions gave the founders of Czechoslovakia considerable influence at the post-WWI bargaining table. The Czechs, Slovaks, Ruthenians, and others sought to break from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and form the state formerly known as "Czechoslovakia." The legions caused trouble in the USSR - from the Ukraine to Vladivostok - and were not able to be subdued by the authorities of the fledgling Soviet state....
Bratislava on Video - Ordering a Drink in Slovak
Impress your friends and impress the good looking bartender with this guide to Slovak. In a four minute video, Alicia Cooke will have you speaking fluent Slovak as you place your drink order....
Four ‘Must-See’ Directors? – We’re Skeptical
Mundruczo, Nadjari, Trapero "It's truly an honor to enjoy the presence in Slovakia of three of the most talented filmmakers of their generation. Still in their thirties, Hungarian Kornel Mundruczo, French Raphael Nadjari, and Argentinean Pablo Trapero have each accomplished in a dozen years a very consistent body of works and share the privilege of already being Cannes Film Festival regulars," Matthieu Darras, the film festival's artistic director, writes in the festival guide....
Attention Film Groupies – this post is for you – How to meet a star
The festival brings a plethora of internationally recognized directors, actors, and members of the film industry to town. Some will be here to deliver a public lecture, others will be here just to watch film.Chances are, any of them would take an interest in joining you for a cup of coffee.Read the festival newsletter each day to see where these special guests are appearing.Attending one of their lectures is likely to be a great way to meet a star.If you talk nicely to one of the gals working the accredidations booth, they might just tell you what big names are around town and how to get in touch with them.Or who knows, maybe they'll even let you know about an exclusive VIP cocktail that you can crash....
Making the International Film Festival in Bratislava Better
Because I attend IFF Bratislava every year and because I'm very fond of the festival, I want to see IFF be the best film festival it can be. If you have a complaint, please go to the festival office, make your complaint, and request a follow up to the complaint by email....
3 special films that we’ll be watching at this year’s festival
A few films have caught our eye this year. We especially recommend the following three films at this years festival. From Here to Eternity. (page 232 in the festival catalog).This Hollywood film features the longest kiss scene in film....
13 Slovak films at International Film Festival Bratislava
Thirteen longer Slovak films will play at this years 2010 International Film Festival Bratislava. Additionally many other shorter Slovak films will appear as part of the "Azyl."Azyl will show Slovak films alongside films from all over Europe of 1 and 5 minute lengths.These films can be difficult for a non-film aficionado to appreciate, because, well, they don't behave like a full length film and can tend to seem more like exercises than films....
Handling a Complaint at the International Film Festival Bratislava
At times, Slovakia might not feel very customer service oriented.However, there are many exceptions to this. There are two "organizations" operating at the film festival 1....
How to Get into a Sold Out Show at the International Film Festival
When in doubt - ask and then ask again. The film festival used to have this fantastic "for the love of film" kind of feel to it. Theaters would be packed, empty seats would be filled by people off the street who had no tickets, 30 film students would just come into full theaters moments before show time and find a place on the floor without anyone giving them a hard time....
What is Papucova Noc a.k.a. Slipper Night?
Imagine this.At around 11:30p.m., on Friday, November 12, a few hours after the film festival has officially closed, more than a thousand people make their way towards AuPark. They come in groups with their tickets in hand.They are ready for a fun night of great movies in packed theaters....
Tips for International Film Festival Bratislava
Below are some tips for having a great festival. Be sure to get tickets for evening performances a few days in advance because these can quickly sell out. Be in your seat five minutes early (or else it could be given away)....
How do I get tickets for the International Film Festival?
Tickets For tickets, you have two options: 1. You can buy tickets one-by-one for your favorite movies – the cost of which is 3.30 for each individual ticket.You can buy these tickets at the sign marked "IFF Cashier" at Palace Cinemas in Aupark....
How's the International Film Festival Work?
It takes some time to figure out how all of this works, but the basic idea, as you know, is to learn about the movies and to buy a ticket at the movie theater.The ways to get that done are listed below in more detail....
European Rafting Cup 2011 - May 28 - 29
By Daniel Sukup The European Cup in Rafting takes place every year in numerous countries around Europe. Each country organizes one event a year as a part of the Cup. Since the white water rafting center in Cunovo, near Bratislava, was completed, it has hosted the European Cup every year....