This European Town With Staggering Castles Is Breaking Tourism Records

With summer season all however wrapped up, it is time to shine a lightweight on the second half of 2025. As laborious as it’s to consider, fall is correct across the nook.

Europe exudes timeless allure and fall magic put up Labor Day, and you will get away with sporting white since there aren’t any unwritten societal guidelines governing your closet.

There’s one pleasant metropolis stuffed with head-turning quirks, Outdated City allure, and a staggering fort overlooking the calm riverfront and vibrant cityscape.

As such, it is easy to see that considered one of my favourite European cities is dropping its “hidden gem” card, turning into a serious draw as an alternative choice to Europe’s well-documented overtourism issues this summer season.

The winding cobbled maze, inviting pubs, and outright weird arts scene right here can have you simply as magnetized as another metropolis, and it is solely develop into simpler to achieve by air lately with a brand new report many guests join from main hubs like London and Milan.

We at Travel Off Path acknowledge Slovakia is probably not a reputation you had in your bingo card for a fall journey, but being an hour away from Vienna and providing ample flight choices, do not sleep on considered one of Europe’s most magical and pleasant cities, who simply had their best summer on record.

Bratislava: Time Your Journey Simply Proper To Beat The Crowds

Teetering on the nook of the Slovakia-Austria border lies Bratislava, a metropolis that is undeniably rising in recognition however nonetheless missing mainstream fame.

To be sincere, I used to be blown away by how superior this metropolis was after I went on a whim after I used to be priced out of Vienna, deciding to hop aboard an inexpensive FlixBus to take a look at a neighboring nation I knew diddly squat about on the time.

I did not comprehend it was anchored by an unmissable spaceship. I positively wasn’t anticipating all of the oddball artwork installations, nor did I even notice the Danube River flowed by means of, making for an ideal approach to begin your day with a scenic riverfront stroll.

Although it has been years, Bratislava is stamped in my thoughts’s eye as one of many locations that stunned me most in the most effective of the way, in good firm with Luxembourg.

Apparently, I am not alone. Within the month of July alone, Bratislava noticed a whopping 358,898 air passengers, which implies fellow Flix-ers would not have been tallied.

Summer season is unfortunately coming to an in depth, a time when most vacationers use their PTO. The record-breaking numbers will certainly drop off quickly, however the excellent news is Bratislava is gorgeous this time of yr.

Backdropped by the staggering (and rightfully named) Bratislava Citadel, the Danube tree traces blush with crimson and gold within the crisp air, excellent for perusing cafe-laden Outdated City or higher but, the primary metropolis I attempted mulled wine (sure, that is positively a suggestion).

Who Says No To Citadel-Hopping? Bratislava Oozes Storybook Vibes

When you can flip away from the sudden UFO Bridge (which you’ll be able to go inside for the observation deck and dinner), it’s important to go to Bratislava Citadel, perched on a Stone Age hillside, standing the check of time.

This highly effective image of Slovakia is steeped in historical past, however we’ll save your eyes from a dry historical past lesson.

You’ll be able to go to the on-site Museum of Historical past, that includes everlasting and rotating exhibitions that chronicle Slovakia’s timeline, from the Center Ages to the current day.

Given it is set atop a steep hill, anticipate a little bit of a trek. The truth is, I am simply going to inform you to pack sturdy footwear as a result of the cobbled stones listed here are one other stage of, nicely, cobble?

When you attain the height (and it will not take lengthy), plan to remain some time and savor the views.

I’ll say even a couple of years in the past, simply as Bratislava was edging on “fashionable” standing, it was laborious to snap a photograph with out strangers’ heads in the way in which, so anticipate that much more so now.

Nevertheless, that is all of the extra cause to go to one other lesser-known fort close by —Devin Castle.

Situated about 6 miles west of Bratislava, this sight to behold has been fortified since prehistoric occasions and solely prices $9 for admission.

You’ll be able to benefit from the views of the Danube much more realizing there are few vacationers to fret about crashing your excellent photo-op.

That is simply the tip of the nonexistent iceberg, although. Listed below are a couple of extra close by castles to go to :

• Červený Kameň Citadel (50 minutes away)
• Pajštún Citadel (35 minutes away)
• Schloss Hof (half-hour away; in Austria)

Do not Sleep On Slovak Delicacies

The $9 admission payment might have caught your eye. Sure, Bratislava could be very inexpensive throughout.

I stayed at Hostel Outdated City and it was an ideal bang for my buck, not solely price-wise, however I swear it may need been extra spacious than my present condominium.

But when there’s one facet I used to be genuinely shocked by, it was the meals scene. Some Central and Japanese European nations get a foul wrap, however I used to be pleasantly stunned.

When you’re the Oktoberfest type, you then’ll positively love what Slovakia has to supply. Suppose hearty sausages and hefty mugs of ice-cold beer that put Bud Gentle to disgrace.

It is peasant meals performed proper – not the tasteless stuff.

Plus, one little-known facet about Bratislava is that it is truly a wine nation, set within the Little Carpathians Wine Area with its personal official wine route for enjoyable day journeys exterior the town limits.