During my recent trip to Slovakia, I stayed outside the capital city of Bratislava in a small wine country town called Pezinok. A very kind local friend took me around and showed me the sights, including some lovely places away from the tourist center. I enjoyed exploring the culture, cuisine and history of a country I previously knew little about. Below are the top attractions and restaurants that I encountered during my stay.

Bratislava Historic Center

The historic center of the capital city of Bratislava is an easy highlight for most visitors. Aside from a few slopes, it’s a pleasant walk to go from sights like the Presidential Palace, through the old town and up to Bratislava Castle. The Slovak National Theatre is a great place to center your exploration. Restaurants and bars line the street near here, and souvenir stores are so abundant, they can’t be ignored.

The beautiful Danube River runs by the old town, spanning which one finds the distinctive Most SNP Bridge (otherwise known as the UFO bridge, given its shape). St. Martin’s Cathedral, the largest church in Bratislava and one of the oldest, is near the waterfront. From here, there’s a short walk along the historic walls leading to a bridge that crosses over the highway toward the hill leading to the castle.

A particularly unique destination in this area is the Museum of Clocks at the House of the Good Shepherd. It’s exactly what you would expect: old clocks in an old house. Quaint for those who like a peaceful look at antiques.

My favorite experience was simply wandering through the historic center and exploring as we walked. The old town isn’t huge, so getting lost would take some effort. Viewing the sunset from Bratislava Castle is also recommended as you get a view of the river, as well as a glimpse of Vienna in the far distance.

Dining in Bratislava

There’s no shortage of restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightclubs in this tourist hub, but a few places really stood out. The history nerd in me absolutely loved our visit to Kláštorný Pivovar, a monastic brewery dating back to 1690. The interior of this restaurant and brewpub is historic and highly photogenic. They also serve local cuisine heavy enough to soak up several liters of beer. As it’s popular with visitors, a line may form, but thankfully the restaurant is really large.

For lighter fare, Balans Brunch Bar serves coffee, pastries and vegan food in a cozy environment just outside the historic center. I’m not vegan, but I really liked the food and vibe.

For a more scenic evening, the riverfront offers restaurants as well.

Outside the Capital

Pezinok sits a short train ride away from Bratislava. Here you can find a countryside lined with private vineyards. The town is small but has its own history and cultural attractions. I had a nice first evening meal at Ristorante Lalia Pizzeria. I loved the kitschy interior and the expansive menu. Despite the offering of pizza, I chose something local: Bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon, the national dish of Slovakia. They also had regional beer on tap at ridiculously low prices.

In Modra, I finally tried some local wine at the beautiful and cozy restaurant Starý dom. With a brick-lined interior and classy service, this otherwise casual restaurant serves finely prepared and plated meals with a cabernet sauvignon so good I got the same one twice. Slovakia does not joke around with its quality of wine.

Trnavy was another great visit. It has its own historic center, though I didn’t have much of a chance to explore it in depth. What I did love was Synagóga Cafe, a coffeehouse and eatery located inside a former synagogue. Everything about this place is cool from the ambiance to the clientele.

From Bratislava, it’s also fairly easy to take a day trip to Vienna via the train. Bratislava hlavná stanica is the main station where you can find connections to other cities in the region.

These were just some of the notable attractions in Slovakia that I had the pleasure of experiencing. There are so many more sights to see, of course, from the modern section of town to those less frequented by visitors. Thankfully, the city is perfectly sized and laid out for easy exploration.

If you liked this post, consider checking out my photos and videos on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. I also have a collection of photos and short videos of Slovakia collected in an Instagram Highlight you can view.