Life
Bratislava city life
With a population of only 500,000, Bratislava has a relaxed atmosphere, lacking the cram and noise of other capital cities. The city has beautiful sights, with the Danube river crossing the city and the hills (called “White Carpathians”) surrounding it.
You will be fascinated by the Bratislava Castle that dominates the city, now serving as the Slovak Parliament, and housing collections of the Slovak National Museum. Some other attractions include: the Devin Castle, St Elizabet’s (Blue) Church, St. Martin's Dome, the Primatial Palace, boat rides on the Danube and the UFO restaurant on the top of Novy Most (New Bridge).
In the city-centre, you will find many cafes, pubs, restaurants and clubs. Bratislava has a fun and active night life, both in the Old City and around student dormitory areas. Locals here are welcoming to foreigners and you will enjoy a rich and diverse international community.
If you feel like going outdoors, you can go hiking and explore some winter sports in the Tatra Mountains, which are within easy reach of Bratislava. Bratislava is the only capital city that borders two countries, Austria and Hungary, and you can travel to Vienna (one hour away) or Budapest (two and a half hours) by train.
International atmosphere in Bratislava
Bratislava attracts many foreign students to pursue a full degree, an academic diploma or a short course abroad. Erasmus exchange students are especially popular at universities in Bratislava. You will be able to get by using only your English knowledge, as most young people here, as well as people working in tourist areas of the city speak good English. Czech, Polish and German are also popular in Bratislava.
Over 1.5 million tourists visit Slovakia each year, and Bratislava is the main attraction. Most of the visitors come from the Czech Republic, followed by Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Austria, Hungary, and Russia. You will be exposed here to a genuine multicultural experience, interacting with tourists and your international peers.
Weather Bratislava
Bratislava has a mild climate, with four seasons, warm summers and cold winters. During summer, the average high temperatures are 25°C (77°F), and in winter they can drop to -1.7°C (29°F) on average. The period from May to September is often considered the best season to visit this capital at the centre of Europe.
