Essential Free Tour Bratislava

Stroll along cobblestone streets and fairy-tale castles to see the hidden gems of the Old Town.
Understand with a local guide the dramatic Soviet Occupation and the way to independence.
Get the perfect introduction to Slovakia’s culture, traditions, food, history and future.

Latest reviews

52 Reviews

4.96

15/12/24

Louise, United Kingdom

26/11/24

Jakub was an extremely knowledgeable guide who made everything informative and also fun, so much so that we booked for the afternoon tour. *****

John, United Kingdom

26/09/24

Pauline, France

Bratislava is not only the gate to Slovakia, but also one the most underrated tourist destinations in Eastern Europe. This vibrant, energetic city has so many activities to offer and so much history to cover that your Essential Free Tour of Bratislava will pass just too quickly! Join an expert local guide and a small group of international travelers. And get ready to explore the fascinating old town of this off the beaten path capital! The Main Square (Hlavne Namestie) is the pulsing heart of the city and the perfect place to feel the vibe of this youthful but ancient place. There, the group will find cute white buildings with red roofs, art galleries, fountains, inviting cafés and other important landmarks, such as the National Opera, Zichy Palace, the Primate's Palace, the Cathedral and the Old Town Hall.

Around the Main Square, the group will undoubtedly notice many peculiar statues. These bronze statues are a characteristic of Bratislava old town and were installed by the locals after the fall of the Communist regime, in an effort to inject some life into the area. Among these statues there’s one of Hans Christian Andersen, the writer of the ‘Little Mermaid’, who was enamored of this superb city. Other usually photographed statues are the quirky “Cumil” (the “watcher at work”), who might be spying on beautiful women or maybe avoiding work in Communist Slovakia, as well as the surprising Napoleon’s Soldier, the Paparazzo and Schone Naci. Your group will have a wonderful time taking selfies with these fun and meaningful statues! After this, the group will head to see other interesting landmarks.

A must-see monument in the area is the breathtaking Blue Church—this Art Nouveau temple designed by Hungarian architect Odon Lechner gets its name due to the serene color of its facade, mosaics and blue-glazed roof. It’s simply stunning! The Essential Free Walking Tour in Bratislava wouldn’t be complete without paying a visit to the last standing gate from the former walled Old Town. Michael’s Gate is a 14th-century Gothic tower rebuilt in Baroque style some centuries later. It features a beloved statue of Archangel Michael slaying the dragon on the top. After so much walking, the group will chill out in the restored Old Market Hall, a farmer’s market in a 1910 hall where visitors will find stalls selling a variety of things, including sweets, dry fruits, wine, typical and international ingredients!