Capital With a Small Town Feel

Charming and compact Bratislava is the world’s only capital city bordering two countries, Austria and Hungary, and centers around the beautiful Danube River. South is the modern city and a peaceful forest, but the real Bratislava attractions are over Novy Most (New Bridge), an impressive structure with a UFO-like pylon. The castle on a rock overlooking the Old Town offers the best views of it. The rock itself has a Jewish cemetery and a literally underground club.

Across the street, St. Martin’s Cathedral was the coronation site of past Hungarian kings. The cobbled streets behind are lined with outdoor restaurants and bars. The city’s specialty is treska, a cold cod salad, washed down with white wine from the nearby Small Carpathian mountains.

The main square is Hlavne namestie, home to pastel-colored buildings, a 14th-century town hall housing the city museum, and the Bratislava Christmas markets. Hodzovo namestie square features the Peace Earth sculpture and Baroque Grassalkovich Palace, the presidential residence guarded by the Slovak National Guard. Across the park is the Archiepiscopal Palace, seat of the government. All around are many Bratislava hotels, B&Bs and apartments available on Booking.com.

Before heading to Bratislava Airport, visit Kamzìk TV tower, whose revolving restaurant and observation deck offer magnificent city views.