Spring

Cultural spring

A springtime visit to the city can give you a shot of positive energy. For one weekend of the year, in the second half of April, museums, galleries and sports venues managed by the City Magistrate open their doors free of charge as part of the Bratislava City Days event. During this particular weekend, the city welcomes the arrival of spring with various events, including concerts and street performances, organised around the city.

You can also enjoy new season of Bratislava CARD that offers free entries to 23 museums and galleries in the city as well as other discounts.

Lovers of culture and history will also find something to do in May, as they can visit the studios in Nova cvernovka and enjoy a rich program during May 1: Open Ateliers Day. If you manage to come during the Long Night of Museums in May, you can enjoy Bratislava museums and galleries for the price of one ticket.

Spring in Bratislava is also the Sharpe Music Festival & Conference, when you can find interesting music projects from all over the world in the city.

Slovak National Gallery

Green Gems

The Medical Garden and the Presidential Garden, both located downtown, are well sheltered from the roar of the city transport. You can also visit one of the events held in the parks inside and outside the city, such as Festival of Contemporary Circus – Cirkul’Art and Weekend of Open Parks and Gardens.

For more wilderness, take a trip to Devin castle on the outskirts of Bratislava and easy to reach by city buses or car – here, the Moravia river flows into the Danube, and from the castle hill, on the very borders of the country, you can see the Austrian bank of the Danube.

 The Presidential Garden

Just a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, Bratislava’s second largest park Janko Kráľ Park extends over what were formerly floodplain forests on the right bank of the Danube. It was founded in 1775-1776 and it is one of the oldest public parks in Europe. The original French-style park was transformed into an English-garden style landscaped park in 1832. At the end of the 19th century, the original Gothic tower of the Franciscan Church was transferred to the park.

Another hidden gem is Horský Park, a forest park just outside the city centre. At one of the entrances to the park you will find the historical building of the ‘Horáreň’ (Gamekeeper’s House). It has become a popular venue for cultural events  and is a nice place to catch up with friends over a cup of coffee or tea after a stroll in the forest park.

Next to the Bratislava Castle you can visit a Baroque garden for free.

In Karloveská Zátoka,Danube’s bay, you can rent a boat and take a ride around this unique place or visit the Botanical Garden. The garden, which is owned and run by the Comenius University, is not only a depository of a large number of indoor and outdoor plants, both local and exotic, but also a nice place to go for a peaceful walk if you need a break from the city.

The biggest green area, popular with picnic lovers, runners and families, is Železná studnička. Take a boat ride on one of its lakes or hop on a small cableway to take you to Kamzík Hill with its TV Tower restaurant.

 Botanical Garden

Spring Markets

Come in the springtime and Farmers’ markets take place in several parts of the city on different days of the week. Bratislava is no different from other European cities, where fresh and local products bought directly from the producers are seeing their renaissance.

Farmers markets are vibrant, offering the best of the region’s produce, usually accompanied by other events like presentation of crafts or music concerts. Every Saturday of the year, market in the Old Market Hall is held in a friendly atmosphere. Once a month, the square in front of the market is filled with food trucks full of street food as part of the Street Food Park.

If you fell for the fashion of urban markets, do not miss out on a very pleasant event, the Good Market (Dobry Trh) at the Panská street and Jakubovo Námestie, where local food and handmade products are the main attractions.

 Foto: Dobrý trh

Several other gastronomic events are held in the city, where local and foreign cuisines are presented, combined with tastings, live performances and creative workshops. There is something for everyone: Spring Vegan Feast, Craft Beer Festival, Coffee Festival and more.

If you can’t make it to any of the events, you can still have a nice picnic. From April to August, you can find red tables and chairs all over the city, where you can sit and relax for free, or eat a snack and drink coffee from the ubiquitous cafes. Project Sit Down! / Sadni si! has been a on the map of the city for several years now and is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Sadni si! BKIS

Sporty Spring

Those more athletically inclined should visit Bratislava in March or April. The Bratislava marathon has been organised in the capital since 2006. During the event, Bratislava experiences the atmosphere of a big city marathon, with runners from all over the world taking part. Please note that you will need to register in advance to secure a place.

Albeit somewhat smaller and more local with over 5,000 participants, the National Run Devin – Bratislava in April has a much longer tradition and its organisers claim it is the oldest athletic event in Slovakia, with the first-ever run from Devin to Bratislava taking place in 1921. The route is 11,625 metres long and the crystal trophy for the winner of the run dates from the 1930s.

Bratislava is also a place to be for those who prefer biking. In recent years, a number of cycling routes have been opened around the city, connecting it with neighbouring Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary. There are many great cycling routes also inside the city center.

Cycling over the Morava river

If you like what you see, come and spend spring in Bratislava with us ~