Unusual Sights in Bratislava

Perhaps the country is still too young for the capital’s more unusual sights to be promoted specifically through tourism marketing. However, all you need is a keen eye and an open mind, ready to encounter the quirky side of Bratislava. You’ll be amazed at how quickly its curiosities can take you on a fascinating journey through the city.

You don’t need much time to seek out unusual sights in Bratislava; even a short trip to Slovakia will do. A weekend getaway or a few targeted excursions in Bratislava’s Old Town are also enough to encounter the curiosities of a Central European metropolis. One useful way to explore and learn more about Bratislava’s quirks is to stay in one of the city’s hotels or holiday apartments. Yet even on your way into the city, you may pass over Bratislava’s “New Bridge” and encounter its first striking landmark. The New Bridge is home to a spectacular observation tower with a restaurant that looks remarkably like a UFO. The view from the “UFO” across Bratislava, the Danube and part of Slovakia’s countryside is truly unique. By now, your enthusiasm and curiosity will have been sparked, and you’ll be eager to discover all of Bratislava’s unusual sights. You won’t have to look far in the Old Town. Here you’ll find the narrowest house in all of Central Europe. You can spot it near a crooked corner on Michalská Street. Its façade is just a “proud” 130 cm wide. If you want to continue your search for quirky sights in Bratislava, you’ll soon come across statues in the neighbouring streets. The “Peeper” has been attracting attention for years. Bratislava is the only place where you’ll find a statue of a man laughing as he peeks out of a manhole. But the figure of the handsome Náci is not merely a curious sight in Bratislava; it also has a historical story behind it. In the mid-1920s, a man with a cane and top hat is said to have lived in Bratislava, charming people with his friendly, courteous manner. He brought smiles and hope to people simply by giving them flowers, small gifts or songs. Look closely and you’ll also spot a cheeky boy on a wall, either gazing curiously at visitors to the Old Town or simply looking a little mischievous. In the warmer months, you can also explore Bratislava aboard an old bus and perhaps discover the fountain without water. Had the fountain builders not given up when they hit granite, they would have found water just three metres deeper. So, amid all of Bratislava’s curiosities, don’t get stonewalled—keep your eyes open for the unusual and the quirky.