This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Bratislava remains the only guide dedicated to this compact and increasingly popular city. Split into 10 easy-to-follow chapters, everything from local politics and cultural etiquette are covered in the opening sections, followed by planning, practical information, local transport (including the new bike-sharing scheme), accommodation, eating and drinking, entertainment, nightlife, sports and shopping. City walks are also included, focusing on the main sights and beyond, plus sightseeing, from castles and palaces to museums, galleries, churches, gardens and parks. Beyond the city itself there are sections on Devin, Cerveny Kamen, Ancient Gerulata - Rusovce, the Small Carpathian Wine Route, Senec, Piestany Spa, Trnava and Kosice. There are also useful reference sections on language (pronunciation and words and phrases) and sources of further information. The legendary Casanova knew Bratislava and declared it 'the most beautiful city in Europe', and he knew a thing or two about beauty. Situated by the mighty Danube River and nestling in the Small Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is a good-looking capital filled with good-looking people who look like they're enjoying life. This is a city which effortlessly blends history with hedonism, where world-class restaurants have been joined by a clutch of quality coffee houses and literary tea and bookshops. Bratislava's small size is satisfying: it's compact and visitor-friendly with many superbly-curated museums and not one but two opera houses, rivalling those in Budapest and Vienna. In short, Bratislava is the perfect destination for a weekend break, a romantic city break, a family holiday or as a base from where to discover the underrated attractions in the rest of Slovakia, and with Bradt's Bratislava you'll have everything you need for a successful trip. AUTHOR: Born and educated in the UK, Lucy Mallows spent 16 years in Budapest and Brussels, working as a photo journalist, travel writer and translator. An expert on central Europe who spoke seven languages, including Russian, Hungarian and a fair attempt at Slovak, her passions were travel, music, swimming, photography and football! Sadly, Lucy passed away early in 2018. This edition has been updated by Tim Burford, who started writing guidebooks for Bradt in 1991, in Romania and Poland, and also led hiking trips in the mountains of Romania, Poland and Slovakia, so passed through Bratislava quite often until 2003

Table of Contents:
How to use this guide Introduction Chapter 1 Contexts Geography, Climate, Natural history, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Religion, Culture and festivals, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively Chapter 2 Planning A practical overview, When to visit (and why), Highlights and suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money and budgeting Chapter 3 Practicalities Tourist information, Local tour operators, Embassies and consulates, Money, Media and communications, Religious services, Public toilets Chapter 4 Local Transport Public transport, Bratislava by bike, Taxis, Car hire, Danube river cruises Chapter 5 Accommodation Luxury hotels, Four-star hotels, Three-star hotels, Pensions, Hostels, Camping Chapter 6 Eating and Drinking Food, Drink, Restaurants, Cafés and tearooms, Bars, pubs and clubs Chapter 7 Entertainment, Nightlife, Sport and Shopping Theatre, Music, Nightclubs and discos, Casinos, LGBT+ Bratislava, Cinema, Sports, Shopping Chapter 8 Walking Tours Walk one - Old Town, Walk two - castle and beyond Chapter 9 Museums and Sightseeing Major sights, Museums, Galleries, Churches and religious buildings, Gardens and parks, Squares, Bridges, Also worth a visit Chapter 10 Beyond the City Devín, Ancient Gerulata, Rusovce, Senec, Small Carpathian Wine Route, Cervený Kamen, Trnava, Piestany, Kosice Appendix 1 Language Pronunciation, Words and phrases Appendix 2 Further Information Books, Websites Index