Bratislava’s history will appeal to kids, with the imposing Bratislava Castle being the perfect place at which to let their imaginations run wild. There are also plenty of wilderness areas just outside the city waiting to be explored as well as ski and hiking spots nearby. Visitors from countries with warmer climates may enjoy getting to know the game of ice hockey, Slovakia’s fast-paced national sport.

Bibliana, International House of Art for Children
This child-orientated cultural institution, founded in 1987, is a perfect rainy day option for those travelling with kids. The hands-on activities and artwork exhibits here will keep young ones entertained while there is also has a puppet theatre, puzzles and a drawing centre onsite. 
Phone: +421 2 5443 13 08; www.bibiana.sk/new/budu_prog_e.htm

Botanical Gardens
Comenius University is home to pretty botanical gardens that make for a great place to relax in the summer months. Accessible by tram, the gardens don’t see the same kinds of crowds as other city attractions, adding to their appeal. More than 5,000 plant species can be seen here, making this a hotspot for those with a green thumb. 
Phone: +421 2 6542 1311

Bratislava Castle
A highlight of the city, this Ninth-century castle is just one of Slovakia’s many fortresses. Guarding over the city from atop a hill, the four-tower castle has twice been expanded in its history, once by the Hungarians and another time by the Hapsburgs. Ongoing restorations have helped to preserve the castle’s Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic features. 
Phone: +421 2 59 34 16 26

Cruise the Danube
Cruising the Danube can be fun for kids and adults alike and is one of Bratislava’s must-do activities from April to October. Visitors can board cruises at the riverbank in the Old Town and view the city’s attractions from a different perspective. Day-long cruises are available to Vienna while those with more time on their hands can travel to Budapest.

Ice Hockey
The national sport makes for an exciting game and visitors can experience the thrill of a match at Bratislava’s 8,350-seat Samsung Arena, built in 1940. Expect to see some of the globe’s best players in action, with Slovakia having won the world championship title in 2002.

Skiing
With the Carpathian Mountains just a stone’s throw from the city, skiing is a popular winter activity for visitors to Bratislava. The nearest ski sites are Koliba-Kamzik, on the outskirts of the city, and Pezinska Baba, 25 kilometres away. Accommodation is available at both these ski resorts if you want to make an overnight trip.

Zoo Bratislava
Housing a number of animals from around the globe, the city zoo attracts visitors with its pleasant walkways, hard-to-find white tigers and replica dinosaurs. While not one of the city’s major attractions, the zoo makes for a nice family day out and has something to appeal to all ages. Situated in the Mlynska Dolina district, just outside the city proper, the zoo is easily accessed by local bus. 
Phone: +421 2 60102111; www.zoobratislava.sk/?home

Bratislava is bursting with interesting museums documenting the city’s artistic and cultural heritage, with highlights being the Bratislava City Museum and the Slovak National Gallery Bratislava. After exploring the city’s museums don’t forget to schedule in a performance at the prestigious Slovak National Theatre, where ballet, opera and drama is performed year round.

Bratislava City Gallery
Situated in the city’s charming Old Town, the City Gallery is a must-visit for art fans with over 35,000 pieces of art. Occupying Mirback and Pálffy palaces, attractions in themselves, the gallery is Slovakia’s second largest and has been in operation since the early 1960s. 
Phone: +421 2 544 336 27; www.gmb.sk/en/

Bratislava City Museum
The oldest museum in the city, the City Museum has been open since 1868 and is the best place in Bratislava to gain a perspective on the city’s rich history, from its beginnings to the 20th century. The museum has eight different sites spread across the city, including the main Museum of the City History, the Museum of Arms and the Museum of Clocks. 
Phone: +421 2 592 051; www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/index.asp

Slovak National Gallery Bratislava
Featuring a permanent collection as well as regular visiting exhibitions, the National Gallery in Bratislava is one of five galleries exhibiting works owned by the National Gallery. Among the gallery’s permanent collection are works by Slovakian Gothic and Baroque masters as well as 16th- to 19th-century European art. 
Phone: +421 2 5443 2081 2; www.sng.sk/

Slovak National Museum
Examining both cultural and scientific themes, this key museum plays an important function in educating its visitors about Slovakia. Established in the early 1960s, the museum houses exhibits relating to art history, natural science, puppets and archaeology, among other things. Lining the Danube in the Old Town, the museum is easy to get to. 
Phone: +421 2 59349 111; www.snm.sk/en/?lang=eng

Slovak National Theatre
Drawing visitors with its year-round performances is the National Theatre, housed across a charming historical building in the city centre and a new modern building along the riverbank. Featuring opera, drama and ballet performed by resident professional companies, the theatre has been in operation since 1920 and is one of the country’s most prized cultural institutions. 
Phone: +421 2 577 821 10; www.snd.sk

Traditionally, eating out in Bratislava was not an exciting affair yet the introduction of foods from all corners of the globe has significantly improved dining options in recent decades. Slovak cuisine is based around cabbage, potatoes and onions, with meat and bread also commonly featured. While local dishes are worth seeking out, particularly the fresh bread, most visitors also enjoy trying the city’s international cuisine.

Dishes to try during your stay include potato dumplings with cheese and bacon (bryndzove halusky) and cold cod salad with vegetables and mayonnaise (treska). If you just want a snack, the jam filled, crepe style pancake known as palacinky makes for a perfect light bite for those with a sweet tooth. The city’s Leberfinger riverside restaurant is said to have once hosted Napoleon and is a good place to head for authentic Slovak cuisine.

There are a number of unique souvenirs you can pick up in Bratislava, including Slovakian painted Easter eggs, hand-woven and knitted items, wooden handicrafts, crystal and glassware. The best place to look for these authentic crafts is along Obchodna Ulica, the city’s main shopping street, where speciality stores line the street.

The city’s main squares also have arts and craft vendors, in particular the main Old Town square and Hviezdoslavovo Square. For crystal and glassware, Laurinska Street has an excellent outlet.

The city’s open-air markets also make for exciting, less touristy shopping and are ideal places to catch a glimpse of local life. Stara Trznica in the Old Town is an indoor market selling fresh produce while Zilinska, Polna and Sancova streets have smaller outdoor markets.