It was the third day of our cruise, and while I had planned to sleep late, my body woke itself up at 7:30. Why fight it? I was looking forward to our day in Bratislava.
It was a beautiful, summery day with just a hint of a cool breeze, so I opened the drapes and windows as soon as Dan began to stir. There’s little to see onshore apart from beautiful nature, but that’s a blessing. There were so many birds along the shore that their joyous songs carried into our stateroom.
Tip for first-time river cruisers
Today’s morning view from our balcony
We had met a delightful couple while we were staying in Budapest before our cruise. They were taking their first Viking cruise and leaving the day after us. I’d promised that if they didn’t enjoy themselves, I’d be shocked.
This morning started off on a great note when I received their email: Wow! Just boarded the Atla today, and I have to say it exceeds all expectations. Let’s keep in touch. –Tomm
Unlike our friend Tomm, who came to town early, many of the people we’ve met onboard arrived in Budapest just as we set sail. It’s Day 3 of our cruise, and they are still grappling with jet lag. Some opted out of yesterday’s activities to catch up on sleep, and today, a few even dozed off on the sun deck!
What a waste! They paid a premium for this river cruise, and now they’re sleeping through the very experiences they came to enjoy.
ⓘ PRO TIP: Arrive in your cruise departure city a few days early. It gives you time to relax, explore, and shake off any jet lag before the fun begins. Not to mention, arriving early means you won’t have to worry about missing the boat due to a flight delay.
This is the second Viking cruise we’ve taken and both times, we arrived a few days early and had plenty of time to adjust to the local time zone. That meant we were rested and ready to make the most of our cruise experience from day one. Not to mention, we had the chance to check out Basel, Switzerland before the cruise began!
Safety first
No matter how tired people were, no one could sleep too late this morning! At 10:00, a loudspeaker announced that everyone was expected on the sundeck for a mandatory safety drill. Bring your life jacket; it’s required.
We found them under the bed, just as they said we would.
The drill itself took only a few minutes once everyone had assembled.
With a view like this, no one minded waiting for everyone to assemble.
Our first lock
Today was a perfect morning for the Sun Deck, and many people were making acquaintances, chatting, and just plain happy to be in the sun and fresh air. The deck filled up as we approached our first lock. Everyone wanted to watch as we passed through.
It was a tight fit.
River cruise vessels were designed to fit into locks perfectly.
Having lived in Panama for so long, it was a unique experience to be passing through a lock ourselves and waving to the folks on the viewing platform. We had always been the ones waving from the sidelines, while ships passed through the Panama Canal. This time, we got to wave to the spectators!
Captain Oliver was on deck and stopped to chat with a few of us. He told us that we will pass through 68 locks on our voyage. Odds are that the locks will lose their appeal by the time we get to Amsterdam, haha.
Wheelhouse open house
Later on, they hosted an “open house” of sorts in the ship’s small Wheelhouse, where the Captain can usually be found, steering the ship. The Wheelhouse has a unique feature you won’t find on ocean-going vessels: It can retract all the way down to only a few inches above the Sun Deck! That’ll certainly come in handy whenever we pass under a low bridge!
It was so pleasant to sit out on our balcony, just watching the bucolic countryside glide by and enjoying the weather. Relaxing like that is rare for us. Actually, we were having such a good time peacefully doing nothing that we completely missed the morning’s presentation at 11:30.
I was disappointed to have missed our Program Director’s lecture about Vienna Coffeehouses and its famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Bratislava walking tour
Around 2 pm, we arrived in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city. Captain Oliver couldn’t have docked Bragi any closer to town if he had tried!
Passengers could choose between two walking tours:
- Bratislava City Tour: “A bus tour and a guided walk of Slovakia’s charming capital”
- Bratislava Walking Tour: “A fascinating walk around the historic town.”
We had been looking forward to a guided tour of Bratislava… until we learned that there was an optional tour that offered an opportunity to meet a Slovak family in their home! We were happy to pay for it. It would be interesting to hear firsthand accounts of what life is like in Slovakia, both before and since the Communist regime ended. We’d also have a chance to taste Carpathian wine!
HOWEVER: If you’re not on a river cruise—or if you aren’t interested in history—this wine experience is cheaper and takes less time. There’s also a free city and castle tour that you can take. Book it here and tip the guide well!
What to see in Bratislava with limited time
Back on the Bragi after our afternoon encounter, we didn’t waste any time. We picked up a map at the front desk and headed into Bratislava for photos and local cuisine. Who knew when we might have another chance to see Slovakia’s capital? It was a fantastic blessing that Bragi wasn’t sailing until 11:00 p.m.
Here are the best things to do in Bratislava if you have limited time:
- Bratislava Castle: This historic castle offers stunning views of the city and houses the Slovak National Museum.
- Old Town: Wander through the charming streets, visit the Old Town Hall, check out the quirky statues, and see the iconic Michael’s Gate.
- St. Martin’s Cathedral: The largest church in Bratislava, known for its beautiful architecture.
- Blue Church (St. Elizabeth’s Church): A stunning example of Art Nouveau architecture.
Photographers might want to visit the observation deck on UFO Bridge and Slavín War Memorial. Both offer fantastic views of the city. Though be forewarned: the observation deck isn’t free.
Bratislava photo gallery.
Dinner in Bratislava
As the sun descended behind the buildings, we found a great place for dinner. It had our two essentials lots of patrons and Slovak being spoken. It must be good if locals patronize the place.
Our waiter seated us under the awning in the twilight, giving us a fantastic view of the square. Dan and I ordered a couple of local beers and four unique dishes to share. Our server was extremely attentive and gave us excellent service. Who knows, maybe it was because we had fun using those three Slovak words whenever we could!
Whimsical Bratislava sculptures
On our way back to the ship we went in search of the quirky bronze statues that Bratislava is known for. These life-size sculptures can be found here and there around the city center. Obviously, someone has a great sense of humor.
We couldn’t resist goofing around with them ourselves.
End of our day in Bratislava
We got back to the ship just in time for the evening entertainment, “A Hungarian-Slovakian Evening.” A troupe of musicians performed for those gathered in the Lounge, playing both classical and well-known songs. Even those who don’t fancy string instruments enjoyed it.
Next stop: Vienna.
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One-Day Bratislava Itinerary
Here’s my suggested itinerary to make the most of your time in Bratislava. I’ve tried to include a mix of historical landmarks, cultural sights, and scenic views, so you can get a good taste of Bratislava in a day.
Morning
Start your day with a visit to Bratislava Castle. Enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. Don’t forget to check out the Slovak National Museum located within the castle.
After the castle, take a short walk to St. Martin’s Cathedral. It’s a stunning Gothic church that’s considered a must-see for its beautiful architecture and historical significance.
Late Morning
Head towards the Old Town. Take your time wandering through the charming streets. Explore the Old Town Hall, and make your way to Michael’s Gate, Bratislava’s last remaining medieval gate.
Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Slovak meal at one of the local restaurants in the Old Town. Try dishes like bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) or goulash.
Afternoon
After lunch, visit the Blue Church (St. Elizabeth’s Church), a unique Art Nouveau church that’s known for its bright blue color and intricate design.
Take a walk or a short bus ride to the UFO Bridge. Visit the observation deck for a spectacular view of Bratislava and the surrounding area. (Fee for entry.)
Late Afternoon
Head to the Slavín War Memorial and Cemetery for a reflective experience and stunning city views. The walk will also give you a bit of exercise after a day of sightseeing.
End the afternoon with a leisurely walk along the Danube River. Enjoy the scenic views and perhaps catch the sunset.
Evening
Dinner in Old Town at one of the many cozy restaurants. Try another Slovak dish or international cuisine while soaking in the atmosphere.
Depending on your schedule and energy, you may want to explore Bratislava’s nightlife. The city has a vibrant bar and pub scene with many options to enjoy live music or a relaxed drink.
Enjoy your visit!
Note: As is common in the travel industry, Dan and Linda were provided with a complimentary cruise package for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced coverage, AWSI believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see the Disclosure page.
I’ve never done a cruise (either river or ocean) but I’m intrigued by the idea. I love your photo of going through the lock! What a tight fit.
Yes, it was tight, Fairlie, and people enjoyed watching it go through. I did get a laugh later when I heard passengers complain, “are we going through another lock?” I wonder how the captain might have felt.