Things to do in  Bratislava

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a riverside gem that combines medieval monuments with Communist history and world-class wineries. The cobbled streets of Bratislava Old Town (Stary Mesto)—home to the Slovak National Theatre and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral—lend themselves well to walking tours, while the recently renovated Bratislava Castle and the futuristic UFO Observation Deck are also must-see sights. History buffs can take a boat trip to the Devin Castle ruins, a Roman fortress that clings to the side of a limestone cliff, whereas outdoors enthusiasts will get their thrills on a hiking or biking day trip to the Tatra or Small Carpathian Mountains. If exploring through your taste buds is on the menu, focus on Bratislava’s culinary culture during a cooking workshop or candy-shop walking tour; or—if you fancy yourself more of a oenophile—sample the products of the Carpathian wine region on tasting tours of Modra’s and Pezinok’s vineyards and wine cellars. For visitors with time to explore Slovakia and beyond, day trips to UNESCO World Heritage Site Banska Stiavnica, the forest-shrouded Red Stone Castle, and the Hungarian capital of Budapest or Austrian capital of Vienna are popular choices, and typically only involve a few hours on a train.