We are finally here in Bratislava! Slovakia’s vibrant capital! Nestled along the picturesque banks of the Danube River and bordered by Austria and Hungary, Bratislava offers a unique blend of history, culture, and charm waiting to be discovered.
After arriving at Bratislava’s main train station, we first headed to the hotel to drop off our luggage and freshen up before hunting for a place to eat.
Our hotel was near Bratislava’s old town, so we decided to walk there despite the scorching heat. There were many people out and about, as Bratislava was celebrating Pride, and we stayed to admire the colorful parade.
Our first task was to find lunch for the hungry travelers, and the first restaurant we chose in Bratislava was “ENJOY Bistro“, where I ordered shrimp risotto. The food was delicious, although I wished there were more shrimp in the risotto.
With our stomachs full, we continued exploring the old town and wandered along the cobblestone streets, exploring the offerings of small shops.
We also visited the old town square and its landmark, the ancient clock tower.
During our stroll, indulgence continued as I treated myself to vanilla ice cream from the “Luculus” ice cream parlour for dessert, and we continued our journey towards Bratislava Castle.
We wandered around the castle grounds for a while, admiring the beautiful gardens and statues, as well as the magnificent view of the city of Bratislava.
Upon returning to the old town, we went to eat, and the chosen place was the “Gatto Matto” restaurant, of which there are two in Bratislava. There was over an hour-long queue for the larger restaurant and because we hadn’t made a reservation in advance, waiters kindly directed us to their second location a few blocks away. It was a good choice, and I enjoyed a delicious Pepperoni pizza.
For dessert, I once again opted for ice cream, this time lavender ice cream from the “Squisito” ice cream parlour.
This end our first day of the trip, see you in the next one!