Bratislava, Slovak Republic — Transport back in time,  surround yourself with awe-inspiring sceneries and fascinating history! Find yourself being mesmerized by Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

I was in Vienna then when i stopped at a wrong train station. I was supposed to stop at a train station that will lead me to the Schoenbrunn Palace but for some reason, I was lost in translation and direction. To xut the story short, i ended up discovering that Bratislava was just a bus ride away from where i was. Hence, the spur of the moment decision to visit Slovakia’s capital.

Located by the Danube River, Europe’s greenest capital, is a fusion of modern neighborhoods with high-end art and a very charming historic center lined with cafés and restaurants.

Bratislava is home to one of the best old towns in Europe. With it’s close proximity to Vienna, Bratislava is just an hour bus ride away, making it an easy hop and a fun place to spend a weekend.

The very walkable old town of Bratislava has many lovely sites to keep you busy for a day or two.

The main attraction is the centuries old Bratislava Castle. One can reach it by walking along Zámocká Street. The castle offers spectacular views of the city with multilevel terraces. While there, visit a garden that is planted in a romantic baroque style and enjoy art and learn history in a museum inside the castle.

Make sure to also check out Michael’s Gate, the only city gate left from the medieval times. From there, make your way to Bratislava s Old Town Hall, which is the oldest city hall in the country. I remember climbing the tower and visited a museum inside.

The Hviezdoslav Square is another place one must check out. It is said to be a popular venue for many outdoor concerts. You can also choose this as your starting point when you do your walking tour around Bratislava or stop here to enjoy some Slovak coffee and goodies at a cafe.

For history buffs, a visit to the Primatial Palace will pick their interest as this is where the fourth Peace of Pressburg was signed. Also, the old town has some interesting sculptures including the infamous Man at Work statue.

Not too far from the square, one can walk to the Saint Martin’s Cathedral. Best time to come to this area, Kapitulská Street (which us next to the cathedral) during late afternoon or during sundown since it looks extra pretty when the sun sets. And just when darkness starts to fall, the soft light of the cobblestone street lamps create the right Old-Town-atmosphere.

And before hopping off into your next destination, go grab something to eat at the Slovak Pub, a place that offers an extensive menu of local food and drinks. Try a Kofola, which is a Coca-Cola substitute drank during the communist era. Or maybe drop by at a local ice cream shop for a cone of sweets ro power you trhough your day.