Luckily, I had an overnight stay at Vienna Airport, so when my flight from Delhi got delayed, I didn’t have to sweat it. I followed the signs to the hotel; while it was within walking distance of the terminal, it was still a significant trek through a covered underground passage.
Check-in at the Moxy Vienna Airport was hassle-free. The room was comfortable for an overnight stay, featuring trendy decor and windows with views of the apron. The front desk was uniquely integrated into a bar, where I had a quick dinner before heading to bed.
My flight to Munich and onward to Helsinki was just past noon. With spare time in the morning, I had two options: head into Vienna to see the city, or make a quick visit to Bratislava to add Slovakia to my travel map (though I had technically passed through Bratislava once before on an overnight train from Budapest to Prague). Of course, I chose the latter. I booked the 6:50 AM FlixBus from Vienna International Airport, leaving my bags at the hotel for a quick pickup later.
Most of the ride was through the Austrian countryside, and we crossed into Slovakia shortly before reaching the city. I alighted at the Einsteinova bus stop and walked across the Most SNP (Slovak National Uprising Bridge). It is impossible to miss the UFO Observation Deck perched atop the bridge pylon, looking like a flying saucer hovering over the Danube. Walking across the lower level of the bridge offered a fantastic view of Bratislava Castle standing guard on the hill.
It was still very early, so I started a self-guided stroll through the quiet streets. I first encountered the Holy Trinity Column, an ornate plague pillar built to give thanks for the end of an epidemic. Nearby stood the Bust of Anton Bernolák, honoring the priest who first codified the Slovak literary language. I then entered the old city through Michael’s Gate, the only city gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications.
In the main square, Hlavné námestie, I saw the Old Town Hall (Stará radnica) and the adjacent Ungerov dom. The square is full of character, featuring Maximilian’s Fountain and quirky bronze figures like the Napoleon’s Army Soldier, who leans casually over a park bench, and the traditional City Guard standing in his booth.
No visit to Bratislava is complete without finding the “Man at Work” statue, known locally as Čumil, who peeps out from a manhole. Along the way, I also spotted the silver statue of Schöne Náci, a real-life historical figure known for his elegance and kindness to passersby.
I then walked past the Neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre and Ganymede’s Fountain, which depicts a scene from Greek mythology. This led me to Hviezdoslavovo námestie, a grand leafy square, home to the Hviezdoslav statue, the Hans Christian Andersen Monument, and the Girl with a Fawn sculpture.
My final stop was the Blue Church (Church of St. Elizabeth). With its powder-blue mosaics and fairytale-like Art Nouveau architecture, it is easily one of the most unique churches I have ever seen.
I was booked on the 10:30 AM FlixBus back from the Bratislava central bus station to Vienna International Airport. I somehow got a little lost on the way. Anxiety started to kick in as I ran out of time, but I eventually oriented myself toward the Bratislava central bus station and made it just in time to catch my bus. The ride back was smooth, allowing me to pick up my bags and check in for my 1:30 PM flight to Munich.
🚍 FlixBus