It is best to start visiting Bratislava from its historic center, which impresses with its compactness and wealth of monuments. The Old Town is a real gem, where almost every building tells a fascinating story. The centerpiece is the Main Square (Hlavné námestie), where one of the city's most important monuments, the Old City Hall, is located. This Gothic-Renaissance building, which dates back to 1370, now houses the Bratislava City Museum. It's worth climbing the Town Hall tower for a panoramic view of the entire Old Town. The museum presents the history of the city since the Middle Ages, and of particular interest is the exhibition of instruments of torture, which takes a look at the dark aspects of the old justice system. Admission is free for Bratislava CARD holders, which is an added incentive to visit this place.

On the same square is the Maximilian Fountain, one of the city's oldest monuments, erected in 1572 at the behest of Emperor Maximilian II Habsburg. Adorned with a sculpture of a knight in full armor, the fountain is not only a valuable work of Renaissance art, but also played a key role in the city's water supply system. According to local legend, the knight atop the fountain comes to life every year at midnight on New Year's Day and bows toward the Old City Hall as a sign of respect. While this is, of course, just a story, it adds to the charm of this historic site.

Walking through the Old Town, it is impossible to miss one of Bratislava's most distinctive attractions - the Čumil (Staring) sculpture. This charming figure looking out of a sewer has become one of the city's symbols. Created in 1997 by artist Viktor Hulík, it depicts a sewer worker looking out from under a manhole cover with a smile. According to local tradition, rubbing his head brings good luck, though more practical locals say it's just a way to polish the sculpture for photos. Čumil is one of several unusual sculptures scattered around the Old Town that create Bratislava's unique character. Note the warning sign next to the sculpture - it was added after some inattentive drivers damaged Čumil's head.

Continuing the walk, you will reach Michal's Gate - the only surviving city gate from the 13th century, a remnant of medieval fortifications. This Gothic building, topped by a Baroque dome with a statue of Archangel Michael defeating a dragon, is an impressive monument of defensive architecture. Inside is the Museum of Weapons, displaying a collection of historical weaponry. The observation deck at the top of the tower offers a magnificent view of the Old City. Interestingly, beneath the gate is a point marking zero kilometers - a place from which distances to other cities of the Kingdom of Hungary were once measured. The Michal Gate is also a witness to the old days when the city closed its gates for the night, and late travelers had to pay a special fee to be allowed inside after dark.

The dominant landmark of the Bratislava skyline is undoubtedly Bratislava Castle, majestically towering over the city. This massive quadrangular building with its characteristic four towers at the corners, resembles an upturned table and is visible from almost every point of the city. The history of the castle dates back to the time of the Celts and Romans, but its current form is the result of reconstruction in the 16th century, when Bratislava (then Pressburg) became the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary under Habsburg rule. After a fire in 1811, the castle fell into disrepair, and was not rebuilt until the 1950s.

Today, Bratislava Castle houses the Historical Museum, part of the Slovak National Museum. The exposition presents the history of Slovakia from the Middle Ages to the present, with a special focus on the period when Bratislava was the site of the coronation of Hungarian monarchs. One of the most valuable exhibits is a copy of St. Stephen's crown, the coronation insignia of Hungarian kings. The castle's terraces offer a spectacular view not only of the city, but also of neighboring Austria and Hungary - it's the only place in the world from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of three countries simultaneously. It's worth knowing that the basic entrance fee is about €14, but Bratislava CARD holders can count on a 100% discount.

Descending from the castle hill, it's worth heading towards St. Martin's Cathedral, a Gothic temple that for almost three centuries (1563-1830) was the site of the coronation of Hungarian monarchs. This imposing structure, which dates back to the 15th century, is notable for its 85-meter tower topped by a gilded replica of the Hungarian crown, weighing 300 kilograms. Inside the cathedral are many valuable works of art, including the main altarpiece by Georg Raphael Donner, depicting St. Martin on horseback sharing his cloak with a beggar. Beneath the temple's floor lie the remains of many significant historical figures, including Hungarian palatines of the Pálffy family. Of particular interest is the Chapel of St. John the Almsman, where the coronation insignia was kept before the ceremony. In the basement of the cathedral, remains of an 11th century cemetery and fragments of an earlier Romanesque church have been discovered, attesting to the long history of this place of worship.

Not far from the cathedral is Hviezdoslavovo námestie, one of Bratislava's most beautiful squares, named after Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav. This spacious, tree-lined square is the green heart of the city and a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Surrounded by elegant 19th- and 20th-century buildings, including the Slovak National Theater building and the luxurious Carlton Hotel, the square offers a moment of respite while visiting. The focal point is the monument to Hviezdoslav, and along the avenue you can admire sculptures of other Slovak artists and cultural activists. During the summer season, the square bustles with café and restaurant gardens, and in winter it becomes the site of a Christmas market. Interestingly, the square also houses a statue of Hans Christian Andersen, commemorating the Danish fairy-tale writer's visit to Bratislava in 1846.

One of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in Bratislava is the Primate's Palace, built between 1778 and 1781 as the residence of the Archbishop of Ostrava. This elegant building with a distinctive pink facade hides real treasures in its interiors. The most famous room is the Hall of Mirrors, where the Peace of Prešburg was signed in 1805 between Napoleon Bonaparte and Emperor Francis II after the Battle of Austerlitz. However, the real gem of the palace is a collection of six English tapestries from the 17th century, depicting the tragic love story of Hero and Leander. These tapestries were accidentally discovered during the palace's renovation in 1903, hidden behind a false wall, probably to protect them from Napoleonic troops. Today the Primate's Palace serves as the seat of Bratislava's mayor, but its representative halls are open to the public.

Walking around Bratislava, it is worth noting the unusual sculptures that give the city its unique character. In addition to the aforementioned Čumil, the streets are lined with Schöne Náci, a figure of an elegantly dressed man in a cylinder, commemorating the real-life figure of Ignác Lamár, who in the 1920s and 1930s walked around the city, greeting passersby politely, especially women. Another popular sculpture is Paparazzi - a photographer looking out from around the corner, ready to capture a sensational photo. These modern sculptures, mostly created in the 1990s, have become an integral part of the cityscape and must-see points on the tourist route.

Not far from the Old Town is one of Bratislava's most photogenic buildings - the Blue Church (Modrý kostolík), officially known as St. Elisabeth's Church. This Art Nouveau gem, built between 1909 and 1913 to a design by Ödön Lechner, impresses with its blue facade, mosaics and ceramic decorations. The church was built in honor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and its blue color refers to her attribute - a blue mantle. The interior is kept in the same color scheme, creating an unusual fairy-tale atmosphere. Due to its unique appearance, the church is a popular venue for weddings and photo shoots.

For those looking for unusual perspectives, a must-see is a visit to the observation deck of the UFO restaurant. This futuristic structure, which resembles a flying saucer, is located atop the pylon of the SNP Bridge (Most Slovenského národného povstania) at a height of 95 meters above the Danube. The terrace offers a spectacular view of the entire city, Bratislava Castle and the river. There is a fee to enter the terrace, but the cost of the entrance fee can be deducted from your restaurant bill. The SNP Bridge, opened in 1972, is itself an interesting example of modernist architecture and the only suspension bridge on the Slovak section of the Danube.

Bratislava is a city that is best explored by walking around unhurriedly and discovering its hidden corners. One such place is Kapitulská Street - the oldest street in the city, where time seems to have stopped. The narrow, cobblestone street with historic cathedral canon houses offers a quiet respite from the tourist hustle and bustle. Another little-known but worth discovering place is Slavín, a monumental memorial and military cemetery on a hill above the city, commemorating Soviet soldiers killed during the liberation of Bratislava in 1945. The site also offers a magnificent panorama of the city.

Bratislava, though small compared to other European capitals, offers an extremely rich cultural and historical experience. Its compact size makes it possible to see the most important sights and feel the city's unique atmosphere in a weekend. The combination of medieval history, Habsburg splendor, the socialist past and the modern present creates a fascinating mix that attracts more and more tourists. And all this without the crowds familiar to more popular European destinations, allowing for a more authentic and personal travel experience. Bratislava proves that sometimes the smallest capitals hide the biggest surprises.