Things to do in Modra

No matter where you are in the city, Bratislava Castle is impossible to miss, dominating the landscape from its hilltop setting. Four white towers mark the corners of this grand, rectangular palace, which stands directly above the Danube River. Admire the view from the banks of the river then venture inside the massive defensive structure to roam its halls and browse exhibitions on Slovakian history.

With its leaning tower topped by a spaceship-shaped observation deck, the New Bridge (Novy Most) is one of Bratislava’s most distinctive landmarks. Ride the high-speed elevator to the top of the tower for fantastic views of the city and to dine in the restaurant.

The Blue Church is a building that truly lives up to its name, an art nouveau wonder that is covered from tower to base in different shades of blue. Explore this unique place of worship and marvel at the palette of blues adorning its walls, pews, mosaics and tiles.

Construction of St. Martin’s Cathedral was completed in the 14th century, making it one of the city’s oldest churches. This Gothic marvel also has an important place in Slovakia’s history. For nearly 300 years, this is where Hungarian kings came to be crowned. Step into the majestic interior to tour the chapels and crypts and to admire the religious artwork.

For almost 1,000 years, Devín Castle watched over Bratislava and surrounding areas from its lofty perch above the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers. It stands on a rocky outcrop, approximately 700 feet (213 meters) above the ground. The well-preserved ruins are surrounded by water on one side and wooded hills on the other, making the locale a lovely spot for a walk.

The Bratislava City Museum is spread across several buildings and chronicles the history of the city. It was established in 1868 and is now Slovakia’s oldest continually running museum. The rich and diverse collections cover such topics as archeological discoveries, weapons, winemaking and the work of famous people associated with Bratislava.