Destinations Europe Bratislava - Capital City of Slovakia on the Danube River By Linda Garrison Linda Garrison Linda Paull Garrison is a travel writer who has taken over 150 cruises and spent over 1,100 days at sea. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/06/19 Share Pin Email TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris Bratislava Is at Heart of Central Europe and Has Interesting Old Town Bratislava is a port of call on Danube River cruises. Ships dock very near the old town, and passengers usually take a walking tour with a guide, followed by free time for shopping or further exploring. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and its largest city. Slovakia is a member of the European Union and the euro is the official currency, making shopping easier. Bratislava has the beautiful Slovak National Theater and a delightful pedestrian walking area filled with restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating in the summer. The most dominant feature of Bratislava is the 16th century castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the old city. In addition to narrow streets, beautiful buildings, and places to eat and drink, old town Bratislava has numerous comical statues that are sure to make you smile, the most famous of which is the Cumil statue, "Man at Work". When strolling the streets of old town Bratislava, be on the lookout for more of these whimsical pieces of art. Viking River Cruises and other European river cruise tour operators include Bratislava as a stopover on all Danube River cruises in central Europe. 01 of 11 Tram Tour of Old Town Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison Tourists use these trams for tours of Bratislava. Cruise passengers can ride the trams from the ship to old town, although it is close enough to walk. Continue to 2 of 11 below. 02 of 11 St. Michael's Gate and Tower in Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison St. Michael's Gate was the northern town gate of medieval Bratislava. Continue to 3 of 11 below. 03 of 11 Slovak National Theater of Bratislava, Slovakia Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 4 of 11 below. 04 of 11 Primatial Palace in Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison The Primatial palace was built for the archbishop Jozef Bathyany. It was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Pressburg between Napoleon and Austria. Continue to 5 of 11 below. 05 of 11 Memorial Statue in Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison Old town Bratislava has numerous whimsical statues, but this one is much more serious. Continue to 6 of 11 below. 06 of 11 Man at Work Sign in Downtown Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison I knew there was something suspicious about this sign when I noticed it was in English. See the "man at work" in the next photo, Bratislava's famous statue. Continue to 7 of 11 below. 07 of 11 Cumil Statue - Man at Work in Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison This statue of a man in a manhole is comical. He doesn't look like he is working; he looks like he is looking up the dresses of the women strolling the street. Continue to 8 of 11 below. 08 of 11 Downtown Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 9 of 11 below. 09 of 11 Bratislava Pedestrian Street in Old Town Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison This photo was taken in the late fall. In the summer, the numerous pedestrian streets are filled with tables and chairs for drinking and dining. Continue to 10 of 11 below. 10 of 11 Bratislava Old Market Hall - Stara Trznica Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison The Bratislava Old Market Hall - Stara Trznica - has vendors selling all sorts of fresh produce, souvenirs, and handicrafts Continue to 11 of 11 below. 11 of 11 Bridge Over the Danube in Bratislava Bratislava (c) Linda Garrison Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit