Experience in Bratislava, Slovakia by Iveta

What is it like to live in Bratislava? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Being the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is one of the most cultural cities in our country. However, compared to most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, it is still quite small and there are not as many foreign citizens. Young people tend to be more open-minded, while the older ones incline to be not-too-welcoming to citizens.

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As a result to being in the middle of Europe, but quite cheap compared to the western countries, Bratislava is a great place for travelling around Europe (Vienna- 1, 5 hours, Prague 3, 5 hours and so on).

What is the student lifestyle like in Bratislava?

The student life depends on the school you are studying, it definitely cannot be compared to London or Amsterdam. However, Slovak people like to drink, and I mean drink, a lot. So as long as you find your crew to hang out with, don't try to over-drink the Slovaks, as they grew up with a bottle of Vodka in their cradle.

How much does it cost to live in Bratislava?

Compared to western Europe, Bratislava is still quite cheap. However, you have to know where to go. Nonetheless, you can get a 0, 5l beer in the pub for 1 EUR, with a nice meal around 6-8 EUR. Dormitories are quite cheap, apartments as much as 500-800 EUR for a double bedroom, depending on the locality (still comparing to western Europe, but it is more expensive than Prague).

Buying groceries might cost you around 40-60EUR per week, depending on the kind of shopping you do.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Bratislava? Is there any advice you can give?

There are lots of places available, but if you are looking for a nice price, start looking at least a month or two in advance. Usually, after the month of May, there is a huge supply on the market, but with an upcoming school year (August-September) the demand is high and looking for an apartment in September might be impossible. Shared apartments are a common thing for students.

The city is quite small and the public transport works well, so living further from school is also considerable.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is great, but maybe a little too heavy on a salad-raised stomach. My favourite dish is definitely Svieckova, which is a beef meat in a sauce with a dumpling. Bryndzove halusky is a must-try, but prepare for the specific kind of taste, that is made by potato dumplings and sheep cheese.

Foreign restaurants are also quite common, so don't worry, if the Slovak cuisine is not your kind of taste.

What places would you recommend visiting in Bratislava?

When coming to Bratislava for studies, it is a great opportunity to use the strategic place of the city and travel around Europe as much as you can. Bratislava itself can offer you the beautiful castle, the UFO tower above the river Danube, along with a long cyclist trail all the way to Austria. The city centre is small and cosy, full of pubs and cafes.

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Is it good to eat out in Bratislava? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Eating out in Bratislava is easy, some spots in the centre are specialized for the tourist's clientele. In the last time, many breweries opened and they served great local food along with cheap and delicious beer, e. g. Patronsky Pivovar.

What advice would you give future students heading to Bratislava?

Prepare for the trip, if you want the locals to be more friendly, try to catch up some Slovak phrases. Use the opportunity to travel around the whole of Europe. Slovak girls are told to be ones of the most beautiful in the world, and Slovak guys are worth taking a closer look on as well. It might not be the biggest and pro-tourist city ever, but it adds to the middle-sized-town feeling and is certainly good for a one-semester stay to see the magic of the central Europe.