Slovakia: Oldfashioned but great!

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

Bratislava is a calm and nice city. The weather is great, with warm summers and cold winters- it gives you a bit of everything!

Living costs can be a bit surprising, but with cheap food and transport it equals it out!

Things are happening all the time: Markets, karaoke nights, stand up in English, street food festivals, beer festivals, and other festivals. There's also a lot of English dancing classes and yoga.

You can find Paintball, Laser Game, and bowling here.

Not everyone speaks English, but most often they do- or they will try to help you to their best effort.

It's also the perfect place to go if you want to travel! Bratislava is about 1 hour and 5 euro from Vienna, which both have plenty of connections for travels all across Europe- with cheap flight companies like Ryanair, or train and buses. For example, did I once get the ticket from Vienna to Bratislava for 1,5 euros! That's amazingly cheap!

And also it can be nice to travel inside Slovakia, with a lot of beautiful castles like Devin and Bojnice and amazing nature like the low and high Tatras with opportunities for hiking, skiing and so much more!

What is the student lifestyle like in Bratislava?

There's always a festival or a party going on!

How much does it cost to live in Bratislava?

It's based on which area you live in and what type of accommodation you have. So it's all up to you. Also based on what you want, a nice kitchen which has everything, or a kitchen with one hotplate and waterboiler...not every Appartement has a washing machine either.

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

If you give it some effort it's not hard. Use facebook, search for "accommodation in Bratislava" "foreigner in Bratislava" and similar words and you'll find something.

But you might have to ask some people before you get something because a lot of them don't do short period rents and want you for at least one year.

It can also be possible with Airbnb, and many offer you a discount when you stay for months, just contact them and ask.

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

The food is not the best I've ever tried, with a lot of fatty and fried things. But, dishes like Gulasj in a bread bowl can be quite tasty! Also, they have a lot of good vegetable soups and meat dishes. And a lot of international foods like kebab, pizza, pasta, burgers...

What places would you recommend visiting in Bratislava?

For tourism, see the blue church, Bratislavský Hrad (Bratislava Castle), Devin Castle (20 km outside the city center), the old square in the city center, Slavin Memorial, a lot of other churches and beautiful architecture.

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

For true Slovak food, go to Slovak pub- it's cheap (they have student discount for both food and beer) and it's the real thing!

Komin is a great place for a beer with lots of options for both beer and drinks- the whole atmosphere is great and downstairs you can see a mini brewery inside. They also have food, which is good!

Visit a food market! They are great and gives you the opportunity to try typical food and international food.

I will also recommend WCAFE which have a great atmosphere, good cakes and sandwiches, and coffee! It's also a beautiful place and the price is good. Here you can bring your computer and work a bit.

Is the nightlife good in Bratislava? Where is good to go?

Bratislava is filled with pubs and clubs, and you are definitely going to find a spot that fits you!

The Club is good, and Luna Bar have old music on Fridays which is really worth experiencing (everything from Macarena and Dirty Dancing to Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys).

What advice would you give future students heading to Bratislava?

First of all: go, go, go!

Secondly: join the group " foreigners in Bratislava" on facebook for updates on everything which is going on!

Third: make the best of it. Try food, experiences, whatever is thrown your way!