Do's

• Parking in the city center might be expensive – either you pay for overpriced parking places or you end up paying a fine for unauthorized parking. But there are some convenient and free parking spots just outside the Old town. Do park in these locations and tour around the city.
• Watch your step when you walk as the streets have many cobblestones and you can easily trip and fall.
• Make sure to purchase tickets prior to entering a public transport vehicle. Ticket machines are available at most of the stops, newspapers kiosks or special public transportation shops. Else, you will be fined by the transportation officer during random checking.
• Book a prepaid taxi or rent one through the apps available. Prepaid taxis are much cheaper than regular city taxis. It is always better to book a taxi and wait for a few minutes till it arrives than hailing a taxi as you go because regular taxis will charge you double the price. 
• Rely on public transport for your city tours. They are very cheap and efficient.
• Check the calendar before your trip. Almost all shops are closed during National and religious holidays. You can have serious trouble looking for a place to eat or buy some essentials.
• Have a valid and validated ticket at all times when using public transport. Ticket inspections occur on a regular basis and can range from a brief encounter to a stressful nightmare.
• Call the Police on 112 if you feel threatened or harassed during a ticket inspection. You CANNOT be prosecuted for riding without a ticket (or for refusing to pay the fine) in Slovakia. 
• Give your original passport and official documents ONLY to a uniformed police officer for verification.

Dont's

• Assume that everyone understands what you're saying. English is common, but fluency is not very good.
• Stick to mainstream and overpriced disco clubs in downtown. Go to the local pubs and bars and enjoy a night-out at interesting and authentic places where locals hang out.
• Ladies, DO NOT visit during Easter because you will get spanked, and it is a tradition! On Easter Monday, all of the boys and men in Bratislava go around town with small whips and chase women around, slapping them on the butt. They also hide in corners and douse women with buckets of water. So stay indoors and be safe.
• Drink too much when you are outside. The beer is very strong; unlike the traditional 5% alcohol in American beers, the average ABV is 10% here. That's a recipe for disaster, especially when you get drunk and have to walk on the streets.
• Spend too much money on guided tours. Bratislava has many free walking tours you can join. You can also take a "hop-on train” ride that circulates the city center with tourists every day. The city is safe and all the attractions are close to each other.

Bratislava is an excellent place to relax throughout the day; the city takes on a new face when the sun goes down. It is after dark that Bratislava really comes alive. Find a nice spot where you can sip a dry martini while having great conversations with friends for hours, or choose a more pictorial bar, wherever you will be able to dance wildly into the early hours of dawn. For a club with a distinction, visit the military bunkers below Bratislava Castle. Subclub is yet another night spot, one that has remained in focus of Slovak nightclubs for more than two generations. If you want to take a really joyful experience of some underground scene, then Nu Spirit is the best alternative, which has been renowned for more than 10 years. An ultramodern multicultural hub is emerging on Karpatská Street, which is also worthy and surrounded by more than six cool bars and clubs. The cultural city center Dunaj, which is located in the heart of the city Bratislava is a nice spot popular for live concerts, club nights, visual arts, literature, and theater. Most of the clubs do not charge an entrance fee. Also, Bratislava’s city center is not very big, so many of the best party places are close to each other. It makes an ideal place for pub hopping and perfect for night owls and party animals. Prostitution is illegal in Slovakia and is punishable by law. That is the official stance, but you will find a steady supply of erotic massage parlors, up-market escort services, and strip clubs in Bratislava - which are officially legal. If you are the romantic type, head to the Devin Castle, situated above the Danube and the Morava rivers. This breathtaking castle hosts entertainment like concerts and plays in the evening that go on till midnight. There are also many restaurants and fine-dining options available in the city that offer pocket-friendly menu and amazing views of the city's night lights.

• Visit the largest and one of the oldest churches in Bratislava, St. Martin's Cathedral. It is situated below Bratislava Castle which is also a must visit and a top destination for tourists.
• Take a photo with Cumil, the most famous statue in Bratislava. He’s a bronze representation of a man working on the sewers who has just popped his head up to get some air.
• Explore the SNP bridge over the Danube river, and the flying saucer-shaped structure called UFO, housing a restaurant. Enjoy great views of the old town from the observation deck on its roof.
• See the Slavin monument, the highest place in the city. It offers a breathtaking view of the whole city from the top. It's a very romantic place after dark, where you can sit in the shadows of the monument and look at the lights and traffic below.
• Walk around the Devín Castle and explore the many monuments and statues and the numerous exhibits in the tiny caves.
• Shop at Eurovea, a mall situated just next to the Danube river. There is a promenade close to the river where people come to relax in the green grass.
• See the first fountain ever in Bratislava, Maximilian's Fountain, built in 1527.
• Tour the beautiful Grassalkovich Palace and its French gardens. Here you will see rows of trees planted by famous people.
• Visit the famous Church of St. Elisabet, a classic art nouveau church located on Bezručova street.
• Explore Michael's Gate, the best known and oldest buildings in Bratislava. It was built in the 14th Century as one of the four gates to the city.
• In summer, you can visit the Bratislava Zoo and walk between the animal enclosures. The zoo is a favorite amongst families on sunny days.
• Stroll in the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Comenius University, away from the noise and bustle of the city.
• If you are visiting in the month of December, be sure to explore the scents and flavors of the traditional Christmas Market in front of Old Town Hall and on the Hlavne namestie. 
• Go back in time as you walk in Banska Štiavnica, a charming small town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old town still preserves its medieval appearance.

• For an adrenaline rush, visit the water sports complex Divoká Voda (Wild Water) in Čunovo and try rafting, water scooters or kayaks. There is also a surf wave – the only one of its kind in Europe.
• Experience the skywalk - a 360-degree panoramic walk around the UFO viewing tower, 85 meters above the surface.
• Try jumping into the "void," at the Lafranconi Bridge. You will experience 19 meters of free fall and weightless condition. You will find yourself only four meters above the Danube. This is a one-of-a-kind experience.
• Experience the adventurous rafting on the river Danube, enjoy a wild ride on a speedboat, or an unforgettable party on a boat with drinks and dancing.
• Go for a wine tasting tour, where you can have coffee, some authentic snacks and taste local wines.
• Take a cable car ride to the top of a peak. The view from the top is just amazing.
• Swim in a cave on a rainy day, in the High Tatras mountains, and explore the beautiful interiors and mystic sounds that surround you.
• Go for a food tour in the local restaurants and get an insight into local life in Bratislava, while you try some traditional delicacies.
• Raft in the High Tatras on the river Belá. It is the most beautiful and wildest rafting in Slovakia.
• There are almost 200 km of marked or suggested cycle routes near Bratislava - the Kôprová and Tichá valleys. Rent a bike, or go hiking in the valleys and feel close to nature with some active relaxation.

• Traditional folk embroidered clothing
• Decorated wooden crosses
• Slovak wine
• Honey products
• Slovak alcohol-slivovica
• Valaška, an ornamental shepherd’s ax used for ceremonies
• Bryndza cheese
• A shot glass to wear around your neck
• Corn husk dolls
• Herbal teas
• Tatratea
• Horalky Wafer Bar