official site for visitors to Bratislava  

Handball, the fascinating and thrilling game has got long tradition, history and high level in the sport annals of Slovakia. Slovakia is a country of World Champions (1967, as a part of former Czechoslovakia) and Bratislava is a cradle of female players who represented this country successfully at the international events – World Championships and Olympic Games.

Visitors to Bratislava's Hviezdoslavovo Square may be surprised, given the recent baking heat, to spot a large, ice-skating wolf in front of the Carlton Hotel. The wolf, named Goooly, is the mascot of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, and the clock on his hockey stick is counting down to the beginning of next year's tournament, which will be held in Slovakia. As James Thomson reports, Bratislava is already preparing for what could be the country's biggest ever sporting event.

Since 15 years, the international exhibition Sculpture and Object has been a firm part of the cultural offer of Bratislava in the summer. During its existence, it has made itself good name among experts as well as broad public, which every year has the possibility to see many works of renowned artists from different countries.

Bratislava's Summer of Culture and Castle Festival continues throughout August, with events taking place in and around the old town. Many of them are free to attend, and most are suitable for children as well as grown-ups. Here are just some of the dozens of highlights...

Enjoy your time in Bratislava with our weekly event guide!

Bratislava MUSIC: DEŇ BACHOVEJ hudby na Slovensku / The Day of Bach Music is marked in Slovakia on July 28, the day of the great composer’s death, and will be commemorated in several cities and towns by performances of his Allein Gott in der Hoeh’ sei Ehr’/ To God Alone on High Be Glory chorale, chosen as the common theme for this year.

From June 25 to August 27, each Friday beginning at 20:00, everybody is welcome to join the 7th year of organised in-line skating rides through downtown Bratislava.

Exquisitely beautiful hotel located in the pedestrian zone of Old Town, walking distance from all main historic attractions, only few steps from the Main Square, Old town Hall, Primate Palace or National Theatre. Arcadia Hotel Bratislava offers truly unique ambiance of historic property dated to 1290, suitable for short or long breaks Classic warm style, 24 hrs Open library bar and 5* luxury. Come to relax to the top ranked hotel, feel the space of 40 sq large room, get pampered in Arcadia Spa – included in the package price. Be close to all city happenings and Events. www.arcadia-hotel.sk

Enjoy your time in Bratislava with our weekly event guide!

Local products can make great souvenirs and gifts but in an increasingly globalised world genuine locally made goods can sometimes be tricky to find. Slovakia has a number of strong brands even if, as James Thomson reports, some of them are more ‘famous’ regionally than globally.

Drinking – in a (mostly) responsible way – is one of Slovakia's great traditions. As a result, people in Bratislava, like most other Slovak towns, tend to socialise in pubs, bars and restaurants. Some of the city's pubs are large and boisterous, others small and intimate; some are stark and modern, others wood-pannelled and traditional. The best way to check them out is to stroll around the town and walk inside (or take a seat on the terrace in the summer). Several are housed in the city's ancient cellars – look for a sign advertising beer, and head down the stairs.

Drinking coffee is one of Bratislava's most cherished traditions, largely a legacy of its centuries-long history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a result you will never be short of an opportunity to sit down and relax with a good-quality cup: there is a cafe on almost every street, and many serve leading Italian brands.

Now if you are in Vienna, from upcoming Thursday July 15, you will have a change to get as much information on Bratislava and Slovakia as you want. The city opens up a new information centre in downtown Vienna, Schwedenplatz, as a part of the brand new Vienna City River Port. The metro line U4 will bring you right there...

Temperatures in Bratislava are forecast to top 30 degrees Celsius (90 degree Fahrenheit) during mid July. If you're feeling frazzled, here is a perfect place to take five.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: The Chrámové koncerty / Church Concerts summer series brings several events in the acoustically perfect setting of the capital’s Franciscan Church.

The young photographer Lea Lovišková (1986) is engaged in document, reportage, landscape, portrait, advertising and fashion. She makes arranged photography. The exhibition in the GUBA Gallery shows her works on the subject of dance, to which she has devoted herself for eight years.

Enjoy your time in Bratislava with our weekly event guide!

Bratislava has hundreds of restaurants and, as a result, most tastes are catered for. Naturally, Slovak cuisine is most common, but Chinese and Japanese, Argentinian and Cuban, Russian and American, among others, are all represented. Every budget is catered for. Haute cuisine can be had, as well as fast food: all the main international chains can be found in the city centre. Every budget is catered for. Haute cuisine can be had, as well as fast food: all the main international chains can be found in the city centre.

A 82-page guide to the city. Bratislava is a modern city with rich history, beautiful places, breathtaking view points, cosy cafes and restaurants and a unique atmosphere. Inhabitants of Bratislava are very hospitable and easygoing and they are an inseparable part of the city´s charm. We wish you pleasant exploring of all the things the City of Bratislava has to offer.

From 12th June to 19th September 2010 every Saturday and Sunday there is a water-bus from Bratislava to Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum and Čunovo Dam. The water-bus service is organised by the Danubiana Meulensteen Museum in close cooperation with the Bratislava Regional Council and the City Council of Bratislava.

Enjoy your time in Bratislava with our weekly event guide!

The project Groove Brothers (Nikolaj Nikitin – Rajmund Kákoni – Michal Ragač – Vladimír Máčaj – Ján Oriško – Eddy Portella) was introduced at the closing party of Early Melons Film Festival 2010, and partially continues in the tracks of the previous project Shot In The Dark. Since then, the project was transformed into a new shape, and already the instrument set up predicts a robust sound and impressive experience.

The first Slovak retrospective of Sam Francis (1923-1994), an internationally recognised abstract artist at Bratislava's unique gallery Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, 20th June - 29th August 2010. This is the largest European exhibition of Sam Francis's works since 1995 with 100 works on display.

One of the best places in Bratislava's old town to get your bearings is St Michael's Tower, at the entrance to the old town. From its viewing gallery many of the sights of the old town – and beyond – are laid out beneath you, as James Thomson found out.

Club life has moved into Bratislava and audiences are anticipating good music in quality places. Our city has no need to envy the music metropoly. In new clubs, jazz players are getting more and more places to play.