Slovakia Backpacking

Backpacking Bratislava

Bratislava? Isn‘t that where Count Dracula‘s from?

That might be your immediate reaction when you first hear mention of the capital of Slovakia. Take note, however: this is one of the hottest underground backpacking spots in Europe. With a great club scene, cheap prices, and a central location on the Continent, “Brat” is quickly making its way into many backpackers’ hearts.

After the split of Czechoslovakia in the early 1990’s, Bratislava became the capital of the new Slovak Republic. In many ways, Bratislava is similar to its former sister city of Prague. Admittedly, it lacks a lot of the tourist attractions (though there is a large castle). At the same time, however, if you’re looking to escape the massive crunch of Prague’s backpacking scene, the short six hour train ride to Bratislava might just be your answer.

Nightlife is where Brat really shines. It seems as if every other building in the city center turns into a club at night, and people come out ready to party. Slovakians are generally somewhat reserved towards backpackers, but if you give them some time (and a few shots of Becherovka, the local spirit), they’ll quickly warm up. That’s a good thing; these are some of the most attractive people in the world. That’s because just about one out of every 10 Slovakians is either in the National Hockey League or a supermodel.