Surroundings of Bratislava

The surroundings of Bratislava are situated in the southwest of Slovakia. Its southern part stretches along the river Danube, follows the Slovak-Hungarian border, while its western extreme traces the river Morava and simultaneously the Slovak-Austrian border. The Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty) and the lowland Podunajská nížina cover the prevailing part of the territory.

The core of the region is Bratislava. Its position is eccentric with regard to the territory of the Slovakia. It is situated in its extreme southwestern corner. A comparatively long section of the city boundary coincides with the frontier, a rare phenomenon in comparison to other European capitals.

Photo: Pezinok. Credit: www.pezinok.sk

The landscape spreading east of the Little Carpatians is characterised by two things - wine and water. In order to get the true image of this portion of Slovakia, we should aslo add the sun. The chain of litte towns and villages situated east of the mountain range are typical for vine growing. This is the largest winegrowing region in Slovakia. 

Lovers of nature, folk culture and wine normally chose the route of their trips also referred to as the Malokarpatská vínna cesta (The Wine Route of the Small Carpathians). It runs below the sunny slopes of the range skirted by fertile vineyards (on the area more than 4,000 ha/9,884 ac) and wine cellars. All towns and villages have their wine cellars and offer pleasant sitting in the atmosphere typical for this region.

Photo: Slovak National Collection of Wine. Credit: www.nsvsr.sk

The surroundings of Bratislava boast a considerable number of historic buildings. The most valuable among them are the Červený Kameň Castle, Budmerice Castle and Pezinok Castle as well as the ruins of Pajštún Castle and Biely Kameň Castle.

Photo: Budmerice Castle © Tomáš Šereda (www.ttstudio.sk)

Sun and water dominate in the Podunajská nížina. The Slnečné jazerá (Sunny Lakes) on the edge of the town Senec, the administrative centre of the district, represent the greatest attraction of this part of Slovakia. Senec is the favorite tourist centre where both foreign and domestic visitors who prefer to pass the summer bathing concentrate.

Červený Kameň Castle

Pilgrimage Church of the Virgin Mary Birth

Monastery in Marianka

Budmerice Castle

Church of the Holy Cross in Hamuliakovo

Pajštún Castle

Pezinok Castle

Biely Kameň Castle