Tips on Bratislava Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

Bratislava Warnings or Dangers

Located on the Danube River in Slovakia, Bratislava will enchant you with its old-world charm and fun cafes and bars. Of course, there are some warnings and dangers you should take into consideration to stay safe.

Dangers when Walking in Bratislava

Much of Bratislava’s Old Town has cobbled streets, and that means you need to proceed with a bit more caution than you might otherwise.

Sidewalks in the area around the Old Town are not always in good condition. Keep your eyes open for dropped or lifted slabs, holes, the remains of street furniture sticking up, and other such trip hazards.

The same applies when you are crossing the roads. Be sure to watch out for tram lines, which are not raised but have a shoe-heel-sized slot in them. You will also want to watch for potholes.

Be Careful Where You Look

Do not look or stare at people you don’t know, specifically during nighttime hours, whether you’re in a club or outside on a street. Many local men actually don’t like it, and this sort of eye contact can get you in trouble quickly. The same goes with bouncers in the night clubs. It is best to not look in their direction because they don’t like eye contact and may consider it a non-verbal assault.

When you are walking through the city center at night, mostly during weekends, you are still pretty safe, as the town is usually crowded, but don’t act too extravagant or noisy.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up

The City Closes for the Holidays

The locals take their holidays seriously. So much so that the country essentially closes for three days during Christmas. This shutdown includes grocery stores and restaurants. It might be best to plan your vacation here for before Christmas or afterward. If that isn’t possible, be sure to have food on hand to eat and maybe some board games to keep you entertained. Of course, you can still walk around the city and enjoy the sights, even if they are closed.

Begging

Like many cities, Bratislava has a problem with homeless and drug-addicted individuals. You will find many of them in front of the churches and restaurants.

Some of these people will ask you for money so they can use the phone. They will tell you their mother is in the hospital or they have some other type of emergency to deal with. They might also tell you they need money for a bus ticket. These stories are not true. Typically, they use the money to buy drugs.

The best advice is to just say no and walk on. You may have to be a little assertive if they keep bothering you, but remain firm and you should be fine.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Bratislava.