This European Town With Staggering Castles Is Breaking Tourism Records

With summer all but wrapped up, it’s time to shine a light on the second half of 2025. As hard as it is to believe, fall is right around the corner.

Europe exudes timeless charm and fall magic post Labor Day, and you can get away with wearing white since there are no unwritten societal rules governing your closet.

There’s one delightful city full of head-turning quirks, Old Town charm, and a staggering castle overlooking the calm riverfront and vibrant cityscape.

As such, it’s easy to see that one of my favorite European cities is losing its “hidden gem” card, becoming a major draw as an alternative to Europe’s well-documented overtourism concerns this summer.

The winding cobbled maze, inviting pubs, and outright bizarre arts scene here will have you just as magnetized as any other city, and it’s only become easier to reach by air in recent years with a new report many visitors connect from major hubs like London and Milan.

We at Travel Off Path recognize Slovakia may not be a name you had on your bingo card for a fall adventure, yet being an hour away from Vienna and offering ample flight options, don’t sleep on one of Europe’s most magical and friendly cities, who just had their best summer on record.

Bratislava: Time Your Trip Just Right To Beat The Crowds

Teetering on the corner of the Slovakia-Austria border lies Bratislava, a city that’s undeniably growing in popularity but still lacking mainstream fame.

To be honest, I was blown away by how awesome this city was when I went on a whim after I was priced out of Vienna, deciding to hop aboard a cheap FlixBus to check out a neighboring country I knew diddly squat about at the time.

I didn’t know it was anchored by an unmissable spaceship. I definitely wasn’t expecting all the oddball art installations, nor did I even realize the Danube River flowed through, making for a perfect way to start your day with a scenic riverfront walk.

Though it’s been years, Bratislava is stamped in my mind’s eye as one of the destinations that surprised me most in the best of ways, in good company with Luxembourg.

Apparently, I’m not alone. In the month of July alone, Bratislava saw a whopping 358,898 air passengers, which means fellow Flix-ers wouldn’t have been tallied.

Summer is sadly coming to a close, a time when most travelers use their PTO. The record-breaking numbers will surely drop off soon, but the good news is Bratislava is stunning this time of year.

Backdropped by the staggering (and rightfully named) Bratislava Castle, the Danube tree lines blush with crimson and gold in the crisp air, perfect for perusing cafe-laden Old Town or better yet, the first city I tried mulled wine (yes, that’s definitely a recommendation).

Who Says No To Castle-Hopping? Bratislava Oozes Storybook Vibes

If you can turn away from the unexpected UFO Bridge (which you can go inside for the observation deck and dinner), you have to visit Bratislava Castle, perched on a Stone Age hillside, standing the test of time.

This powerful symbol of Slovakia is steeped in history, but we’ll save your eyes from a dry history lesson.

You can visit the on-site Museum of History, featuring permanent and rotating exhibitions that chronicle Slovakia’s timeline, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Given it’s set atop a steep hill, expect a bit of a trek. In fact, I’m just going to tell you to pack durable shoes because the cobbled stones here are another level of, well, cobble?

Once you reach the peak (and it won’t take long), plan to stay a while and savor the views.

I will say even a few years ago, just as Bratislava was edging on “trendy” status, it was hard to snap a photo without strangers’ heads in the way, so expect that even more so now.

However, that’s all the more reason to visit another lesser-known castle nearby —Devin Castle.

Located about 6 miles west of Bratislava, this sight to behold has been fortified since prehistoric times and only costs $9 for admission.

You can enjoy the views of the Danube even more knowing there are few tourists to worry about crashing your perfect photo-op.

That’s just the tip of the nonexistent iceberg, though. Here are a few more nearby castles to visit :

• Červený Kameň Castle (50 minutes away)
• Pajštún Castle (35 minutes away)
• Schloss Hof (30 minutes away; in Austria)

Don’t Sleep On Slovak Cuisine

The $9 admission fee may have caught your eye. Yes, Bratislava is very affordable all around.

I stayed at Hostel Old Town and it was a great bang for my buck, not only price-wise, but I swear it might have been more spacious than my current apartment.

But if there’s one aspect I was genuinely shocked by, it was the food scene. Some Central and Eastern European countries get a bad wrap, but I was pleasantly surprised.

If you’re the Oktoberfest type, then you’ll definitely love what Slovakia has to offer. Think hearty sausages and hefty mugs of ice-cold beer that put Bud Light to shame.

It’s peasant food done right – not the bland stuff.

Plus, one little-known aspect about Bratislava is that it’s actually a wine country, set in the Little Carpathians Wine Region with its own official wine route for fun day trips outside the city limits.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.