There are a slew of excellent and rather underrated European destinations you can fly to for cheap from Dublin Airport.
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and is rather small compared to other close-by European cities like Budapest and Vienna. Home to some unique culture, fascinating history and perhaps most importantly, great food and drink, Bratislava is cheap to get to from Dublin Airport and will make for a wonderful few days away.
Flights to Bratislava from Dublin Airport with Ryanair are some of the cheapest going starting at just €21.99. With it being such a small city (of under 500,000), you don't need a huge amount of time to spend here. A weekend or even a couple of days midweek would be more than enough to see the top rated attractions and enjoy some great dining experiences.
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In terms of things to do, history and culture are the main attractions here. There is Bratislava Castle which overlooks the city and offers great views.
Built in the 9th Century, first traces of settlement on the site actually trace back to the Stone Age and Bronze Age. Exhibitions of the Slovak National Museums are open to public at Bratislava Castle, but the panoramic views from the site are perhaps the biggest draw here.
Other historical sites in Bratislava include Devin Castle, Modry Kostol and Slavin Memorial. All of these are easy to get to via walking or by public transport, or by booking onto a sightseeing tour of the city.
If museums are what you're into, you can actually get yourself a Bratislava Card which will get you access into 14 museums for free and a free walking tour, as well as free public transport. It costs just €15 for two days and €18 for a weekend, so your hunger for value will certainly be satisfied.
What is perhaps the most picturesque and unexpectedly enjoyable experience is a simple stroll through the Old Town of Bratislava, where you will meander through old winding streets, past quaint squares and by gorgeous restaurants and bars where the eating can be rather budget friendly.
Visiting Bratislava during the week is an ultra relaxing experience as the old town is nice and quiet and you're not likely to be waiting for too long for a table in a bar or restaurant, if you're even left waiting at all. Once the sun begins to set and restaurants light up their outdoor seating, you'll enjoy some gorgeous ambient dining.
Italian restaurants are plentiful in Bratislava as are restaurants serving up delicious local cuisine, which consists of meat-heavy dishes such as bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese, sour cream and crispy bacon pieces), pečená klobása (roasted sausage) and svíčková na smetaně (beef sirloin in a creamy, peppery sauce).
After dinner, visit one of the many gelato shops dotted around the city centre and take a stroll through the picturesque old town surroundings to finish off your evening.
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