Car & Van Hire - Bratislava

The capital of Slovakia is known for its charming old town and its incredible buildings. Its strategic position on the banks of the Danube River means that it has been a major trading centre for centuries. Today, Bratislava is a vibrant, modern city that attracts visitors from around the world.

For most visitors, the first stop is Bratislava Castle, set on a rocky outcrop that looks down on the city. This white-walled building with sharp red roofs has seen centuries of history. During the 16th century, it became the seat of the Kings of Hungary, and the Hungarian crown jewels were kept there. The castle today contains the National Museum, where you can learn all about Slovakia's past. You may also just want to admire the views, which stretch over the surrounding countryside and the neighbouring countries of Austria and Hungary.

With car hire in Bratislava, you can easily visit another castle, 10 km from the city. Devin Castle was once a fortress that defended the confluence of the Danube and the River Morava. Today, it stands in ruins. It was destroyed by Napoleon's armies and never rebuilt. The ruins are very picturesque, though, and the surrounding countryside is like an image from a postcard.

One of the most striking buildings in the city is St Elizabeth's Church, popularly known as the blue church. Built in the 1910s, it's a rare example of a church in the Art Nouveau style. The bright blue walls make it completely unique - in fact, it looks like something from a Disney movie. The interior of the church is equally pretty and is definitely worth a detour.

The Slavín War Memorial is one of the most popular sights in the city. This is largely due to its location, on the peak of Bratislava's highest hill. When you walk up to the memorial, you'll enjoy the best possible views of the city below. You can take some great photos up here - but the area also has a sad history. There are six mass graves here, where 6,845 Soviet soldiers are buried. They died liberating Bratislava at the end of the Second World War, and the massive obelisk here was built in tribute.

Car or van hire in Bratislava will also allow you to visit more modern monuments, like the Kamzík TV Tower. You'll be able to see this tower from almost anywhere in the city, but to get closer, you'll need to drive. There's an observation deck 70 m up, with a casual bistro and a more stylish fine-dining restaurant. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Czech Republic from this Communist-era tower.

Bratislava is a driver's dream. The city has been carefully planned, there are several alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic, and there is ample parking. Even the old town has many car parks and garages. What's more, there are electronic boards on all of the city's main roads, displaying information about where you'll find available parking spaces.

When driving in Bratislava, you'll sometimes be sharing the road with trams, as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Take things slowly. Although some streets in the old town can be accessed by car, you'll probably find it easier to park and walk around the narrow streets on foot. Your car will be useful for visiting places on the outskirts of town or for going further afield.

Driving on highways in Slovakia requires the purchase of a vignette. Nowadays, all vignettes are electronic. They are available for different periods of validity, from 10 days to one year. A 10-day vignette will cost €10-12. Don't be tempted to drive on a highway without one, as you'll be hit with a substantial fine. Strictly speaking, you don't need a vignette if you will only be driving within Bratislava. However, if you plan any day trips, you're likely to use a motorway - and in that case, it's a must.

It generally snows in Bratislava between November and March, with the heaviest snowfall in January. Winter tyres are a legal requirement when there is snow on the ground. You will find that the streets in the city are regularly cleared, along with highways and other main roads. Country roads will not be cleared as often and should be avoided, if possible, during the winter months.

When driving in Slovakia, you are legally obliged to keep your headlights on at all times of the day.

Bratislava is close to the borders with Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Many visitors like to pass through as part of an international road trip. These are all Schengen zone countries with open borders and freedom of movement. Austria and Hungary, like Slovakia, use the euro as their currency, while the Czech Republic does not. Please inform your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent if you would like to cross an international border.