Not the most dynamic national capital in the world, but a nice relaxing little city. The last time I was there (in 2000)prices were absurdly inexpensive for food and local handicrafts, and the quality of both was great. The Slovaks are a lot less pretentious than their Czech neighbors. A worthwhile place to visit if you have the opportunity.

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and has about 500,000 people. Bratislava is located on both banks of the Danube river, at the foot of and in the Little Carpathians, directly at the Austrian and Hungarian borders Climate of the city is mild. Its old name was Pressburg, the German name, by which it was known in the English speaking world until 1919. It is only about 30 miles down the Danube from Vienna, an easy one hour train ride. For about 1000 years it was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, and was its capital until the end of the 18th Century. Because it was the seat of power for so many years, it is full of historical places and buildings and is well worth the visit.