Vienna, the capital of Austria, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, are just 31 miles apart and both have a lot to offer tourists
Europe’s two nearest capital cities are both stunning and merely 31 miles apart.
Vienna, Austria’s capital, and Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital are practically neighbours. Must-see spots in the Austrian capital feature Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer retreat of the Hapsburg dynasty; the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral – and the Hofburg, which served as the Hapsburg’s main imperial residence and now houses the Spanish Riding School.
Additional draws include the magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Sigmund Freud Museum and the Staatsoper opera and ballet venue. Vienna boasts its own gastronomic treasures such as scrumptious chocolate and mouth-watering Wiener Schnitzels to satisfy food lovers. It’s also regularly listed amongst Europe’s most liveable destinations.
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One study conducted by the Economist found that Vienna possessed “an unsurpassed combination of stability, good infrastructure, strong education, and healthcare services, and plenty of culture and entertainment”.
The metropolis is also considered amongst the world’s cleanest and most environmentally-friendly, featuring numerous public gardens situated along the River Danube’s shores.
Just over an hour’s journey downstream lies Bratislava, which rivals Prague or Budapest whilst offering fewer tourists and lower costs, reports the Express.
The destination showcases aspects of medieval, Rococo, Baroque and 20th-century modernism, typical of most former communist capitals. The Old Town is a picture-perfect spot, with its pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets lined with cafes and restaurants.
This is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s historic architecture. Bratislava Castle, perched on an isolated hill of the Little Carpathians, is arguably the city’s most significant landmark. Its size and location have made it a dominant feature of the landscape since it was first built in the 9th century.
The Town Hall, constructed in the 14th century, is another notable building. Michael’s Gate, the only remaining gate from the medieval fortifications, is one of the city’s oldest structures.
A more unusual landmark is Bratislava’s UFO Tower, which sits on the riverbank offering panoramic views of the city. It also houses a restaurant at the top.
Other capital cities that are close to each other include Rome and Vatican City in Italy, Pyong in North Korea and Seoul in South Korea, and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.