Bratislava Castle: Tickets, Hours & Bratislava CARD Inclusion
1.5 - 2.5 h
Castle & National History Museum
Hilltop fortress since the 9th century; present rectangular palace largely rebuilt under Maria Theresa in the 18th century, restored after a 1950s-60s reconstruction following a 1811 fire
Hrad, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€14.00
€7.00 (Reduced: children/students with ISIC/Euro26) / €8.00 (Senior 65-69) / Free (Senior 70+, under 6, severe-disability holder + 1 companion)
Museum: daily except Tuesday, 10:00-18:00, last admission 17:00. Castle grounds: daily 08:00-22:00.
No advance booking required for individual visitors; tickets sold at the box office in the Honorary Courtyard (behind the Svätopluk statue) or online via snm-online.sk. Standard admission does not cover the separately-ticketed Marie Antoinette special exhibition.
The Slovak National Museum's Museum of History inside Bratislava Castle: the restored castle interior, the Treasury, and the Northern Walls (African Art exhibition). The castle grounds and courtyards themselves are free to enter daily 08:00-22:00; only the indoor museum charges admission.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | €14 | On-site or snm-online.sk | |
| Reduced | €7 | Valid ISIC/Euro26 required | |
| Senior 65-69 | €8 | On-site or online | |
| Senior 70+ / under 6 | Free | No ticket needed | |
| With Bratislava CARD | Included | One-time entry per card |
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Ticket Options
€14.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Bratislava Castle is the massive, white, four-towered palace crowning the hill above the Danube and the Old Town — the single most recognisable silhouette on the city's skyline. Today its restored interior houses the Slovak National Museum's Museum of History, covering Slovakia's development from medieval times to the present, alongside the Treasury and a Northern Walls exhibition. The castle grounds, courtyards, and ramparts are free and open daily well beyond museum hours, making it easy to combine a free walk around the hill with a paid visit inside.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Four-Tower Palace
The castle's rectangular Baroque-era form with a corner tower at each end is Bratislava's defining landmark, visible from across the Danube and much of the Old Town.
The Crown Tower & Treasury
A dedicated Treasury wing displays historic regalia and valuables, with castle-interior views extending from the Crown Tower.
The Free Castle Grounds
The Honorary Courtyard, ramparts, and gardens are open daily 08:00-22:00 at no charge, independent of the paid museum inside.
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Is Bratislava Castle Included on the Bratislava CARD?
Compare Bratislava PassesYes — free, one-time entry to the Museum of History is confirmed on the Bratislava CARD's own discount page, a 100% discount off the €14 standard adult ticket. This doesn't extend to the separately-ticketed Marie Antoinette exhibition. The castle grounds need no ticket or pass either way.
Bratislava CARD
Included. Confirmed 100% discount (free, one-time entry per card) on the Bratislava CARD's own discount page, cross-checked against the museum's own SNM admission-fees page, which lists 'Bratislava CARD holders' as free. Excludes the separately-ticketed Marie Antoinette special exhibition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bratislava Castle included with the Bratislava CARD?
Is it free to just walk around the castle grounds?
Do I need to book in advance?
Does the ticket include the Marie Antoinette exhibition?
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