One of the best day trips out of Bratislava, Slovakia is the Do-it-yourself half day Devin Castle Bratislava Tour. In local language, Hrad Devin, or Devin Hrad. I saw an offered tour to this castle and currant wine tasting for 60 Euros per person, but you can easily do this trip for less than 10 Euros. Here’s how:
Getting to Devin Castle from Bratislava
There is bus #29 that runs every 20-30 minutes from the Most SNP bus station in Bratislava (on the Bratislava side of the bridge that leads to the iconic UFO building, this bus station is an easy walk from most accommodation in the city center). You get off the bus 20-30 minutes later in the charming town of Devin at the Devin Castle stop.
From this stop, you walk a block north then take a left and follow the signs to the castle.
Cost for the bus ticket is 0.90 Euros each way, but make sure you buy two one-way tickets, as the bus stop in Devin village does not have a vending point. Total cost = 1.80 euro, or free if you have the Bratislava Card.
Insider tip: the bus bay #6 for the 29 bus at the Most SNP bus stop is actually along the main road instead of in the bus station area.
Devin Castle Entry Fee
The entrance fee to Devin Castle is 5 Euro, but included/free if you have the Bratislava Card.
The Bratislava Card
I highly recommend purchasing this card if you will be in Bratislava for 2-3 days. The incremental day costs are 2 Euros, and 1 Euro for the 2nd and 3rd days, so if you’re going to Devin, this is a great deal.
What to See at Devin Castle
Devin Castle is a ruined castle on the confluence of the Morava and Danube Rivers. There’s a great view from the top of the tallest mountain in Slovakia as well as Austria. Make sure you check out the historical artifacts in the small museum in the bowels of the castle.
One of the coolest things at the castle is the incredibly deep well. There’s a drinking fountain and bucket provided – fill the bucket and dump into the well and wait to hear how long it takes to hear the splash. A great place to perform a physics experiment someday.
Currant Wine Tasting
During high season, there is a booth outside Devin Castle with Currant Wine samples which is native to this area. If you visit off season like I did in mid-week September, it’s still possible to try this wine (see “Lunch Break” below for details).
Take a River Walk
From the souvenir shops, you can take a left and take a leisurely walk along the Danube River and wetlands. Watch the barges and riverboats go by.
Lunch Break
There are a few places to eat along the Danube, but I recommend the U Srncika Penzion – Restaurant. The name of this restaurant means little deer. They have a 2-course lunch special for 4.90 Euro, but have lots of choice on their ala carte menu if you’d like something nicer. Also, you’ll find they offer Currant Wine for 1 Euro for a 0.1 liter glass (get two if you’d like a wine glass full)!
From Devin back to Bratislava
From the restaurant, it’s only a block walk back to the main road through Devin village. If you bought your return ticket (or have the Bratislava card), boarding the bus back is a breeze. In about half an hour, you will be dropped just past the bridge along the Danube back in Bratislava.
Total Cost for Devin Castle Bratislava Day Trip
- Bus = 1.80
- Castle = 5.00
- Wine = 2.00 for 0.2 liters
- Total = 8.80 plus whatever you order for lunch, so way cheaper than the 60 Euro 3-hour tour from Bratislava!
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Devin Castle – Where to Stay
Devin Castle is such an easy day trip from Bratislava, you should just spend the night in Bratislava. My recommended hostel is the Hostel Folks, just outside the city center and one of the cleanest, roomiest hostels I’ve ever stayed. Check Rates and Availability.
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3 comments
Can’t wait to see pictures from Plitvice! My grandparents vacationed there in the 1970ties. The limited number of photos they brought back were stunning (the way I remember it). Plitvice was also the backdrop to some of my favorite Westerns!
Author
Well, now there are like a million people visiting. We’ll see how crowded tomorrow!
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