UFO
Iconic bridge | Observation deck | Restaurant
About
The SNP (or Slovak National Uprising) Bridge is a 430 m long and 95 m high steel building opened in 1972. It is the shortest from among Bratislava’s six bridges, but its design is the most unique: It is the only bridge in the city that has no pillars in the river, and hangs on only one pylon on top of which sits a futuristic disk.
This UFO-inspired structure accommodates a fancy restaurant with a panoramic view of the city and Bratislava Castle. If you travel on budget, you can opt for visiting the open air observation deck above the restaurant. The lift will get you at the restaurant level from where you will have to use stairs to get on the deck. The reward will be an amazing view, beautiful photos and unforgettable memories.
Besides serving as one of the key routes for motor vehicles, the bridge’s lower level is also used by pedestrians and cyclists who can easily access the Danube’s two opposing waterfronts. The pylon with the UFO is located on the southern ‘Petrzalka’ bank of the river and is also accessible by car.
Logistics
- UFO watch.taste.groove., Bratislava
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Monday – Sunday
10.00 AM – 11.00 PM -
Observation deck: 11.90 €
Reduced prices available for children, students, and disabled persons. - Tickets to the observation deck available only on site. Restaurant reservations available online, at +421 2 6252 0300 or reception@u-f-o.sk.
- www.u-f-o.sk
Tips
Nearby restaurants
The UFO itself houses a high-end restaurant with a fantastic view. It might be a good idea to check availability and book a table. Several alternatives are within a walking distance, though! If you seek a romantic place with a nice view, check one of the restaurants on Petrzalka’s waterfront, some of them with a view of the Old Town.
Bistro Ferdinand located just steps from the ‘UFO’ in the Janko Kral Park offers very good coffee and a selection of cakes and snacks for an affordable price. Bubbles is a popular floating restaurant moored on the Danube River, offering not only delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, but also an incredible panoramic view of Bratislava’s skyline, especially stunning at sunset. We recommend that you check the availability in advance, as it is regularly used for private events. For latecomers, Au Café and Leberfinger are pricier options which are open every day until midnight.
Last, but not least, the Aupark shopping center located in close vicinity of UFO provides plenty of dining options, including coffee shops, a fine tea room, and both fast-food and more fancier restaurants.
Things to do nearby
Welcome to Petrzalka, the southern district of Bratislava! Established in 1970s on the grounds of an old village bearing the same name (or Engerau in German), this monumental Communist regime housing project for labor force from across the country has become the largest borough in Central Europe. The area near the Danube river offers an interesting mix of futuristic architecture expressed in the UFO bridge, a modern era shopping center, and the oldest public park in Central Europe, established 200 years before the first block of flats was built in Petrzalka.
Although named after a 19th century romantic poet and Slovak national activist Janko Kral whose statue is situated at the central crossroads, the park’s origins are much older. It was established in 1774-1776 as the first park for the general public (not just for the nobility) in Central Europe. Janko Kral Park features precious old trees, resting areas with sculptures representing the zodiac signs, and a unique gothic gazebo, originally a tower of the Franciscan Church in the Old Town.
One of Slovakia’s first major shopping malls that replaced the traditional department stores and boutiques as the primary place for shopping in the early 2000s, Aupark has been benefiting from its advantageous location between Petrzalka and Old Town, as well as its proximity to the popular Janko Kral Park. There are dozens of stores, coffee shops, a multiplex cinema, a game zone, and a large supermarket. Benefit from the shopping center’s garage parking policy, allowing its customers to park 3 hours free of charge on weekdays and 5 hours on weekends. After that period, you pay 3 euros per hour.
The strip between the SNP ‘UFO’ Bridge and the Old Bridge on the Petrzalka side of the Danube river offers an alternative to the Old Town’s promenade, or an additional loop option. Less crowded in the peak season, with a closer access to the river, and, most importantly, with a nice view of the Castle and the Old Town. Those are Petrzalka Waterfront’s greatest benefits. Also, there are some nice restaurants in this area, including on a boat.
