Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum — Attraction in Hamuliakovo

One of the most beautiful art spaces I have been to. The building is situated on a Danube tributary. I awed at the natural light in the galleries, with art and windows perfectly oriented to maximize the art viewing experience. Some scultures are located on the ouside of the windows, right on the river bank - pretty cool.

I try to visit this gallery every two years or so due to its rotating collections of contemporary art. A large number of the artists featured is from Slovakia, but they exhibit many other artists. No matter who the artists are, I found the art collection very impressive in quality.

To plan a trip, I suggest spending about two hours. Start with the art galleries - it takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on your level of interest. If it is summer, I suggest to go outside and wander through the garden with sculptures (will take you about 15-20 minutes) then go to the cafe; in winter I would stop at the cafe first and then go outside once you are dressed up again.

I would say stopping at the cafe is a must. It is an incredibly well designed space. There is an outdoor cafe space in summer. I highly recommend trying several of the pastries. They are seriously out of this world! I want to also commend the cafe operators on their thoughtful presentation of whatever is being served. This is what a museum cafe should be like.

Last, make a quick stop at the museum store. They have adorable gifts to bring from your trip!

Helpful tip: if you are coming in colder weather, the museum has hangers where you can hang your coats and jackets by the check in counter. It works on an honor system and I never had an issue.

Another tip: If the weather is nice, there is a great bike path along the river that is worth the stroll. The area has a great riparian habitat. Bird watchers in particular...

I think this place is a bit over-hyped to be honest. Yes it's a nice museum with interesting pieces, but it's a lot smaller than I expected. I walked around and viewed everything within an hour, and I wasn't rushing - I read descriptions, stopped and admired some pieces for a while, took some photos... So it's 40 mins on the bus to get there, an hour to look around, then 40 mins back. I was a bit disappointed.

Go: if you love modern art, want to see art by artists from this region, are interested in the hydro-electric dam next to the museum, want to have a very leisurely visit (go to Cafe, sit in the grounds etc.)

Don't go: if you have only a passing interest in modern art, if you think this will compare to somewhere like MOMA in New York, if you aren't thrilled with the idea of a 40 min bus ride

As for getting there: Right in front of Eurovea shopping center (which 90% of you will walk past if walking to the national theatre) is a bus stop with a yellow ticket machine. Buy 2x60 minute tickets (cost 1.50 each). Next to the machine you can see a map with all the surrounding bus stops. Bus 90 is shown there, just walk to the back of the national theatre, there's a small car park with a small road behind it: the 90 bus stop is there. The bus stop is 3 minutes walk from the ticket machine. It goes at 18 minutes past the hour, if you get there early you will see it sitting there, it's a big red bus. I was there at 1pm for the 1:18pm bus and it was already there. Really, it's not hard at all. When you get on, the driver will show you how to validate the ticket in the little machine on the bus. Keep the 2nd ticket for coming back.

My 1:18 bus arrived at 1:50 and I was on the 3:00 bus going back -...

Danubiana is definitely my favourite place in all of Bratislava, which I recommend to every single tourist I talk to.

The contemporary art museum is housed in a breathtaking architectural marvel, which amazes both from the outside and inside. It fills one with such calmness and fulfillment, one wants to never leave. It's located right on the river Danube, which you can admire from every window.

I went there with a dog and they didn't prove to be dog-friendly, but rather a dog ally. They provided us with a bag of various treats and had water accessible for the dog in the garden.

The exhibitions always feature Slovak and foreign artists alike and are always described in both Slovak and English. After you've ventured through the numerous exhibitions in the fun, labyrinth-like walkway, with art pieces and views competing against each other in aesthetic, you can relax at their comforting café to tasty cakes and drinks and jazzy music, both inside or outside by the water.

The garden features beautiful sculptures and a option to climb to the roof (through a staircase, I'm not sure if it's wheelchair accessible like the rest of the museum), which provides yet another soothing view at the Danube and a gentle breeze in the sun.

Before you leave you can check out their shop with fun little design pieces (also featuring Slovak artists) for less 'traditional' souvenirs:)

The only downside I can think of, is the accessibility of the place. If you have a car, it's a simple 20min ride from town, but if you don't, get ready to spend nearly an hour getting there with a bus that goes once every hour.

Totally worth the visit though. Best place in Bratislava, unfortunately not that known. (...Or...