Several bike-sharing services are available in Bratislava. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is not only historically and culturally rich but also offers a variety of sports activities. Those who have relocated here from other countries and wish to make Bratislava their new home, temporary or permanent, can participate in these activities.
In this overview, you will find information about sports clubs to join and activities in connection with local communities. It will reveal some of the most popular sports options in Bratislava for foreigners.
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In this overview, you can find the following sections:
Individual sports
Throughout the year, Bratislava's beautiful landscapes become the stage for an array of outdoor sports and activities, offering residents and visitors a dynamic way to connect with nature and stay active across all seasons. But we'll look at some indoor sports, too.
CYCLING
In this story, you can find valuable recommendations for scenic cycling routes in and around Bratislava, including near the Danube and Morava rivers, as well as up and down the Small Carpathians.
Some of the most popular bike trips are those that will take you to the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum or to Hainburg, Austria, through Petržalka and its wild beaches.
Check out the map of cycling paths in Bratislava or try this one.
Bratislava is becoming a bike-friendly city. More people use bikes to reach work on two wheels as more cycling paths are built across the city. Critical Mass Bratislava meets on last Friday of the month on SNP Square at 18:00 to ride for better conditions for cyclists in the city. Follow the group on Facebook.
No bike? No problem! You can learn more about bike-sharing services in the city in our podcast or blog.
On Facebook, you can join the Bratislava Sports and Outdoors Group if you want to get to know other cyclists, hikers and runners. Road Bike Bratislava is a private group for cyclists.
By the way, if your bike gets stolen, you may ask for help from fellow cyclists in this Facebook group with a huge fan base.
RUNNING
A runner runs on the Most Apollo bridge in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
The capital offers a range of running events and marathons for runners. Some of the popular events include the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon, Telekom Night Run, but also the Devín National Run, the oldest athletic event in Slovakia. Here are more events to check out.
If you seek the inspiration to run, how about having a listen to our podcast? Some of the most beautiful runs are those near the Danube and across the bridges, around lakes in Bratislava (e.g. Štrkovec), or up to Kamzík and Devínska Kobyla hills.
Running on the roof of the Nivy shopping mall is quite an experience.
If you need a running buddy, join this group on Facebook: BH3 - Bratislava HHH. If you are a female, get in touch with female runners through the SheRuns website.
There are also running tours on offer.
WATER SPORTS & SWIMMING
There is no need to travel to the seaside if you are a water sports enthusiast. Bratislava offers several opportunities for water sports to enjoy activities like canoeing, waterskiing and rafting.
Paddling down the Karloveské Rameno branch is an unforgettable leisure activity suitable for all. Reach out to the Karloveská Lodenica dock if you would like to try canoeing or kayaking. Nearby, you can find the Vodácke Centrum water sports centre, which also runs kayaking courses. Here, you can also rent kayaks, rafts and canoes.
Another dock, Dunajčík, can be found on the Petržalka side of the Danube. Join the kayaking club here.
Some of the popular rafts in the city include rafts on the Malý Dunaj (Small Danube) river branch with spectacular water mills, the Morava river and a raft on the Danube from Hainburg, Austria, to Bratislava.
At places like the popular Zlaté Piesky lake and the water sports centre Areál Divoká Voda Čunovo, you can try wakeboarding, paddle boarding, surfing, rafting and other adventurous water sports.
Now, if you want to swim, Bratislava offers a number of outdoor and indoor swimming opportunities. If you need someone to teach you how to swim, here's someone who may help you.
If you're up for scuba-diving, get in touch with the Nautilus centre or Academia Aquatica.
TENNIS, BADMINTON & SQUASH
The National Tennis Centre in Bratislava in 2020. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
Foreigners living in Bratislava or its outskirts can enjoy various opportunities for playing tennis. Indoor and outdoor tennis courts are available to rent in the Národné Tenisové Centrum (National Tennis Centre), located in the centre of Bratislava. Moreover, there is also the possibility of playing squash or badminton. In fact, there are many tennis courts, including TK Slovan Bratislava and Retro Sport & Wellness, scattered around the city.
The city has got its own Bratislava Badminton Centre. You can also learn more about badminton opportunities on these Facebook groups: Bratislava Loves Badminton, Badminton Bratislava, and Begminton Forever.
As for squash, you can also head to SportCentrum Pionierska. The centre runs its own squash school. But if you prefer table tennis, visit the Table Tennis Centre Bratislava.
GOLF
Enjoy playing golf? Bratislava and its outskirts offer the ultimate golf experience in Black River Golf Resort (Golf & Country Club Bratislava - Bernolákovo),Green Resort Hrubá Borša, Sedin Golf Resort in Veľké Úľany, Golf Club Pegas in Lozorno, and Golf Club Welten in Báč.
Listen to our Spectacular Slovakia podcast about golf in Slovakia.
ICE SKATING
Ice skating is a cherished winter pastime, but there is no need to wait for winter to enjoy it. Some of Bratislava's arenas are open year-round!
Lamač Ice Arena publishes its schedule for small and large ice rinks here. If you see "verejné korčuľovanie" (ice skating for the public), that's you. Petržalka Ice Arena publishes its schedule (rozpis ľadovej plochy) on its website. A small ice rink can be found in the Avion shopping mall, too.
In Bratislava's borough of Ružinov, you can find Vladimír Dzurilla Stadium, where the ice skating season for the public begins in October. For Ondrej Nepela Ice Arena's schedule, click here.
Moreover, several open-air ice rinks pop up in Bratislava at Christmas. Grab your skates, bundle up, bring your friends or family, and head to the rink to have fun.
EQUESTRIAN
Riding a horse is possible at the Ranč Ouzkých in Bratislava-Devínska Nová Ves, Envirokone in Bratislava-Vrakuňa, ŠK Dunaj in Petržalka, Ranč 4C in Bratislava-Podunajské Biskupice.
ROCK CLIMBING
An exhilarating and physically demanding sport that challenges both strength and mental acuity. In Bratislava, enthusiasts can enjoy various indoor opportunities for this thrilling activity such as Block Dock, Climbing Centre Vertigo, and Lezecká Stena (Climbing Wall) K2.
If you'd like to climb rocks outdoors, the Múrik and Platňa climbing walls in the Old Town are great places to start with. Technické Sklo (Štokeravská Vápenka) and Kamenné Srdce in Devínska Nová Ves are other rocks in Bratislava that you can climb.
Pajštún Castle near Bratislava is also a popular rock climbing area.
YOGA
Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Brighter Life Centre, Kona Yoga, and Yoga House are some of the yoga places in Bratislava that run classes in English.
GYMS
A street workout place under SNP Bridge in Bratislava. (source: Facebook/Bratislava - hlavné mesto SR)
Bratislava is home to many gyms, small and big ones. For example, Fit Inn, Golem Club, and Fit Up have several gym studios around the city. 365 Fit & Co is a popular gym located in the Eurovea shopping mall.
You can try Thai boxing at Siam Gym, Spartans Club Bratislava and at Training Focus Centre. Are you interested in self-defence? Contact the Krav Maga club on Sokolská Street. Drop them a message via Instagram or send them an email: info@zaseba.sk.
CrossFit fans can head to Proton, Falcon 1, or CrossFit Uranova.
In the city, you can also come across a number of street workout spaces. You can find some right under Lanfranconi Bridge, Apollo Bridge (Petržalka bank), SNP Bridge (Petržalka bank), and Šrobárovo Námestie square in Petržalka.
Team sports
If you would love to do sports with other queer people, get in touch with the Lotosove Kvety sports club. You can learn more about the club in English here.
Otherwise, let's look at other team sports that you can try out in Bratislava:
FRISBEE
Playing frisbee or disc golf doesn't have a long-standing tradition in Bratislava, but there are already professional teams playing ultimate frisbee. The frisbee teams in Bratislava are called Mental Discorders Frisbee Club and Outsiterz. The Slovak Frisbee Association also organises Frisbee championships.
As for disc golf, there is a group on Facebook called Discgolf Slovakia and a website in English.
FOOTBALL
There is also an international football club, FK The Dragons, which you can join or just come and enjoy their games. Expats and locals also play football on Monday near the Vivo shopping centre. You can join this group by filling this application form.
In Bratislava, you can try Gaelic football thanks to the Slovak Shamrocks, the city's only such club. Gaelic football is a sport for everyone.
RUGBY & AMERICAN FOOTBALL
There is also an international rugby club in the city. If you love American football, you can come and support the Bratislava Monarchs team - and you can even join the team.
HIKING
For avid hikers, the International Hiking Bratislava group on Facebook is a place where you can join other foreigners in exploring the vicinity of Bratislava. You can find a Slovakia map for hikers here.
A lookout tower atop the Devínska Kobyla hill in Bratislava. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
VOLLEYBALL
If you'd like to play volleyball, try to join these Facebook groups and find your future teammates: Bratislava ❤️ volejbal, VOLLEYBALL BRATISLAVA and Volejbal Bratislava.
If you have teammates but no place to play, contact Športový Areál Patrónka (volleyball and beach volleyball). In the summer, you may want to join Areál Beach Club Draždiak.
Whether you're an experienced athlete or just starting out, Bratislava provides a welcoming environment. It's a city where healthy living and a sense of community blend seamlessly, inviting everyone to embrace a balanced and active lifestyle.
Is there anything missing from our sports guide? Let us know at: community@spectator.sk.
