Cruising off the Beaten Path
Are you an art lover? Do you love water sports or other adrenaline-packed activities? Are you looking to travel off the beaten path and discover unusual places? If so, then Čunovo, just a few kilometres away from Bratislava, is the perfect place for you.
At the very end of this borough, still a part of Bratislava, you will find the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum on a peninsula in the middle of the Danube River. Adventurous tourists will love the nearby white-water sports complex Divoká Voda, which contains a hotel, bungalows and a camping site. If you plan on visiting this special place, be sure to set aside at least two days to enjoy all it has to offer. Leaving your car in the city is also advised.
A cruise ship will take you directly from the city centre to Čunovo; access to the museum is included in the ticket. The cruise is peaceful and gives visitors the feeling that they are far away from the bustle of the city. Eye-catching houseboats, mini beaches, fishermen and the flooded trees of the floodplain forest will characterise the more mysterious face of Bratislava.
Dynamic Danubiana
The dramatic location of the gallery combined with its attractive exhibitions are two main reasons why the world’s most prestigious hotels and tourist portals recommend a visit to Danubiana. Prominent, international artists such as Joan Miró, Sam Francis, Lucebert, and Slovak artists Jozef Jankovič, Vladimír Kompánek and Miroslav Cipár have already exhibited their master pieces here.
“I have been going to Danubiana since its opening in 2000,” says art lover Jana Poludníková. “Not only do I always find interesting exhibitions here, but I also enjoy the very sensitive interconnection of its architecture with the Danube.”
She likes the spectacular view from the most remote end of the peninsula with the monumental 11-metre high glass mosaic Danube Wing by Peter Pollág. This mosaic is part of the sculpture park, where you can appreciate the artwork of world-renowned artists like Hans van de Bovenkamp and Billio Nic as well as Slovaks Rudolf Uher and Oto Bachorík.
The walk on the roof of the museum is another exceptional experience. At sunset, the panoramic view of Bratislava, the Small Carpathians and the majestic Danube River is simply unforgettable.
A drink at the local stylish café overlooking the peninsula and river will be the perfect end to your visit.
Rafting, surf wave and kayaking school
The water sports complex, where Slovak Olympic winners train, offers a variety of different attractions on both water and land. It’s an excellent place for families with children and those who want to experience something new. The most popular water attractions are rafting, the kayaking school, water scooters and the cruise on the Danube.
The complex consists of three water channels. The first with calm water serves for training as well as for kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding, an offshoot of surfing that originated almost 100 years ago in Hawaii. The second channel, the Sport Line, is harder and designed for professionals. The third, less demanding Fun Line is also for complete beginners. At the end of the channel, overlooking the old Danube, there is a man-made surf wave – the only one of its kind in Europe.
“It’s a perfect place to practice. Here you can practice all the surfing tricks,” says Lucas Polstier from Vienna after a flawless ride.
If you prefer land, try quads on the off-road track, challenge your partner to a paintball match or play volleyball and football.
After a trip filled with culture and sports, you can return to the city centre by public transport. It is completely free of charge for holders of Bratislava CARD City & Region. They are also entitled to discounts of up to 54 percent on water attractions at Divoká Voda. Thanks to the card, they save a further 20 percent on a ticket for the cruise ship or admission to Danubiana.
