Bratislava Weather Guide
What to expect and what to pack for every season
Bratislava experiences a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm to hot (25-30°C), winters are cold with occasional snow (0-5°C), and spring and autumn provide mild, pleasant temperatures (15-22°C). The city receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, with slightly wetter periods in May-June and November. Understanding Bratislava's weather patterns helps you pack appropriately and plan activities around the best conditions.
Located in Central Europe at the foothills of the Little Carpathians, Bratislava sits at approximately 140 meters elevation. The Danube River influences local weather, occasionally bringing fog in autumn and winter. The city experiences about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, with July and August being the sunniest months and December-January the cloudiest.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Rainy Days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -3°C | 35mm | 7 days | 2h/day |
| February | 6°C | -2°C | 30mm | 6 days | 3h/day |
| March | 12°C | 2°C | 35mm | 7 days | 5h/day |
| April | 17°C | 6°C | 40mm | 8 days | 6h/day |
| May | 22°C | 11°C | 55mm | 10 days | 7h/day |
| June | 25°C | 14°C | 65mm | 11 days | 8h/day |
| July | 28°C | 16°C | 60mm | 10 days | 9h/day |
| August | 27°C | 15°C | 55mm | 9 days | 8h/day |
| September | 22°C | 11°C | 45mm | 7 days | 6h/day |
| October | 15°C | 6°C | 35mm | 6 days | 4h/day |
| November | 8°C | 2°C | 45mm | 8 days | 2h/day |
| December | 4°C | -1°C | 40mm | 8 days | 2h/day |
What to Pack by Season
- • Light layers (t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts)
- • Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones!)
- • Light jacket or cardigan for evenings
- • Sunglasses and sunscreen (summer)
- • Umbrella or rain jacket (May-June showers)
- • Hat for sun protection (July-August)
- • Shorts and sandals (summer months)
- • Warm coat (essential for Dec-Feb)
- • Layers (thermal underwear in winter)
- • Waterproof boots (snow and rain)
- • Scarf, gloves, hat (winter months)
- • Umbrella (autumn rain)
- • Sweaters and long pants
- • Indoor/outdoor temperature difference (heating)
Bratislava receives moderate rainfall year-round, with May-June being the wettest months. Rain typically comes in short showers rather than all-day downpours. Always carry a compact umbrella or light rain jacket, especially in spring and autumn.
Rainy day activities: Visit museums (Slovak National Museum, Bratislava City Museum), explore covered shopping centers (Eurovea, Aupark), enjoy traditional Slovak cuisine in cozy restaurants, or take a guided tour of Bratislava Castle's indoor exhibits.
Bratislava experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, especially in spring and autumn. A 20°C afternoon can drop to 8°C in the evening. Always bring layers you can add or remove as needed.
Summer heat waves can push temperatures above 30°C for several days. Stay hydrated, seek shade during midday hours (12:00-15:00), and plan indoor activities or river cruises during the hottest part of the day.