Europe’s two closest capital cities are both beautiful and just 31 miles apart.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia are a stone’s throw from one another.

Highlights in the Austrian capital include Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Hapsburg rulers; the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral; and the Hofburg, which was the Hamsburg’s principal imperial palace and is now home to the Spanish Riding School.

Other attractions are the imposing St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Sigmund Freud Museum and the Staatsoper opera and ballet house. Vienna even has its own culinary delights such as delicious chocolate and tasty Wiener Schnitzels to keep foodies happy.

It is also frequently named among Europe’s most liveable cities. One survey carried out by the Economist revealed that Vienna had “an unsurpassed combination of stability, good infrastructure, strong education, and healthcare services, and plenty of culture and entertainment”.

The city is also said to be one of the cleanest and greenest in the world, with many public parks located along the banks of the River Danube.

Just over an hour away down the river is Bratislava, which is just as good as Prague or Budapest, but benefits from smaller crowds and cheaper prices.

The city displays elements of medieval, Rococo, Baroque and 20th-century modernism, like the majority of post-communist capitals. 

The picturesque Old Town is extremely walkable and it’s home to pastel-coloured buildings, with plenty of cafes and restaurants on cobbled streets. This is where most of the historic buildings are concentrated.

Bratislava Castle is arguably the most important landmark, which stands on an isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians. Due to its size and location, it has been a dominant feature of the landscape for centuries, having first been built in the 9th century.

The Town Hall was erected in the 14th century. Michael’s Gate is the only gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications and it is one of the oldest town buildings. 

A quirky landmark, Bratislava’s UFO Tower, sits on the riverbank overlooking the city. While it’s the best place to visit for views, there’s also a restaurant at the top.

Other capital cities that are close to each other include Rome in Italy and Vatican City, Pyong in North Korea and Seoul in South Korea, and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.