Martin Barto is the Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia. He has lived in Bratislava all his life.

Where do you live and why?

I live in the Old Town because I was born there and my parents still live there; I have a close relationship with it. It’s also very comfortable for me, because I can get everywhere I need to go on foot.

Are there any places that tourists should visit without fail?

Above all, they should visit the historical areas of the Old Town and breathe in a little culture. I would recommend they also visit a café or a pub and drink one or two beers while they’re still very cheap. I would also recommend the gallery at the Palffy Palace which has a standing exhibit called 100 Years of Realism, mapping the last century of Slovak creative arts

What advice would you give a visiting businessperson?

Don’t get Slovakia mixed up with Slovenia or Serbia. It’s also very important to know the difference between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, which used to be together in Czechoslovakia. Also, don’t talk about former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar, because he’s passé. And try not to have any preconceptions about Slovakia – Bratislava is only 60 kilometers from Vienna. Slovakia is as European as any other EU country.

What restaurants would you recommend to visitors?

When I’m looking for something authentically Slovak and of good quality, I go to the Slovenska Restauracia on Hviezdoslavovo square, while for something more modern I have been impressed with Camouflage. But I don’t mean to be giving these places any advertising.

Where would you go to impress a business client?

The view from the observation deck on the SNP bridge is beautiful, as is the UFO restaurant up there, and the experience is a rather strange one, as you can feel the bridge shaking as cars go across it. If the weather is good I would take them up to the Kamzik hill overlooking the city.

What do you miss most about Bratislava when you’re on business trips? Slovak people. We share a lot of common experiences as a nation, and that means a lot.