{"id":254,"date":"2026-02-06T15:48:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.e-travel.sk\/?p=254"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:27:25","slug":"things-to-do-in-kosice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.e-travel.sk\/things-to-do-in-kosice\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Kosice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Things to Do in Ko\u0161ice: Complete Travel Guide to Slovakia\u2019s Eastern Gem<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Ko\u0161ice, the second-largest city in Slovakia<\/a>, lies in the picturesque valley of the Horn\u00e1d River. Often overlooked by travelers, the metropolis of Eastern Slovakia is a true hidden gem for a city break. With its beautifully preserved Old Town, rich medieval heritage, and vibrant cultural scene, Ko\u0161ice surprises visitors with far more than they ever expect.<\/p>\n

Whether you are visiting for a short city break or using Ko\u0161ice as a gateway to eastern Slovakia<\/a>, this guide covers the very best things to do in Ko\u0161ice. Locals are called \u2018Vyhod\u0148are\u2019, and people from eastern Slovakia are known for being warm-hearted and generous. We highly recommend you to get know them. The city stands at a crossroads between East and West, as well as between Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics, and the Orthodox. Many Slovaks thinks, that Ko\u0161ice are more beautiful than Bratislava. What makes Ko\u0161ice truly special is its Main Street, which is especially lively in summer, filled with the terraces of restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n

Ko\u0161ice is also a city of sport. The International Peace Marathon<\/a>,<\/strong> the oldest marathon in Europe, is the city\u2019s most important sporting event. It takes place every year on the first Sunday of October and is the second-oldest marathon in the world, after the Boston Marathon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Ice hockey and football are also very popular in Ko\u0161ice. The local ice hockey team, HC Ko\u0161ice<\/a><\/strong>, is one of the most successful clubs in Slovakia. Playing their home matches at the Steel Arena, the team is famous for its outstanding atmosphere. If you are visiting Ko\u0161ice in autumn, winter, or early spring, we highly recommend attending a hockey match.<\/p>\n

The main engine of Ko\u0161ice\u2019s economy has long been the iron and steel works, originally known as VS\u017d <\/a><\/strong>and now part of U.S. Steel. From 2026, Ko\u0161ice will also host a Volvo plant producing electric cars. In addition, one of Slovakia\u2019s largest startups, GymBeam<\/strong><\/a>, is based in Ko\u0161ice, and the city has a strong and growing IT sector<\/p>\n

A short history of Ko\u0161ice<\/h2>\n
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The presence of a Slavonic community settled here in 8th century. The first written notice about Ko\u0161ice is from 1216. The boost for development of the city was arrival of German colonists. The German incomers appeared immediately after the Tartar invasions new inhabitants. The Saxons who settled in Ko\u0161ice achieved religious self-government very early, and in 1290 they were exempted from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon. Already by that time, the original, one-nave church of Saint Elizabeth<\/a> (1260) stood already in the city.<\/p>\n

By the end of 13th century markets were held in the town, which emerged as an important center for the barter of imported goods from Prussia. The city of Ko\u0161ice as an ally of the Hungarian King Charles Rober of Anjou got charter of a Free Royal Town in 1342, as one of the first Slovak towns. By mid 14th century Ko\u0161ice had only one rival in the Hungarian kingdom – the capital city Buda<\/a>. The kings favoured the city and paid the city frequent visits and stays. The imposing appearance of Gothic Ko\u0161ice was equal to its importance.<\/p>\n

Ko\u0161ice did not escape the religious wars during Reformation and Counter-Reformation. The churches, including Saint Elisabeth Cathedral changed hands several times. The religious unrest, the pressure of the Turkish armies, the rebellions of the Hungarian Estates as well as the loss of the leadership of south-north commerce after the shift of world trade centers westwards caused a slump both in commerce and craft production in the city.<\/p>\n

At the turn of 19th century the economy revived. Manufacture producing English porcelain, hats and cloths appeared in the town. The population was constantly rising, especially owing to influx of people from villages. The arrival of the railways, which connected Ko\u0161ice to Miskolcz and Budapest in 1860, and to Bohumin in 1870, provided a new mighty impulse for economic boom of the town. <\/p>\n

Ko\u0161ice has always been a cosmopolitan city. A mixture of the Slovaks, Hungarians, Germans and a significant Jewish minority. At the beginning of 1919, the city became part of the first Czecho-Slovakia. During the Second World War Ko\u0161ice was annexed by the Hungarian regime. At the beginning of 1945 the city became of one of the first liberated cities of Czecho-Slovakia. For a while it also became the political center of renewed Czecho-Slovakia and the Ko\u0161ice government program – “Ko\u0161ick\u00fd vl\u00e1dny program<\/a>” was declared in the city.<\/p>\n

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Ko\u0161ice Main Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The complex of the Cathedral of Saint Elisabeth<\/h3>\n
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A National Cultural Monument, the most eastward located gothic cathedral in Europe. It consists of the cathedral, the chapel Saint Michael and Saint Urban tower. The cathedral was built at the end of the 14th century. The last major reconstruction began in 1877, when cathedral got its present look as the five nave cathedral. In 1906 was built the crypt of Ferencz R\u00e1koczy II<\/a>, the leader of one of the rebellions against Habsburg royal family. His remains were buried in the crypt. The cathedral of Saint Elisabeth is the biggest church located in Slovakia. The area of cathedral is 1 796 m\u00b2 and capacity approximately 5000 people.<\/p>\n

The chapel of Saint Michael, situated south of the cathedral is a part of complex, build towards the end of the fourteenth century as a funerary chapel in a churchyard. The chapel now serves mainly for the weddings and every Sunday is celebrated here the holy mass in English. Saint Urban’s Tower, a detached medieval bell tower from 14th century also belongs to the cathedral complex, all of which was originally surrounded by a churchyard wall until nineteen century.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc5 Opening Hours:
Summer season (May – September)
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 am – 02:45 pm & 03:45 pm – 05:30 pm<\/p>\n

Winter season (October – April)
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 02:45 pm, 03:45 pm – 05:30 pm<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0Entrance fee: \u20ac 6 per person<\/p>\n

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The State Theatre<\/h3>\n

Built in the middle of the square in a park according to the design in historicizing style by A.A. Lang and Steinhardt at the end of 19th century. The auditorium ceiling-painting is by P. Gastgeb. <\/p>\n

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The Jesuitical Monastery and the University Church<\/h3>\n

The church was built in 1671-1784 after the Gesu in Rome by Vignola. The front fa\u00e7ade made of hewn stone combines both monumentality and tranquillity which are emphasized in the centre by the entrance portal and two towers. The monastery was built for use of so-called Royal House after 1654. Ko\u0161ice University resided in the building, and later the Jesuitical painting house was located there as well. There was also a High School founded by the Premonstratensians, the new owners of the complex, in 1811. The academy of law was re-established here in 1894-1904. There are stucco vaults in the rooms situated on the ground and first floors. <\/p>\n

The Franciscan Monastery and Church<\/h3>\n

Originally a Gothic structure from 14th century. Located on the northeast edge of the city next to the walls, it was later incorporated into a row of houses on the spindle-shaped square. The ground-plan reflects the type of construction favoured by the friars. <\/p>\n

The Franciscan left Ko\u0161ice after the fire; the provisional vaulted monastery was given to the army by the Royal Chamber. <\/p>\n

The present-day building dates back to 1764. It was transformed to the classical style for the needs of the Seminary. <\/p>\n

Levo\u010da House<\/h3>\n

Late-Gothic two-storeyed corner house with a passageway was a donation to the town of Levo\u010da by Alexis Thurzo in 1542. Ko\u0161ice’s City Council bought the house in 1569 and it was turned into an inn. In 17th century the Renaissance arcades in the courtyard were added during reconstruction. Late in 18th century the house was remodelled into the Baroque style, and later it was Gothicized in 1908. The rooms are covered with extremely boldly constructed Gothic rib vaults. In the Levo\u010da House is located the oldest Slovak pub, which has been open since the 17th century.<\/p>\n

Csaky Palace<\/h3>\n

Also known as the Dessewffy Palace, this Classicist three-storey palace dates from the beginning of the 19th century and was considered the most comfortable palace in the town. The Russian Tsar Alexander I was also accommodated here during his stay in Ko\u0161ice. Now the Csaky Palace is premises of Slovak Constitutional Court. <\/p>\n

The Eastern-Slovakia Museum<\/h3>\n

A majestic edifice of neo-Renaissance architectural expression, built in 1899-1901. Exhibitions on eastern-Slovakia regional development, numismatic collections, and the Gold Treasure of Ko\u0161ice. Hoard of gold coins and other gold objects are located here. Miklu\u0161 Prison and the Hangman’s Bastion also belong to the museum.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc5 Opening Hours:
Summer season (April – October)
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm<\/p>\n

Winter season (November – March)
Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0Entrance fee: \u20ac 6 per person<\/p>\n

Miklu\u0161 Prison <\/h3>\n

Originating in 17th century, it is composed of two burgher’s houses from 15th century. The original house situated on the left hand two storeys and was illuminated through large Gothic windows. Only fragments of this house remain. The house situated on the right was one-storeyed, and raised by one floor in the second half of 15th century. The prison was referred to in 1618. <\/p>\n

Structurally, the building was adapted to the needs of a prison. After the reconstruction in 1940-1942, the exposition of the town’s history was located here. <\/p>\n

Jakab Palace<\/h3>\n

Located next to a former mill-race, the palace was built by Jakab, the architect of many Art Nouveau and Romantic buildings. He used rejected stone elements from renovated Saint Elizabeth’s for the construction of this palace at the end of 19th century. In 1945, Jakab Palace hosted Edvard Bene\u0161, President of Czechoslovakia, during a key moment in the country\u2019s post-war history. Unfortunately, the palace is currently closed due to an ongoing legal dispute.<\/p>\n

The Coat of Arms of Ko\u0161ice <\/h3>\n

The coat of arms of Ko\u0161ice are incontestably the most remarkable in Slovakia. Their uniqueness lies especially in that Ko\u0161ice acquired the letters pattent for the coat of arms in 1369, which is the oldest one in all all of Europe. Moreover, the city was the only Hungarian city that received four letters patents within 133 years. At present the City Council favours the earliest design of the arms, from 1502. <\/p>\n

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Singing fountain of Ko\u0161ice<\/h3>\n

Immerse yourself in Slovak and international evergreens right in the heart of Main Street in Ko\u0161ice. Located next to the State Theatre, one of the city\u2019s most popular attractions is the Singing Fountain, whose repertoire includes more than 100 songs.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc5 Season: April \u2013 October
\ud83d\udd50 Shows: from 10:00 am till 10:00 pm
\ud83d\udcb0 Free to watch
\ud83d\udca1 Tip: Grab ice cream from nearby and enjoy the show from the theatre steps<\/p>\n

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The most famous native of Ko\u0161ice – S\u00e1ndor M\u00e1rai<\/h2>\n

One of the most famous natives of Ko\u0161ice is undoubtedly S\u00e1ndor M\u00e1rai<\/a>. About his significance to the city testify one saying: “What it is for Prague Kafka, it is for Ko\u0161ice S\u00e1ndor M\u00e1rai”. No surprise, Sandor M\u00e1rai is one of the most translated authors. His novels were translated into more than 40 languages. Sandor M\u00e1rai has also his statue and museum in Ko\u0161ice.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Entrance fee: \u20ac6
\ud83d\udcc5 Opening hours: Tue\u2013Sun 9:00 am – 05:00 pm (last entry at 04:00 pm)<\/p>\n

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Where to stay in Ko\u0161ice <\/h2>\n

Here are our suggested hotels in Ko\u0161ice:<\/p>\n

DoubleTree by Hilton, 4* Ko\u0161ice<\/a><\/strong> -> the best and biggest four star hotel of the city. <\/p>\n

Hotel Yasmin, 4* Ko\u0161ice <\/strong><\/a>-> the best hotel as regards quality=price <\/p>\n

Hotel Gloria Palace, 3* Ko\u0161ice <\/strong><\/a>-> a good three star hotel, located close to Aupark shopping mall and train station. <\/p>\n

Hotel Teledom, 3* Ko\u0161ice<\/strong><\/a> -> a good 3* hotel. <\/p>\n

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Where to eat in Ko\u0161ice<\/h2>\n

To eat we recommend you these restaurants in Ko\u0161ice:<\/p>\n

Karzma Mlyn<\/strong><\/a> -> offers traditional eastern Slovak cuisine. We recommend trying the local specialty, tatar\u010de pirohy<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cafe Sl\u00e1via <\/a><\/strong>-> A legendary caf\u00e9 in Ko\u0161ice, part of the Boutique Hotel Slavia. It is the city\u2019s most luxurious restaurant, offering refined traditional Slovak cuisine.<\/p>\n

Arthur Gelato<\/strong><\/a> -> Slovakia is a country of ice cream lovers. The best ice cream in town can be found on Hlavn\u00e1 Street at Arthur Gelato.<\/p>\n

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How to get to Ko\u0161ice<\/h2>\n

\u2708\ufe0f By plane: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ko\u0161ice has its own international airport with several direct regular flights within Europe.<\/p>\n