Visit The Top Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Košice
Košice is a city on the banks of Hornad River in eastern Slovakia close to the border of Hungary. It is also the capital of Košice region. The city, in 2013, was named European capital of culture and has been a popular tourist destination on Slovakia. The city’s history goes all the way back to 9th century AD. Though there very few places to visit in Košice remaining which tell of that period.
First written references of the city go back to 1230. By the 15th century, it was one of the biggest towns in the Kingdom of Hungary. It was also the first city in Europe to get its own coat of arms, a sculpture of which is proudly included among landmarks of the city. Majority of the historical things to see in Košice are related to the medieval period.
It is a culturally and historically rich city to explore. Košice attractions come from different periods and having a unique story of their own. There are churches, museums, palaces, towers, art galleries, opera houses and more to admire in the city. You will notice a great deal of gothic and art nouveau architecture in the city. One of the major Košice tourist attractions is a collection fo gold treasure. If that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what would.
The city also has a quaint European town vibe, especially in the older parts of the city. The cobbled streets and colorful buildings are one of the most pleasing aspects of Košice sightseeing. Although there are plenty of options for adventurous things to do in Košice as well. The city is surrounded by forest, valleys, lakes and mountains which you can explore.
Table of Contents
Explore The Best 15 Tourist Places in Košice
1. Sculpture Immaculata – Plague Column (Morový stĺp)
This pillar is a piece of art and top among Košice attractions. The pillar was built in the 18th century and is dedicated to Virgin Mary. You would need 15 to 20 minutes for this iconic landmark of the city.
2. St. Michael Chapel (Kaplnka sv. Michala)
This 14th century cemetery chapel is dedicated to St. Michael, the patron saint of the dead. In the 17th century it held a special cultural significance as it was the only place of worship where prayers were conducted in Slavic language. You will need 30 minutes to explore this church.
3. Church of the Holy Trinity (Premonštrátny kostol)
Also known as Jesuit Church and Premonstratensian Church, this monument was commissioned by Princess Sofia Barothy. This church has great history behind it and is among the most popular places to visit in Košice. You will need about an hour to explore this church.
4. The Singing Fountain
This singing fountain is one of the most beautiful things to see in Košice. The fountain puts on a show with jets, color lights and music every hour. Be sure to catch at least one show during Košice travel. You would need 15 to 20 minutes for the singing fountain.
5. Hrnciarska Street / Crafts Lane
This colorful street is among the liveliest places to explore during Košice sightseeing. The narrow street is surrounded by historical buildings as well as popular cafes, bars, shops and more. You will need about an hour and a half to enjoy this street.
6. State Theatre (Štátne divadlo Košice)
Built in 1788, this building is one of the most important cultural places to visit in in Košice. This building has houses several plays, ballets, operas, events and performances. Even its renaissance architecture is renowned in the country. You will need about an hour to explore the State Theatre.
7. St. Elisabeth Cathedral
This 16th century gothic cathedral is the largest in the country and hence among top Košice tourist attractions. The church is well known for its architectural and interior features. The 15th century frescos and the relief featuring people crossing the gates of heaven are the quite famous. You will need at least an hour to explore this church.
8. Coat of Arms
Košice was the very first city in Europe to get its own coat of arms in 1369. This iconic statue depicts the original coat of arms of the city. You will need 10 to 15 minutes to admire this iconic statue.
9. St. Urban Tower
This tower was built in the 14th century in gothic style of architecture. The church bell in this tower sits at ground level, which is unusual for church towers. The tower and the bell is dedicated to the patron saint of vine dressers, Saint Urban. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this tower.
10. Jakab’s Palace
This palace is so beautiful, you feel you are watching a fairytale. The palace was built in 1899 and then later served as home to Edvard Benes, President of Czechoslovak Republic. You will need about an hour and a half to explore it.
11. Main Street (Hlavna Ulica)
This is the main street to explore for many fun things to do in Košice. The street is surrounded by lifestyle and cultural shapes and cafes. There are also several historical buildings and monuments on either side of this street. You would need 30 to 45 minutes to explore it.
12. New Orthodox Synagogue
Built in 1927, this is the largest synagogue in the country. The architecture features neoclassical and post renaissance elements, typical of eastern Slovakia. You will need about 30 minutes here.
13. Miklus Prison
These medieval houses were converted into prison during the early 17th century. It is an usual part of Košice tourist attractions as you see exhibits concerning crime, punishment and torture which took place in these walls over the ages. You will need about an hour for this museum.
14. East Slovak Museum
This museum, as the name suggests, tells the story of East Slovak Museum. There are more than 500,000 objects displayed in the concerning history, culture, people and traditions of the region. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.
15. Košice Gold Treasure
This is one of the largest hoard of Gold in the world and definitely the largest in Slovakia. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Košice. The treasure has a long and storied history going back to 17th century. You will need about an hour and a half to explore this collection.
If you have already visited above mentioned places in Košice then we suggest please check out our below list of many more things to do and see in Košice
Things to do in Košice
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Košice
- St. Elisabeth Cathedral
- Spis Castle
- Eastern Slovak Museum
- Slovak Technical Museum
- Vychodoslovenska Galeria
- Sculpture Immaculata Plague Column
- Jakab’s Palace
- St. Michael’s Chapel
- Urban Tower
- The Singing Fountain
- Vojtech Loffler Museum
- Museum of Aviation
- Miklus Prison
- Košice Castle
- Lower Gate
- Košice Gold Treasure
- Kunsthale Art Gallery
- Lookout Tower Ceresenka
- Rosto Memorial House of Francis II
- Hodin Historical Museum
- Regionalne Centrum Remesiel Art Museum
- Obisovsky Hrad Castle
- Klub Vojenskej Historie Svoboda
- Steelpark Vedy
- Old Town Hall
- Synagogue
- Memorial Room of Sandor Marai
- Levoka House
- Kysak Castle
- Executioner’s Bastion
- Greckokatolicky katedrainy chram church
- Kastiel Krasna
- Archeoskanzen Nizna Mysia
- East Slovak Museum
- Jezsuita kolostor
- Kaplnka Rozalie Church
- Myslanske Obecne Museum
- Palace Csaky Dezofi
- Rokokovy Kastiel
- Hadik Barkociho Palace
- Museum Voskovych
- Palais Forgacs
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Košice
- Tufovy Kanon v Slanskych Vrchoch Forest
- Sivec Forest
- Pod Bukovcom Reservoir
- Janosikova Bastion Forest
- Hrad Sokol Forest
- Jazero Lake
- Kysacka Jaskyna Cave
- Canianske Jazera Lake
- Drienkova Skala Valley
- Holica Mountain
- Jaskyne Doliny Maleho Ruzinka Cave
- Loreley Vyhliada Forest
- Municipal Forest
- Kavecianska Stran Forest
- Strkovisko Krasna Forest
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Košice
- Košice Zoo
- Ski Resort of Jahoda
- Košice children’s railway
- UPJS Botanical Gardens
- DinoPark Košice
- Kavecany Ski Resort
- Summer Bobsled Park
- Red Fox Mala Ida Golf Club
- Coca Cola Kart Arena
Shopping in Košice
- Au Park
- Atrium Optima
- Galeria
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Košice
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Camping
Sightseeing in Košice
- Košice Observation Tower
- Park Anicka
- Park Barca
- Palais Andrassy
- Crafts Lane
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Košice
- Republika Vychodu
- Rosto Steak House
- Med Malina
- Pizzeria Zvon
- Le Colonial
- Keltska Krcma
- Camelot Medieval Restaurant
- Villa Regia
- Hostinec Pivovar
- Carpano
- Dobre Bistro
- 12 Apostolov
- Burekas
- Slavia
- GESTO
- Soup Culture
- Dobre Casy
How to Reach Košice?
By Air
You can get direct flights to visit Košice from Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, London and Istanbul. There will soon be more cities added to this list as more flight services cater for Košice travel.
You can use bus or cabs to get around in the city from the airport.
By Road
There are regular trains running between Košice and Bratislava. You can also get trains from Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Kiev. You can also get buses for Košice travel from several cities in Ukraine as well as from Krakow in Poland. There are connecting buses from numerous cities in Europe as well.
If you plan to visit Košice by road, try to catch routes R4, D1, E50, E58 or E71.
By Water
Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes for Košice travel.
Image Reference
- The Plague Pillar – Istvan / Flickr
- St. Michael Chapel (Kaplnka sv. Michala) – Iovan Paul / PixaBay
- Church of the Holy Trinity (Premonštrátny kostol) – petrOlly / Flickr
- The Singing Fountain – young shanahan / Flickr
- Hrnciarska Street / Crafts Lane – Ladislav Luppa / Wikimedia Commons
- State Theatre (Štátne divadlo Košice) – Lynx1211 / Wikimedia Commons
- St. Elisabeth Cathedral – Thomas Hackl / Flickr
- Coat of Arms – Govisity / Tip na Trip / kosice.guide / Flickr
- St. Urban Tower – Govisity / Tip na Trip / kosice.guide / Flickr
- Jakab’s Palace – Ladislav Luppa / Wikimedia Commons
- Main Street (Hlavna Ulica) – Pedro / Flickr
- New Orthodox Synagogue – Govisity / Tip na Trip / kosice.guide / Flickr
- Miklus Prison – young shanahan / Flickr
- East Slovak Museum (Východoslovenské múzeum) – Marian Gladis / Wikimedia Commons
- Košice Gold Treasure – Own work / Wikimedia Commons
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