Discover Košice and find hotels

Košice combines a rich historical heritage with crafts, natural attractions and recurring events. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in the city, you can start by considering whether architecture, museums, green spaces or a particular date should be the focus. The historic centre of Košice is Slovakia’s largest urban conservation area. Beyond that, the sights offer a range of starting points for planning your trip.

Historical heritage, museums and crafts

St. Elisabeth Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Slovakia. Visitors can climb its North Tower via a spiral staircase; access details may change. The cathedral is also associated with the city’s medieval history: a miracle that took place there during a ceremony in 1352 made Košice an internationally significant medieval pilgrimage site.

St. Michael’s Chapel is a 14th-century Gothic church with an underground ossuary. Its interior can be visited as part of a guided tour; check the visiting arrangements in advance. The Kunsthalle, meanwhile, was created in a former swimming pool building and is now a centre for contemporary art. Exhibitions and concerts change. The East Slovak Museum has a historical section and rotating exhibitions of various kinds. MarathonPoint is dedicated to the International Peace Marathon and houses an exhibition of authentic artefacts related to it.

There are several ways to discover local crafts. The Crafts Lane on Hrnčiarska Street is home to several artists and businesses. Visitors can talk to a local potter there about the distinctive features of Habán pottery. The ÚĽUV Košice Regional Crafts Centre offers courses for adults and children, including the basics of woodcarving and ceramic modelling; course availability may vary. The centre also has a gallery featuring themed exhibitions on traditional crafts and a shop selling folk art products. Exhibition and shop opening hours may vary.

Gardens, animals and walks

The UPJŠ Botanical Garden in Košice has more than 4,000 species. Visitor attractions include a dendrological educational trail, greenhouses and cacti, as well as orchid and butterfly exhibitions. Different aspects of plant life are represented: the trail focuses on dendrology, while the greenhouses and exhibitions offer other areas of interest. The exhibition programme may change.

At Košice Zoo, visitors can observe animals in outdoor enclosures, indoor pavilions and terrariums. Animal feedings are also held regularly, and visitors can attend; exact times may change. Another option for a ride is the Košice Children’s Historical Railway. It runs through the Čermeľ Valley along a forest route towards Alpinka Košice. It operates seasonally, and departure times may change—check the timetable if you’re planning a ride.

For a walk, consider Košice City Park, which is suitable in every season. Music festivals are held in a 19th-century pavilion. The city’s green and cultural attractions offer different options: the park is a place for a walk, while the garden and zoo offer specific nature and animal experiences.

Events and food experiences

The Košice Peace Marathon has been held in Košice since 1924. Annual dates and participation information may change; if you’d like to combine your trip with the marathon, check the details in advance. The Street Food Festival at Kino Úsmev is another event with set dates, taking place twice a year. Dates, vendors and programme may vary. The Street Food Corner at Kino Úsmev offers a range of food trucks and typical street food from Košice; vendors and menus may change.

The MAME market for local brands is held regularly at Dominican Square. Dates and participating vendors may change here, too. The Košice National Theater is also part of the city’s cultural profile, with opera, ballet, drama and operetta. These event venues and markets offer different ways to plan around specific dates than historic buildings, crafts or the Botanical Garden. If a festival, market or marathon is central to your stay, plan around its specific date.

For the general travel overview: Košice.