Slovakia's second-largest city boasts a rich cultural heritage. Its main square features Gothic and Renaissance buildings, including St. Elisabeth Cathedral and the Town Hall.
Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city, is home to the Gothic St. Elizabeth's Cathedral, a pedestrian-only main street, and numerous cafes. As you walk through the historic center, you'll see the cathedral's towering spires, street art on building walls, and architecture ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau styles.
Košice's Historic Center: Hlavná ulica
Hlavná ulica (Main Street) forms the largest historical zone in Slovakia. This pedestrian-only area is where you'll find many of the city's bourgeois houses, cafes, and restaurants. At its center is the Gothic complex with St. Elizabeth's Cathedral, Slovakia's largest church and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Construction of this impressive structure began in 1378.
Key Sights Around St. Elizabeth's Cathedral
Next to the cathedral stands St. Urban's Tower, a 14th-century Gothic campanile that serves as a bell tower. To the south, you'll find St. Michael's Chapel, a Gothic-style cemetery chapel also from the 14th century. Between the cathedral and the State Theatre, there's a small park where you can rest. It includes a musical fountain and a carillon that plays every hour.
Košice's Art and Culture Scene
Since being named European Capital of Culture in 2013, Košice has incorporated more public art into its cityscape. You'll see large murals decorating building walls throughout the city. To learn about local history, visit the East Slovak Museum, which houses over 500,000 artifacts from the region. For a more modern experience, check out the Kulturpark in former army barracks, which now contains a museum and cultural center.
Beyond the City Center
While you can walk to most of Košice's main attractions, exploring further reveals more of the city's character. Visit the Rodošto bastion to see medieval weapons and learn about the city's defensive history. Nearby, Mikluš prison gives insight into historical judicial practices with its cells and torture chamber. For a change of scenery, take a stroll through one of Košice's parks or look for the city's unique statues and art installations.
Excursions from Košice
Košice is well-positioned for exploring eastern Slovakia. About 90 minutes by car, you'll reach Spiš Castle, one of Central Europe's largest castle complexes. The High Tatras mountains, roughly 1.5 hours away, have hiking trails and alpine scenery. Closer to Košice, you can visit the Tokaj wine region to taste Slovak wines in a rural setting.
Travel Information
You can fly directly to Košice's international airport from several European cities. Alternatively, take a train or bus from other parts of Slovakia. Summer is a popular time to visit, with warm weather and many outdoor cafes open. If you're interested in running, plan your trip for early October when the Košice Peace Marathon takes place.
