10 reasons to visit Košice
ATMOSPHERE
Košice is a city that doesn’t let you down. Its atmosphere feels more Mediterranean than eastern European. It reflects in the peaceful life tempo, full cafés and parading along - a favourite hobby of locals.
ARTS
If you are a lover of arts and culture, you’re in the right place. In Košice, you can find everything - starting with classical arts, opera and theatre, and ending with contemporary dance, media art or the largest mural gallery in Slovakia. Therefore, it’s not a coincidence that in 2013 Košice was the European Capital of Culture.
A COLOURFUL CITY
Many ethnicities living together have created the atmosphere of Košice throughout the years. You can still see this until today. Have lunch in Slovak, Hugarian or Jewish restaurants and take a cake at Frenchman’s or a Belgian’s. The colourful image of old Košice is gradually returning with the arrival of thousands of foreign students who live here.
LOCATION
You can find 18 UNESCO sights within 100 minutes drive from Košice; medieval castles, natural wonders, gothic frescoes, caves, primeval forests or wooden churches built without a single nail.
TOKAJ WINE REGION AROUND THE CORNER
Do you know where the favourite wines of Louis XIV., Beethoven, Goethe or Bram Stoker were made? In the south of eastern Slovakia and Hungary! Yes, we have the famous Tokaj wine region in mind. Taste the wines directly in Košice or take a short trip to the nearby Tokaj wine cellars.
NIGHTLIFE
Nightlife in Košice is to everybody’s liking. You can casually sip a drink on Hlavná Street and admire the monumental cathedral, or let yourself be carried away by nightlife in Tabačka cultural center or Úsmev cinema. If you prefer clubs, visit Kováčška Street where you can dance ‘till the morning.
PERFECT FOR FAMILIES
Košice has had a huge baby-boom in recent years and it’s apparent in the possibilities of how families can spend their time. You can find entertainment and science centers, events at a medieval castle, rope-park in treetops, a marionette theatre or rafting on river Hornád.
BEER AND GASTRO SCENE
If you are a beer-tourist, you are in the right place. Take a tour of local craft and nomadic breweries. Should you prefer gastronomy, there’s a compulsory ride you must take: Slávia, Le Colonial, Hostinec, Tabačka, Grange, Republika Východu, Primi, Villa Regia and Pán Ryba.
A LITTLE BIG CITY
Each vital place in Košice can be visited within walking distance. The city centre is very compact and is easy to find your way around in. If you decide to go further, use bike- or scooter-sharing.
CITY OF SPORTS
All runners know that the oldest marathon in Europe takes place here. That’s not everything, however: Košice has the second largest urban forests in middle Europe interwoven with perfect bike paths suitable for relaxed and adventurous types alike. Fans of wake-boarding and water-skiing, runners or climbers are in for a treat, too. In 2017, Košice was the European city of sports.