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Top Kosice Holiday Deals
Top Kosice Holiday Deals
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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Kosice: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Kosice
- In Kosice, Slovakia's beguiling second city in the country's east, amateur historians will be in heaven.
- There are an inordinate number of noteworthy sights to see in the Historic Centre, but the good news is that they're all condensed into a few streets.
- The main focus of your attention will be on Hlavná Ulica (Main Street), which divides into two parallel branches that skirt major landmarks such as the Gothic ensemble of the Cathedral, the Urban Tower, and the St Michael Chapel.
- This is only the beginning of a journey that will take you through a medieval dungeon, a singing fountain, a low-cost opera house, and the East Slovak Museum's record-breaking brilliant gold stash.
- Kosice is a must-see destination. Kosice has a lot to offer in terms of activities, restaurants, and hotels, as well as being a historically and culturally interesting city.
- Tourism is well-balanced, making it a perfect destination in this regard.
- International Airport: Kosice International Airport (KSC)
- Population: 236,563
- Currency: Euro
- Time: UTC/GMT +1 hour
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: Hungarian
- Religion: Catholic
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Kosice
- The St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Kosice is a true masterpiece and one of the city's main attractions.
- The State Theater, which is located in the heart of Hlavna street, not far from the Cathedral, is a magnificent structure.
- Slavia is probably the most upscale of Kosice's cafes, and it's a must-visit. The first cafe opened here in 1900, in the beautiful art nouveau house.
- Hostinec is without a doubt the best place in Kosice to have a beer. The oldest brewery in Kosice is located on the main street, just behind the theater, in the so-called Levoca House from the 15th century.
- The main street of Kosice's old town, Hlavna, is ideal for a stroll.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Kosice
- May, June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit Kosice because of the pleasant weather.
- July and August are the hottest months on average.
- The month of January is the coldest of the year.
- May, June, and July are the wettest months.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Kosice
Hlavná Ulica (Main Street)
- All of Kosice's historic monuments are crammed into a single magnificent street.
- The street splits into two parallel branches in the north, at the Immaculata monument.
- Stately palaces, municipal buildings, and townhouses line the street's perimeter.
- On the inside, the city's major attractions are lined up in a row, with squares, fountains, and small parks interspersed.
- The cathedral, Urban Tower, State Theatre, and St Michael Chapel are all within walking distance, allowing you to hop from one amazing structure to the next.
- Hlavná Ulica is part of Slovakia's largest historic center, and there are more churches, museums, and old-time restaurants on the side streets.
St Elisabeth Cathedral
- On Hlavná, it takes pride of place. Ulica, begun in 1378, is Europe's westernmost Gothic cathedral and Slovakia's largest place of worship.
- The cathedral is unique in that it is the north portal, not the west or south, that is the most ornate.
- Pause beneath the tympanum relief depicting people approaching the gates of heaven, the final judgment, and Christ on the cross.
- Also, on the south facade, there is a sundial from 1477 above the main window.
- The stunning double spiral staircase leading to the King's Oratory is also from the 15th century, as are the frescos.
- There's a lot to see, but save time to visit the crypt of Hungarian national hero Francis II Rákóczi and climb to the top of the 60-meter church tower for a breathtaking view.
Urban’s Tower
- The cathedral's former campanile, which was built in the 15th century, stands next to it.
- Inside, a small waxwork exhibition of famous people from Kosice's past is currently on display.
- The portal, which was carved in the 17th century, and the arcades on the corners, which date from the beginning of the 20th century, are examples of little extras added over time to Urban's Tower.
- These safeguard historic ledger stones from the 1300s and 1400s, which were embedded into the stonework of the tower after being removed from the cathedral.
- The original bell for the tower was cast in 1557 and weighs seven tons.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Kosice Off the Beaten Track
St Michael Chapel
- This lovely chapel, built in the 1300s, is the last of the Gothic monuments clustered around the cathedral.
- It was originally an ossuary dedicated to St Michael, the patron saint of the deceased, and it has ledger stones in its outer walls dating back to the 1370s, just like Urban's Tower.
- It was known as the "Slovak Church" in the 17th century because it was the only place of worship where masses were held in Slovak.
- The chapel has all of the features of a church, including a sacristy, oratory, and choir, despite its small size.
- The oldest known depiction of Kosice's coat of arms, dating from the 14th century, can be found at the sacristy's entrance.
Immaculata (Plague Pillar)
- Kosice's elaborate plague pillar is located in a small fenced enclosure at the upper end of Hlavná Ulica.
- It's a Baroque Marian column with a sculpture of the Virgin, erected in the 1720s to thank the Virgin for putting an end to the plague epidemic that had struck Kosice in 1709-10.
- Statues of St Sebastian, St Ladislaus, and St Joseph surround the pedestal.
- St Margaret, Archangel Gabriel, St Margaret, St Barbara, St Michael, and Elizabeth of Hungary, all added later, greet you on plinths that punctuate the fence.
State Theatre
- The striking Neo-Baroque opera house in Kosice, also on Hlavná Ulica, replaced the original theatre, which was built in 1756.
- It was designed by Adolf Lang, a German-Hungarian who specialized in the bold Historicist style and was responsible for many grand monuments throughout Hungary.
- Tilt your head back in the lavish auditorium to see the painstaking detail of the gilded stuccowork and frescos depicting scenes from Shakespeare's tragedies.
- During the day, you can request a tour at the entrance, but you're better off coming in the evening to see an opera or ballet because tickets are ridiculously cheap.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Kosice Culture and Traditions
- The goal of both Olympic host cities and European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) cities is the same: to lay a foundation and leave a legacy that lasts beyond the events themselves.
- An ECoC focuses on artists and venues, whereas an Olympic host city focuses on athletes and venues.
- The designation of Kosice as the 2013 European Capital of Culture has accelerated the development of a long-term cultural infrastructure to nurture art, and its projects add to the city's already diverse cultural offerings.
- Steelpark, a joint project of U.S. Steel Kosice and three educational and scientific institutions – Technical University in Kosice, University of P. J. afárik, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences – is a building for children.
- In a kid-friendly environment, the exhibition features more than 50 exhibits that tell the story of steel. Kulturpark is gaining popularity.
- The transformation of obsolete heat exchange stations (SPOTs) into neighborhood cultural centers was one of the ECoC's most innovative projects.
- These SPOTs are in high-rise apartment complexes that spread out from the city's historic center into the city's most populous neighborhoods.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Kosice: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Jazz Garden
#Food
- A restaurant, cafe, and club, all with a jazz theme, are all housed in one large venue.
- The walls are covered in trumpets, saxophones, and other jazz-related memorabilia
- On weekends, live DJs spin house, electro, and pop music, and the club hosts a variety of themed nights – just check the event schedule before going!
Golem Brewery
#Food
- Golem Brewery features some of the best locally brewed beer in Kosice.
- The 11.5° Golem is lemon yellow and cloudy, excellent for enjoying on warm, sunny days.
- The Brewery is the perfect place to stop for a beer and a snack while sightseeing in Kosice or to relax after a long day of walking through the Old Town.
Republika Východu
#Food
- While in Kosice, you must try some traditional Slovak dishes, and Republika Východu is a great place to do so!
- Because the menu is written in English, you'll know exactly what you're getting.
- There are also gluten-free options available.
- For dessert, we recommend the delectable pierogi and strawberry and mascarpone pancakes.
Optima
#Fashion
- Continue your search for new outfits at Optima, a shopping center near the city center.
- It has an Ecco shoe store and a well-known Benetton fashion store.
- Fans of brands like Marks and Spencer, New Yorker, and Orsay will enjoy shopping in this mall.
- The shopping center also has a Hypernova grocery store within its walls, which is a unique feature.
- You can buy a wide range of high-quality products from local producers here.
Tesco supermarket
#Fashion
- The Tesco supermarket, which is located on the same street, will appeal to those who prefer not to shop in crowded and noisy shopping malls.
- Fashion stores, designer pavilions, cosmetics and perfumery shops, and a number of appealing stores with household goods can be found on the three floors of this department store.
- You can shop as well as dine in one of the local restaurants.
Hrnciarska Street
#Fashion
- Those who are not willing to spend large sums on gifts will likely enjoy a stroll down Hrnciarska Street.
- Numerous pottery workshops, many of which have been in operation for over a century, give this pedestrian street its name.
- Tourists can buy wonderful handmade crockery, various home decorations, and inexpensive souvenirs from the hereditary craftsmen who work here.
- This street's selection of souvenir and craft shops is comparable to that of the central one.
Children’s railway
#Fun
- The theme park Children's Railway is one of the most unique.
- A colorful children's train runs through the park, and everyone will enjoy riding on it.
- In addition, the park has excellent play areas for children, including slides, swings, and gymnastic attractions.
- A special picnic area is also available, as well as a cozy cafe with a large selection of signature dishes and sweets.
DinoPark Kosice
#Fun
- DinoPark Kosice is also a fun and entertaining place to visit with kids.
- This unique dinopark can keep you entertained for the entire day.
- There are full-size dinosaur figures installed throughout the park, as well as a variety of beautiful trees and plants.
- There are many wonderful playgrounds for children, as well as fascinating games and recreational activities held every day for the little ones.
- There is a small museum on the park's grounds that houses fascinating archaeological artifacts, including prehistoric animal skeleton fragments.
KVL Trixen
#Fun
- KVL Trixen is regarded as one of Kosice's most picturesque parks.
- It will appeal to those who enjoy relaxing in beautiful natural settings.
- The park is located on a lake's edge.
- There is a great beach here in the summer, where you can sunbathe and play active games.
- Because the park is quite large, finding a suitable spot for a picnic is not difficult.
- During the summer, a large number of families with children frequent this park. It's ideal for winter walks and activities.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Kosice: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- The Botanical Garden in Kosice is an oasis of verdant fauna that is home to thousands of plants, animals, flowers, and other creatures. It is located on the grounds of the Pavel afarik University.
- The City Park in Kosice is conveniently located between the city center and the train and bus stations, allowing for a pleasant walk between transportation and daily life.
- Did you know that Kosice Zoo has the largest area of any zoo in Central Europe? That's right, you've got it now. The zoo, which covers 292 hectares and is Europe's third-largest, is home to nearly 1,500 animals.
- The Dino Park, which is part of the zoo complex, is full of prehistoric beast statues, and we're not talking about the classics.
- Summertime is a popular time to visit the Kosice Lookout Tower. Surrounded by lush greenery, the 21-meter-high watchtower provides breathtaking views of the city and its environs.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Kosice Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- The Spring Festival, one of Slovakia's oldest music festivals, is a celebration of all things classical, at least in terms of music. Look no further if you're looking for something a little more affluent.
- That honor may go to Kosice's Art Film Festival. Since 2016, the festival has been held in Kosice every June, and it has been a staple of the national calendar since 1993.
- Every June, the Kosice Gourmet Fest takes place in City Park, giving the region's best food a proper showcase.
- The scorching sun is forgotten as Kosice is engulfed in art, music, theater, and more for the entire month of August. Don't forget the sunscreen, and let go of your inhibitions.
- Although the wine festival features more traditional dancing than the beer festival, the premise is unmistakably the same: high-quality, locally brewed alcohol in a truly celebratory setting.
- The oldest marathon in Europe is held in Kosice, and the city's proud history is commemorated every October with a big ol' run for peace. Thousands of people take to the streets to cheer on those who have chosen to run 26.2 miles.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Kosice Holiday
Places similar to Kosice to visit
Places similar to Kosice to visit
Places similar to Kosice to visit