13 Awesome Things to Do in Kosice, Slovakia for First-Timers

13 Best Things to do in Kosice

1. Stroll down the Crafts Lane (Hrnčiarska)

The Crafts Lane or Hrnčiarska Street is possibly one of the most interesting attractions in Košice. As I mentioned before, due to the city's location, Košice attracted many merchants, some of whom set up their shops on this street. As you walk along the cobblestoned street, you will find several local craft shops selling anything from pottery to local herbs. The shops can be easily distinguished by a very cool plaque on the floor with a symbol of their crafts.

Where to Stay in Kosice?

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Happy Bull

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Penzión Dobré Časy

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DoubleTree By Hilton Košice

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2. Get the iconic photo with the Júliusa Jakoby Statue

One of the most iconic photos you might have seen of Košice is a statue of an old man in the middle of a street, with a church in the background. That is the statue of Július Jakoby, a talented Hungarian painter and a prominent figure in Hungarian and Slovak art, who called Košice his home. The statue is located on Alžbetina street, connecting to the main square where St. Elisabeth's Cathedral is.

3. Climb Up the North Tower

If you know me, you know that I like climbing up towers in Europe, and this is no exception. St. Elisabeth's Cathedral has an old north tower where anyone can climb. You can buy a ticket inside the cathedral, and the gatekeeper outside will let you in.

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The stairway is old, small, and there is only one way to go up and down, so please be careful. The view from up there, though, is quite something. The North Tower is right in the center of the square, so you will be able to get a 360˚ view of Košice and see how far the city spans.

4. Admire the St. Elisabeth's Cathedral

St. Elisabeth's Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral built in the 13th century when Slovakia was still part of the Hungarian Kingdom, and it is considered to be the largest in the country. Inside, you will find the main altar of Saint Elisabeth, which is a great example of the remarkable medieval art of Slovakia.

5. Witness the Beauty of the Jakab Palace

The Jakab Palace looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. The palace, with its Neo-Gothic style and spiky green roofs, reminded me of the castle I saw in Hong Kong's Disneyland. Although the building is closed to the public, the exterior itself and the surrounding things to do make it worth a visit. Near the Jakab Palace, there is a nice, cheap Italian Pizza Bistro called "ZaZza" where you can grab their delicious pocket-sized pizza rolls for only one Euro.

6. Check out all the beautiful architecture in the Town's Old Square

The town square of Košice is where all the cool architectures are. The State Theatre and the Singing Fountain, the Andrássy Palace, the Urban Tower, and the Old Town Hall are a few of Košice's most beautiful architectural marvels.

The State Theatre and the Singing Fountain, for example, are a small green oasis in the middle of the city, and in front of it is a stunning Plague Column that commemorates gratitude to Mary for an end to the plague epidemic in the 17th century.

The Andrássy Palace also showcases a great example of Neo-Renaissance architecture in its striking red/orange color, which makes the palace stand out from the rest.

7. Wonder at the origin of the Kosice Gold Treasure

The East Slovak Museum is worth visiting for its exterior alone, but the inside, more specifically the Košice Gold Treasure vault located in the basement of the museum, is what got me interested. The discovery of this treasure is considered to be the richest finding of gold coins in Slovakia. They discovered over 2,900 gold coins during construction work in a building in 1935. The coins have been found to originate from all over Europe, from England all the way to Poland. It is estimated that the gold treasure was buried around 1679 by a very rich man who feared that it might have fallen into the wrong hands.

8. A Day trip to Spis Castle

Košice is not too far from Spiš Castle, a Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance stone castle, the biggest of its kind in Central Europe. It would be a shame if you did not drop by there before you leave. You can take a bus from Košice main bus station to Prešov, then get another bus from there to Spišské Podhradie, where Spiš Castle is located above.

It's truly amazing to be able to walk around the fort, from wall to wall, all the while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the High Tatras mountain range from the top of the fortress. You can also learn more about the origin of the castle, how people used to live inside the castle, and all the fancy torture machines they had back in the day in the museum inside.

If you have your own car, you can drive a little further to have a nice traditional lunch at the Spišský salaš restaurant, which is popular among local tourists. They serve delicious Slovakian food such as Vyprážaný syr (fried cheese) and bryndzové pirohy (dumplings filled with Slovak sheep cheese), which goes very well with the local (Czech) Coca-Cola, Kofola. The location of the restaurant is shown below:

9. Eat at Med Malina

If you want to try traditional food in the city center, I would highly recommend Med Malina, a small, cozy, and super traditional restaurant that serves plenty of delicious Slovakian homemade food at a very reasonable price. You can try the dishes I mentioned above here as well or try something new like Svíčková, a beef sirloin in cream sauce served with white bread. I'm drooling now, thinking about all the Slovakian food I had. The location is shown below:

10. Get a quick morning coffee fix at Cup of coffee

Cup of Coffee cafe or Šálka kávy is located not too far from the Old Square, right at the corner of Hviezdoslavova and Hlavná streets. They serve delicious coffee and croissants, which are perfect for a fast breakfast before you explore the city. The cafe is decorated with vintage furniture, cozy lighting, and wooden pianos. With a great book and a cup of coffee, I could see myself spending time here every morning if I lived there.

11. Relax in between exploration with a latte at the cozy HalmiSpace cafe

HalmiSpace cafe is possibly one of the most beautiful cafes in Kosice. It is located on the second floor of an old building, hidden away in a courtyard. To reach it, you must walk up an old stairway adorned with candle lights. Once inside, you will find a cozy cafe that serves delicious specialty coffee in a spacious interior. The coffee tables are beautifully crafted from old books, creating a unique atmosphere. The locals often gather here, enjoying the affordable set lunch. Additionally, the staff is friendly and fluent in English. What more could you ask for from a cafe? The location is shown below:

12. Enjoy the vibe at Kino Usmev Theatre

Kino Usmev is a retro Soviet-style cinema that has been converted into an independent film theatre, with half of the area turned into a bar and the other half into a cinema showing films in a cozy small theatre. If you ever wonder what young people do in Košice, this is the place to experience it. The location is shown below:

13. Have cheap beers and snacks outdoor at Kembridž Pub

If you are looking for an outdoor place to drink cheap beers and snacks with a large group of people, the Kembridž Pub is just for you. The Kembridž Pub is a beer garden that is popular among college students as they are famous for selling cheap beers and snacks in an open area with plenty of seats. It is the perfect place to hang out with friends in the summer. The location is shown below.

When to Go to Kosice?

May - September is a good time to visit Košice and its surroundings. Košice does not attract as many tourists as its Western European counterparts, which makes it a great place to visit during peak season.

How to Get to Kosice?

You can fly into Bratislava or directly to Košice. If you are looking for a cheap flight, you can browse Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest deal for your trip.

If you are already in Europe and are on a budget, you can also take a bus from anywhere with Flixbus or Leo Express for only a few EUR.

How to Get Around Kosice?

Kosice is quite small, so most of the attractions I have listed here are all within walking distance, except Spiš Castle.

For Spiš Castle, you will have to take a bus from Košice main bus station to Prešov and then change buses to the one heading towards Spišské Podhradie. You cannot miss the castle, as it is proudly located on a hill. The entire trip should take you no more than 2 hours one way, so I would recommend you do it as a day trip instead of cramming it all into one day.

Daily Budget

This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

What to Pack for Kosice, Slovakia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kosice, Slovakia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

That is it for the 13 Awesome Things to Do in Kosice, Slovakia for First-Timers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Kosice, Slovakia! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Busbud when traveling in Kosice, Slovakia while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars in Kosice, Slovakia.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip to Kosice, Slovakia. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for activities to do in Kosice, Slovakia.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions in Kosice, Slovakia.

Are you planning to travel to Kosice, Slovakia independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Central Europe

I hope you found this Slovakia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Slovakia and Central Europe, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Bratislava is one of the most off-the-beaten-path capital cities to visit in Europe. It's way less crowded, small, and very charming, yet it has a lot to offer. Here are the 15 best things to do in Bratislava.
• Planning to visit Slovenia soon? Check out: 7 Days Backpacking Slovenia Itinerary.
• Ljubljana is one of the most romantic and charming capital cities in Europe. With its small size, beautiful medieval architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Ljubljana comes highly recommended. If you are wondering what there is to do here, here are the 16 best things to do in Ljubljana.
• Lake Bled is definitely the highlight of visiting Slovenia, and with so many cool things to do, both outdoors and indoors, you are going to need this guide: 10 best things to do in Lake Bled.
• Everybody raves about Budapest, and for good reasons. The city is vibrant, affordable, and offers a ton of things to do, from its rich history to all the awesome nightlife spots that rival those in Berlin. If you are planning to go there, here is a complete travel guide to backpacking Budapest.
• Poland is also a great country to visit while you are exploring Eastern Europe. If you are heading north, be sure to check out our 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland.
• Are you traveling to Slovakia as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Slovakia, visit the Slovakia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Central Europe Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, or The Balkans Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.