Discover Košice

Košice (Kaschau) is the second-largest city in Slovakia and also the centre of eastern Slovakia. Visit one of Slovakia’s most historic cities and discover remnants from different eras. The city’s incredible history dates back to 1230.

City sights

Main Street

Hlavná Ulica (Main Street) is the historic centre of the city and connects Košice’s impressive sights. From this street, admire medieval towers or visit one of the museums. The pedestrian zone stretches 1.2 kilometres (from Maratónu Mieru Square to Osloboditelov Square) and served as Košice’s main square, especially in the Middle Ages. It brings together the different styles of past eras and gives you the opportunity to admire masterpieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, or Art Nouveau. You will also find the Lower Gate there—an underground complex that allows you to enter the city’s 13th-century fortifications.

Along the way, you will come across various city sights. Catch a glimpse of St. Elisabeth Cathedral and explore the Singing Fountain behind the cathedral, which plays tunes such as “Yesterday” by The Beatles with its carillon. If you are passionate about music, the State Theatre may also be very appealing. Enjoy a ballet, theatre, or opera performance. Next to St. Elisabeth Cathedral you will also find St. Michael’s Chapel and the Urban Tower (bell tower). Discover the fascinating history of the Urban Tower.

Also worth seeing are the impressive noble palaces and stately houses. Admire Andrássy Palace and Csáky-Dezsőfi Palace. There you can also discover art galleries, cafés, and restaurants.

Main Street is only a 10-minute walk from the city’s train station, and a visit is worthwhile at any time of day! Below, we present you with more detailed information about some of Košice’s wonderful sights.

St. Elisabeth Cathedral (Dóm svätej Alzbety)

The St. Elisabeth Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Elisabeth, is located in the heart of Košice and shines in its Gothic splendour. It is not only the largest church in Slovakia, but also the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe—an iconic landmark you should not miss. What’s more, the impressive building offers plenty of space for everyone: up to 5,000 people can fit into the city’s religious and cultural centre.

Historical background

The church has its origins as early as the 11th century, when a Romanesque church was built in honour of St. Michael. This church was later transformed into a church with a Gothic appearance. However, construction of the church known today did not begin until around 1380, after a devastating fire created the need for a new church. It was meant to look magnificent and be worthy of the prosperity of the city of Košice. But the idea alone was not enough—the cathedral’s creation stretched over more than a century, roughly until 1490.

Architecture

The Cathedral of St. Elisabeth is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The impressive building is especially distinguished by its unique layout, consisting of a chancel, five naves, two towers, a sacristy with an upper floor, two chapels, and a southern vestibule. Thanks to this design of the different spaces, the central nave and the four side naves together with the transept form a Greek cross.

Urban Tower

The bell tower known as the Urban Tower was named after St. Urban (patron saint of winemakers). In Košice, the Urban Tower is also known by its Slovak name, Urbanova veža, and is an important historical landmark. Visit this impressive bell tower, located right next to St. Elisabeth Cathedral! Travel back in time and discover the history of Košice. Admire the cultural heritage of the Slovak city.

Historical background

The origins of the St. Urban Tower date back to the second half of the 16th century. At that time, the bell tower was built for the Gothic cathedral and changed over the years until the bells were destroyed in a tragic fire in 1556. However, a new bell was cast from the melted remnants in 1557. The five-ton bell was named Urban. Further changes took place from 1775 onwards, but unfortunately another fire broke out in 1966 and destroyed the Urban bell as well as the tower’s roof. The original Urban bell was reconstructed from the remains and has been displayed in front of the tower since 1989. After the last fire, renewals and renovations took place up to 2021, and to this day the bell tower is still awaiting further restorations.

St. Michael’s Chapel

St. Michael’s Chapel was designated a national cultural monument in 1970, together with St. Elisabeth Church and the Urban Tower. In the city it is known as Kostol svätého Michala and is located in the centre as a hidden jewel of the city. Like St. Elisabeth Church, the chapel shines in its Gothic splendour from the 14th century and tells the magnificent stories of Košice. Originally, the chapel was considered a cemetery chapel and was dedicated to Archangel Michael (patron saint of the deceased). St. Michael’s Chapel is located near St. Elisabeth Church and the Urban Tower.

Near Košice

But it’s not only the city itself that has a lot to offer—its surrounding area does as well. Take the opportunity to explore the beautiful nature of the Dobšiná Ice Cave or the magnificent Spiš Castle.

Dobšiná Ice Cave

Dobšiná Ice Cave is only about an hour and a half from Košice and is one of the largest ice caves in the world. A wonder you shouldn’t miss! Marvel at impressive ice formations and descend into the depths of the cave. To explore the cave, you will need a ticket—a guided tour is the best option. Don’t forget to dress warmly and pack sturdy footwear!

Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle is 45 minutes from the city and is known as one of the largest fortress complexes in all of Central Europe. This still well-preserved castle has even served as a filming location for major productions such as Dragonheart. A walk around is definitely worthwhile and takes only about half an hour. The view you get from the castle’s elevated position is just as rewarding!

The perfect time to travel

For a city break, summer is always a very good choice. That’s why we recommend the period between July and August for Košice as well. Enjoy the city and the nature surrounding Košice in summery temperatures. If you prefer travelling in mild temperatures, May, June, or September are ideal.

What do you need to keep in mind when travelling in Slovakia?

In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which plays an important role especially for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll, which applies, among other things, on motorways and expressways. You can find more information about the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also a distance-based toll. If you don’t know the difference, feel free to check out our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of fun exploring this diverse country. You can find more information about tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.