Popular Cities Košice

Sights of the city

Main Street

Hlavná Ulica (Main Street) is the historic centre of the city and connects the impressive sights of Košice. Admire medieval towers from this street or visit one of the museums. The pedestrian zone spans 1.2 kilometres (from Maratónu Mieru Square to Osloboditeľov Square) and served, especially in the Middle Ages, as the main square of Košice. It unites the various styles of past eras and offers you the opportunity to admire masterpieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture. There you will also find the Lower Gate, an underground complex that allows you to enter the city's 13th-century fortifications.

On your way, you will encounter various sights of the city. Catch a glimpse of St. Elisabeth's Cathedral and explore the Singing Fountain behind the cathedral, which plays songs such as "Yesterday" by the Beatles with its carillon. If you are a music lover, the State Theatre could also be very promising for you. Enjoy a ballet, theatre, or opera performance. Next to St. Elisabeth's Cathedral are St. Michael's Chapel and Urban Tower (bell tower). Discover the interesting history of Urban Tower.

The impressive noble palaces and stately houses are equally worth seeing. Admire the Andrássy Palace and the 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 more detailed information on some of the wonderful sights of Košice.

St. Elisabeth's Cathedral (Dóm svätej Alžbety)

St. Elisabeth's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Elisabeth, is located in the heart of the city 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. A landmark you shouldn't miss. In addition, the imposing building offers plenty of space for everyone! Up to 5,000 people fit into the city's religious and cultural centre.

Historical background

The church has its origins as far back as the 11th century, when a Romanesque church was built in honour of St. Michael. This church was later converted into a church with a Gothic appearance. However, construction of the church known today did not begin until around 1380, after a destructive fire broke out, prompting the construction of a new church. It was meant to appear magnificent and worthy of the prosperity of the city of Košice. But the idea alone did not complete the construction. The creation of the cathedral spanned more than a century, roughly until 1490.

Architecture

St. Elisabeth's Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The imposing building is particularly notable for its unique layout, consisting of an altar area, five naves, two towers, a sacristy with an upper floor, two chapels, and a southern vestibule. Through this arrangement of the various spaces, the central nave and the four side aisles together with the transept form a Greek cross.

Urban Tower

The bell tower known as Urban Tower got its name from St. Urban (patron saint of winegrowers). In Košice, Urban Tower is also known by its Slovak name, Urbanova veža, and represents a significant historical landmark. Visit the impressive bell tower, located right next to St. Elisabeth's Cathedral! Travel back in time and discover the history of Košice. Admire the cultural heritage of this Slovak city.

Historical background

The origin of St. Urban Tower dates back to the 14th century. At that time, the bell tower was built for the Gothic cathedral and changed over the years until the bells were destroyed by a tragic fire in 1556. However, a new bell was cast from the melted remains in 1557. The five-tonne bell was named Urban. Further changes took place from 1775 onwards, but unfortunately another fire broke out in 1966, destroying the Urban Bell and the roof of the tower. However, the original Urban Bell was reassembled from the remains and has been on display in front of the tower since 1989. After the last fire, renovations and restorations took place until 2021, and to this day the bell tower is awaiting further restoration.

St. Michael's Chapel

St. Michael's Chapel was declared a national cultural monument in 1970, together with St. Elisabeth's Church and Urban Tower. It is known in the city as Kostol svätého Michala and is located in the centre as a hidden gem of the city. Just like St. Elisabeth's Church, the chapel shines in its 14th-century Gothic splendour and showcases the magnificent stories of Košice. Originally, the chapel was regarded as a cemetery chapel and was thus dedicated to the Archangel Michael (patron saint of the deceased). St. Michael's Chapel is located near St. Elisabeth's Church and Urban Tower.

Near Košice

But it's not just the city itself that has a lot to offer, the surrounding area does too. Take the chance to explore the beautiful nature of the Dobšiná Ice Cave or the magnificent Spiš Castle.

Dobšiná Ice Cave

Dobšiná Ice Cave is located just one and a half hours 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 need a ticket, and a guided tour is best. Don't forget to dress warmly and pack sturdy footwear!

Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle is located 45 minutes from the city and is known as one of the largest fortress complexes in all of Central Europe. The still well-preserved castle has already served as a filming location for major film productions such as Dragonheart. A tour is definitely worthwhile and only takes about half an hour. Equally rewarding is the view you get thanks to the castle's elevated position!

The perfect time to travel

For a city break, summer is generally always a very good choice. That's why we also recommend the period between July and August for a trip to Košice. Enjoy the city and the nature surrounding Košice in the summer warmth. If you prefer to travel in milder temperatures, then May, June, or September are great options.

What should you keep in mind when travelling to Slovakia?

Slovakia has a mandatory vignette requirement, which is particularly important for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll charged on the marked sections of motorways and expressways. You can find more information on the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also distance-based tolling. If you're not sure of the difference, feel free to check out our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the suitable toll products displayed for you. If you have any questions, we are available at any time by email.