Best Things to Do in Košice (Including Day Trips and Travel Tips)
It might not be the capital of Slovakia — but as the second largest and one of the oldest cities in the country, Košice deserves a place on any Slovakia itinerary.
This small, historic city with a centre that’s easy to explore on foot has a more lively, slightly cosmopolitan feel — shaped by its history, vibrant cultural scene, student population, and a relaxed, social weekend atmosphere.
Košice is perfect for history buffs and those looking for a short city break. But with strong transport connections, the city is more than just a weekend getaway — it’s also a gateway to some of the most rewarding experiences in eastern Slovakia, including medieval towns like Levoča and Bardejov, Spiš Castle, the High Tatras, and the Tokaj.
In this blog, you’ll find the best things to do in Košice, ideas for a relaxed visit, family-friendly options, and the best day trips in eastern Slovakia within easy reach of the city — along with practical tips on how to get here and plan your trip.
In This Blog
Best Things to Do in Košice
1. Explore the Old Town on Foot
Unlike many historic towns where sights are spread out, most of Košice’s key landmarks, cafés, and cultural venues are located along one single street — Hlavná — making it easy to explore the Old Town on foot.
The main landmarks — St. Elisabeth Cathedral, St. Michael’s Chapel, the Immaculata (Plague Column), and the State Theatre Košice — sit right at the centre. Further down, towards the Lower Gate, you’ll find the bronze coat of arms sculpture and sections of the original medieval city walls (currently under restoration). On the opposite side, you’ll find the East Slovak Museum.
Hlavná is lined with beautiful townhouses — including the Historical Town Hall, Hotel Slavia, and the Levoča House. Beyond this street, you’ll find two other worthwhile spots: Dominican Square offers a more local feel with its small market and historic church, while Hrnčiarska Street gives a glimpse into the city’s craft heritage.
2. Visit St. Elisabeth Cathedral
St. Elisabeth Cathedral on Hlavná Street is the largest Gothic cathedral in Slovakia and has been the focal point of Košice since the late 14th century. The interior, designed in the shape of a Greek cross and is filled with remarkable artwork — so it’s worth taking a look inside.
One of the highlights is the main altar of St. Elisabeth, unique in Central Europe for its two pairs of opening wings and 48 panel paintings. Beyond the main altar, there are several other side altars, sculptures, and frescoes worth exploring, including the restored Art Nouveau fresco depicting the life of Francis II Rákóczi, featuring the French king, the Turkish sultan, and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. His tomb is also located here, in the cathedral’s crypt.
For a different perspective of the cathedral interior, climb the rare double spiral staircase — one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. For city views, head up Sigismund’s Tower. The staircase is narrow and steep, so it’s not for everyone — but the views from the top, especially in the evening, are worth the effort.
Book a combination ticket if you’d like to see it all, and allow enough time to explore.
3. Join the Locals at Dominican Square
Dominican Square — just off Hlavná Street — is one of the best places to start your day, especially on a weekend. This small but authentic corner of Košice is where locals come to pick up fresh produce and where friends meet for a chat over coffee — and quite often a glass of wine, even at 10 am.
The atmosphere, particularly on a Saturday morning, is relaxed yet lively. Alongside the small market selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, honey, and handmade goods, you’ll find the Dominican Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — the oldest building in Košice. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants such as Doraz, Porto, and Villa Regia, it’s an easy place to stop, sit, and take in the atmosphere. It may not be a major landmark, but it’s one of the best places to experience Košice as locals do.
4. Watch Opera or Ballet at the National Theatre
If you’re coming from cities like London, Vienna or New York, where the theatre scene is world-renowned, it’s easy to overlook a smaller theatre like this. What began with travelling theatre groups and temporary wooden stages has evolved into one of the most established cultural institutions in Slovakia, particularly known for its opera and ballet.
The theatre’s opera productions have, over the years, gained a strong reputation for ambitious staging and high artistic quality. The ballet is equally noteworthy. Productions like Kaash / Dust by internationally recognised choreographer Akram Khan show how the company positions itself as modern, bold, and connected to the wider world of contemporary dance.
Unlike drama, opera and ballet remove the language barrier, making it easy to enjoy a performance even if you don’t speak Slovak. Tickets are also significantly more affordable than in larger European capitals, often allowing you to experience high-quality productions for a fraction of the price.
Check what’s on and book tickets through Visit Košice
5. Experience Košice during Local Events
There’s always something happening in Košice, and visiting during one of its events can completely transform your experience.
In spring, the city comes alive with celebrations such as City Days, the Night of Museums and Galleries, and Košice Music Spring, bringing a lively atmosphere to the historic centre.
Summer brings a more playful side of Košice, with festivals like VIRVAR for families, street athletics at Jump Fest, and open-air fashion and cultural events taking place right in front of St. Elisabeth Cathedral.
Autumn is particularly strong for cultural and sporting events — from White Night, which transforms the city into a large-scale contemporary art installation, to the International Jazz Festival and the Košice Peace Marathon, the oldest marathon in Europe, held every October.
In winter, Christmas markets, concerts, and seasonal events fill the centre with lights, music, and the scent of traditional food, making it one of the most atmospheric times to visit.
If your dates are flexible, it’s worth checking what’s on before you travel.
Things to Do in Košice with Kids
If you’re visiting Košice with children — or simply looking for a more relaxed way to explore — there are a few places worth adding to your itinerary.
The Košice Children’s Heritage Railway is one of the most popular family attractions in the city. This historic narrow-gauge train runs just outside Košice, winding through the forest in open carriages and turning a simple ride into a small adventure. The season starts on 18 April, and the opening celebration on 26 April even includes a staged ‘train robbery’ — a fun glimpse of what to expect.
The ZOO Košice is another hugely popular attraction. It’s the largest in Slovakia and one of the largest in Europe. There are around 1,500 animals here, and it’s the only place in Slovakia where you can see harbour seals, chinstrap penguins, and condors.
The Botanical Garden UPJŠ Košice is a great place to spend a couple of hours, especially in spring and early summer. With six greenhouses and thousands of plant species — from tropical plants to cacti and even rare “living fossils” — expect a fair amount of walking.
If you or your kids are into aviation, the Aviation Museum Košice near the airport is a great place to explore. There are nearly 500 exhibits tracing the history of flight, along with over 30 historic aircraft, including helicopters, fighter jets, and gliders.
For something different, head to the Slovak Technical Museum Planetarium. Located on the top floor of the Slovak Technical Museum, it offers short, engaging programmes about the night sky, constellations, and the solar system.
Top Day Trips from Košice
Košice is a great gateway to eastern Slovakia — with plenty of easy, memorable day trips within reach.
1. Spiš Castle, Spišská Kapitula & Levoča
If there’s only one day trip from Košice you can make while you’re here, make it this one. These three UNESCO World Heritage sites together make for one of the most interesting and rewarding day trips in Slovakia.
Start at Spiš Castle — one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe — exploring its well-preserved medieval ruins, open courtyards, and views across the Spiš region. Then head down the road to Spišská Kapitula, the historic seat of the Spiš bishopric. This small, fortified ecclesiastical town is centred around St. Martin’s Cathedral, known for its twin towers and richly decorated interior.
For lunch, stop at a traditional salaš to try local dishes in a more rustic setting. Continue on to Levoča, a beautifully preserved UNESCO-listed town. A few hours here is enough to walk the historic square, see the Renaissance town hall, and visit the Church of St. James — home to the tallest Gothic wooden altar in the world.
👉 Don’t miss: Best Things to Do in Levoča
2. Bardejov
At just over an hour’s drive, Bardejov is an easy and rewarding escape into one of Slovakia’s most beautiful historic towns. If you’re travelling by public transport, expect around 1 hour 35 minutes by direct bus or just under 2 hours by train.
A day trip is enough to see the main highlights. You can walk the medieval walls, explore the town square, and visit the exhibition in the historic Town Hall. You’ll also have time to explore Bardejovské Kúpele, just 5 km away, for a short stroll and a visit to the open-air museum. If you are driving, consider adding a quick stop at Zborov Castle nearby.
👉 Don’t miss: Best Things to Do in Bardejov
3. High Tatras
The High Tatras — aka Slovakia’s mini Alps — are by far the most visited mountain range in the country, attracting both locals and visitors from neighbouring countries. With dramatic peaks, alpine lakes, fresh air, and well-marked trails, it’s an easy day trip from Košice — you can be on a great hike within a couple of hours.
If you’re after something more relaxed, head to Štrbské Pleso for an easy lakeside walk. For something more scenic and slightly more challenging, hike from Hrebienok up to Skalnaté Pleso, then take the cable car down. It’s one of the best introductions to the High Tatras — and the kind of hike that makes you want to come back for more.
4. Tokaj
If you enjoy wine — and even if you don’t — a visit to the Tokaj region is a lot of fun. The smallest wine region in Slovakia and one of the oldest in the world, it’s located around 50 km from Košice and is known for its sweet Tokaj wines.
Expect picturesque villages and vineyards, along with historic wine cellars carved into volcanic tuff, where wines mature slowly in oak barrels. You can even hire a bike and cycle through the region, stopping at villages and wine cellars along the way while enjoying local food. If you’re planning a wine tasting, it’s probably best to book a tour rather than combine it with cycling.
5. Slovenský Raj
National Park Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise) is one of the most unique nature experiences in Slovakia — and a great day trip from Košice.
Known for its narrow gorges, waterfalls, and ladders fixed into the rock, this is far from your typical walk in nature. Trails often involve climbing wooden ladders, crossing footbridges, and following streams through dramatic, canyon-like landscapes. If you’re up for something a bit more heart-racing, routes through areas like Suchá Belá or Prielom Hornádu offer a great mix of scenery and adventure.
It’s a completely different experience from the High Tatras, and easily doable as a day trip. But, check conditions in advance and wear proper footwear — some sections can be slippery, especially after rain.
Practical Tips for Visiting Košice
🧭 How many days do you need in Košice?
For the city itself, 1–2 days is enough to see the main sights at a relaxed pace. If you’d like to explore beyond Košice, plan 3–4 days to include one or two day trips.
📅 Best Time to Visit Košice
Košice is a year-round destination, but the experience changes with the seasons.
- 🌸Spring (April–June): one of the best times to visit — mild weather and plenty of cultural events
- ☀️Summer (July–August): warmer, with festivals and a lively atmosphere but a lot busier
- 🍂Autumn (September–October): ideal for day trips, especially to the mountains or Tokaj wine region
- 🎄Winter (December): Christmas markets and a quieter, more atmospheric city
🛡️ Is Košice Safe?
Košice is generally a safe city, including in the evening.As with any destination, basic precautions apply — particularly late at night or outside the main areas.
✈️ How to Get to Košice
Košice is well connected, especially from within Central and Eastern Europe but also UK. There are regular flights from London.
- ✈️ By air: Košice International Airport has direct flights from several European cities
- 🚆 By train: regular connections from Bratislava, Prague, and Budapest
- 🚗 By car: useful if you plan to explore eastern Slovakia and nearby regions
🚶 How to Get Around and Beyond Košice
The historic centre is small and best explored on foot.
- 🚶 Walking: most of the main sights are within easy reach
- 🚋 Public transport: trams and buses connect the wider city, including the ZOO, the Children Railway and Botanical Garden
- 🚲 Bikes & e-scooters: a good option if you’d prefer not to explore the city on foot.
If you’re planning a day trip or two from Košice, public transport — both trains and buses — connects you to most of these destinations. Alternatively, you can hire a car for more flexibility. If you’d prefer not to drive, consider booking a tour.
Booking Tours from Košice
If you’d rather not plan everything yourself, joining a guided tour can be an easy way to explore beyond Košice — especially for places like Spiš Castle, the High Tatras, or Tokaj. This can be a good option if you’re short on time, prefer not to drive, or simply want a more structured experience.
GetYourGuide offers a range of day trips, including transport, guides, and organised itineraries.day trips, including transport, guides, and organised itineraries.
So, Why Visit Košice?
Košice may not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a trip to Slovakia — but that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s a place that’s easy to explore, rich in history and culture, and perfectly positioned to experience some of the best of eastern Slovakia — all without the crowds.
Whether you’re here for a short city break or using it as a base to explore further, Košice has a way of quietly exceeding expectations.
