Are you wondering if Košice is worth visiting? Slovakia’s second city is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations — rich in history and culture, refreshingly free of crowds and very easy on the wallet.
There isn’t an overwhelming number of things to see here, but there is more than enough to fill a great day in Košice. It’s the kind of place that quietly wins you over.
Here are my top reasons to visit.
1. You’ll love the city’s historic centre
Košice’s historic centre is a jewellery box of medieval bastions, gnarled Gothic sculptures and flamboyant Baroque sculptures. You’ll find most of its architectural showpieces in and around Main Street (Hlavná ulica), which is a lovely place to wander.
2. It’s home to the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe
The show-stopping 14th-century Cathedral of St. Elisabeth dominates Košice’s main square. At 60 metres long, this is Slovakia’s largest cathedral, and it’s worth popping inside.
I loved the carved stone pulpit and the stained glass windows that wrap around the main altar.
Look out for the 15th-century frescoes, discovered during restoration in 1892.
3. There’s a vibrant street art scene
From the urban art in London’s Brick Lane to Málaga’s magnificent murals, I am a huge fan of street art. So I was delighted to discover that Košice has a growing scene of its own.
The Open Mural Gallery (OMG) was the brainchild of Street Art Communication, a local organisation that brought street art to the city. There are now 30 murals dotted around Košice.
4. The cafes are fabulous
You could easily spend the best part of a day in Košice café hopping. The Art Nouveau Café Slaviá is the most famous place for coffee and cake, frequented by locals and visitors for over a century.
It’s a great spot for people-watching (or just watching the world go by). They also have rooms if you fancy staying.
5. The craft beer scene is excellent
Founded in 1542, Hostinec is Slovakia’s oldest restaurant and brews its own beer on the premises. I went for the Košickí majstri, which was a solid choice. They also do brewery tours if you want to go behind the scenes.
6. Košice is an affordable destination
Food and drink in Košice are very reasonable. Main courses are under €10, and a pint of beer or glass of wine will set you back around €2. It’s not as cheap as Poland or Romania, but it’s considerably more affordable than most Western European cities
7. It’s quiet and crowd-free
No tour groups, no selfie stick gauntlet. Košice is a lower-key alternative to Bratislava, with all the atmosphere but a fraction of the footfall.
8. It’s very easy to get around
Almost everything worth seeing is clustered around the historic centre, so you won’t need public transport. Arriving by train? You can walk to the main sights in ten minutes.
9. It makes a great base for day trips
I used Košice as a base to visit Prešov and Bardejov, both easy day trips by train.Spiš Castle and the UNESCO-listed town of Levoča are also within reach.
10. Košice is a safe city for solo travellers
Solo travellers will feel safe here. Košice has low crime rates, minimal street harassment and is easy to navigate after dark.
I didn’t feel unsafe at any point. As ever, a bit of common sense — sticking to familiar streets, keeping valuables secure — goes a long way.
I hope this has convinced you to add Košice to your list! For more on what to see, take a look at my other Slovakia guides:
- What to Do in Kosice in a Day
- How to Spend a Day in Bratislava, Slovakia
- 10 Reasons to Visit Bratislava, Slovakia
- Why I Loved Bardejov, A UNESCO Gem in Slovakia
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.