10 Exciting Things To Do in Košice

Košice is the second-largest city in Slovakia, with over 230,000 inhabitants. People usually visit the capital city, but there are plenty of cool things to do in Košice. And it is not only the city center, where stands the biggest and most eastern gothic cathedral, that is worth visiting.

Underground Lower Gate

Near the St. Elizabeth cathedral, under the main street, are accessible old remains of Lower Gate. The gate was discovered during the main street reconstruction, which took place between 1996 and 1998. The city decided to build an underground museum there.

They initiated the city’s fortification system in the 13th century and gradually expanded it until the 18th century. The Lower Gate is one of the most intriguing parts of the system. It was slowly removed. Arpad Tower was the first part. Later, in 1827, the remainder of the bridge corridor, and the Luxembourg Tower, together with the adjacent sections of the walls and the Gabriel Bethlen bastion, were removed.

Observation deck Hradová

The observation deck Hradová is on the outskirts of the town on the hill Hradová in the northern part of the city. From the parking lot, it’s a 20-minute walk to the tower, which is around 21 meters high. It was opened to the public in 1987. There is a fee of 1.50 EUR for adults and 0.50 EUR for some children and older people (children under 120 cm have free access).

It is usually open to the public during the spring, summer, and early autumn from 10 am to 6 pm. You can find more information about the opening hours here. If you decide to visit the deck, do not forget to check the remains of the Košice castle nearby.

Collosseum Club

The most famous club focuses on underground scenes and subcultures. People established it in 2005 as a cultural center. It hosts concerts, movie screenings, theaters, parties, workshops, exhibitions, and lectures. The live concerts cover a broad spectrum from metal, punk, hardcore, grindcore, crust, reggae, ska, alternative, indie music, and even hip hop.

There are two entrances. One for the public is on Dominikánske námestie 35, and the second one is on Vrátna Street 70. Three bars with 3-6 beers on tap and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

White Night

White Night is an annual art festival that transforms the city into a vibrant canvas of light and creativity for an entire weekend. The event features installations, video projections, performances, mapping displays, exhibitions, and many other artistic expressions that bring the streets to life.

You can observe art on the streets of the city or buy a special pass ticket to enter the private zones usually hosted in cultural centers like Tabačka Kulturfabrik, Kunsthalle, or Kasárne Kulturpark and additional smaller places and galleries.

Graffiti – Street art

Košice is not very different from the capital city. Both have some areas where artistic expression thrives. While Bratislava’s city center around Kamenné Námestie features prominent murals and graffiti, the street art in Košice is more concentrated in its outer districts.

One such district, KVP, has offered legal walls for graffiti for many years, particularly on Klimkovičova Street. In 2024, KVP hosted the inaugural Creative Streets festival, showcasing five large murals created by renowned international and national artists. Many smaller artworks were also featured, with several located near Starozagorská Street (school).

Peace Marathon

Organizers established this annual road marathon in 1924. The marathon has been held every year since 1941, making it the oldest continuously running marathon in the world. It is the oldest marathon in Europe and the third-oldest in the world. The marathon usually happens on the first Sunday in October in the city center, with two loops. Many world-class runners were part of it. Its history began when Vojten Bukovský organized the inaugural race beneath the ruins of Turňa Castle. It quickly gained international prestige and attention.

Rafting on the Hornád river

People who love sports can book a tour and try rafting on the Hornad River through Košice and nearby villages. Some of these activities are also suitable for families with children. The rafting season usually starts on 1st May and lasts until 31st October.

Museum of the Victims of Communism

The museum is on Moyzesova Street 24, open daily from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The entrance fee for adults is 7 EUR, for students 3 EUR, for children up to 10 y. old free of charge. You can opt for a guided tour with a Slovak and English-speaking guide or audio guide. It includes video stories that give you better insight into the life and experiences of people persecuted during the communist era. You will also learn about the victims and creative ways in which people fight against censorship.

Memorial Exhibition of Sándor Márai

Sándor Márai was a Hungarian author and writer born in Košice. He wrote many books portraying life in this town. There is a permanent exhibition on Mäsiarská Street where you can visit his house and find out how the interiors look and what kind of treasures they offer. The place is open daily (except Mondays) from 10 am to 5 pm.

Urbex

The list of interesting things to do in Košice ends with Urbex locations. There are some infamous ones like the Bankov Mine. Many local Urbex enthusiasts and foreign visitors can’t resist exploring the place. You can reach the place by bus number 13 from the city center. The main entrance has a watchman, but you can check the other streets and entrances. But be careful when hanging inside.

In 2023, two people from the Netherlands, who came for Urbex reportedly got trapped in an unknown location. They were “accidentally” buried by the site’s employees. Both men, father and son, had been at the mine site since morning. The rescue operation concluded around ten in the evening, when both men were brought out of the mine.

Another great location near the city center is the former swimming pool Triton. Take tram number 1, 3, or 4 and get off at the Ryba stop. The last time it was in use was during the summer season 2017. Then the pool became abandoned, and its future is complicated.

The summer swimming complex, managed by the Košice-Juh district, features three pools, the only water slide in Košice, and a beach sports field, showers, changing rooms, refreshment stands, and a tennis court.