Information

Košice is a city full of contrasts.

A city full of historical stories embroidered not only by the images of modern days of the future. It’s a city that delights an enthusiastic adventurer, a visionary, and a passionate bonvivant who falls for its present moment.

Neverending loud conversations on summer terraces, dancing lessons in a hidden courtyard, and a friendly street musician.These are the people who bring the city’s vibe to life. The local ones or those who stop here just for a brief encounter. They observe, cherish and cultivate its stories.

It is also a city with its own speed—you may fall in love with the slow mornings with a cup of coffee or nightlife doomed to be forgotten. This city doesn’t judge, doesn’t pretend. And it is definitely not a boring one. Its essence is created through the authentic atmosphere of everyday moments.

Košice is a city that isn’t afraid to take spontaneous actions. A city beating in its own rhythm can be experienced only in person. Come and explore Košice with us—a unique Central European metropolis.

Košice in short:

• the second largest city in Slovakia (250,000 inhabitants)

• 3 universities (21,000 students)

• European Capital of Culture 2013

• UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts 2018

• European Volunteering Capital 2019

• the oldest marathon in Europe and the third oldest worldwide

• the largest preserved municipal area in Slovakia

There are 10 official holidays in Slovakia. Hence, you won’t find any shopping centers or shops open during these days. Other venues, such as restaurants, museums, and galleries might still be open.

The list of holidays:

• Jan 1—Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic

• Jan 6—Epiphany

• Good Friday (The date changes each year between Mar 22 and Apr 25)

• May 1—Labor Day

• May 8—Victory in Europe Day

• Jul 5—Saints Cyril and Methodius Day

• Aug 29—Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising

• Sep 1—Day of Constitution of the Slovak Republic

• Sep 15—Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

• Nov 1—All Saints’ Day

• Nov 17—Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day

• Dec 24—Christmas Eve

• Dec 25—Christmas Day

• Dec 26—St Stephen’s Day / 2nd Day of Christmas

Stores and services at Košice Station are open during national holidays, as indicated by the current information on www.stanicakosice.sk.

Košice has a mild continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The ideal time to visit the city is from mid-April to mid-October or before Christmas.

Quick info:

• The hottest month of the year: July (24°C)

• The coldest month of the year: January (-4°C)

• The rainiest month of the year: June (91 mm)

• The windiest month of the year: March (8 m/h)

Košice has always used to be part of important trading routes in Europe. And it also played a pivotal role in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire as the center of eastern Slovakia.

In the past, Košice belonged to the cities with the highest density of inhabitants in the former empire. No wonder that the association of 24 Spiš cities was founded here, as well as the cluster of 5 most important cities, the so-called Pentapolitana, and the association of 5 mine cities, too.

The written record of Košice is from 1230. Thanks to the convenient trading and strategic position, the city experienced rapid development. The oldest guild statutes in the country have been preserved since 1307, and in 1369, Košice was the first city in Europe to receive its own city coat of arms. From 1347 to the 18 century, it held the title of the second capital of Upper Hungary (the first being Buda, today a part of Budapest). According to its administration, political and trade situation, the University Cassoviensis was formed here in 1657.

The historical center of Košice had its own fortifications until the18th century. Nowadays, you’ll find here a 1-kilometer-long pedestrian zone surrounded by magnificent historical buildings occupied by Middle Age kings,counts, and other royalty in the past. The historical town is full of legends and stories, picturesque palaces of the rich gentry are mixed with craftsmen’s houses,churches, little squares, and narrow alleys, which allure the passersby walking curiously around. The exhibitions in the historical center reveal animmense portion of the city’s history, as well as its scientific,cultural, and artistic development.

The former Middle Age square is today home to the largest preserved municipal area in Slovakia.

Historically and architecturally speaking, the beautiful buildings in the center surround the historical town in the perfect shape of a lens. Look through it into the history yourself.

Milestones of Košice history

• 1230—the first written documentation

• 1369—the first city coat of arms in Europe

• 1924—the first year of the Košice Peace Marathon

• 1935—Košice Golden Treasure was found

• 1960—the beginning of the metallurgical era

• 1983—the declaration of the Košice preserved municipal area

• 1988—Košice is declared as one of 3 Cities of Peace by OSN

• 2013—European City of Culture

• 2016—European City of Sport

• 2018—UNESCO City of Media Arts

• 2019—European Volunteering Capital