10 Tips for Your First Košice Trip in the New Year

Even though the magical Christmas season will be behind us in January, you can still enjoy the enchanting glow of a quarter-million lights at Anička Park until the end of January 2025. Košice’s first illuminated park invites you into a fairytale world of princesses, knights, plants, animals, and other magical creatures. Take your children on an unforgettable stroll through the winter park and introduce them to a world filled with imagination and wonder, brought to life by thousands of sparkling lights!

Pay attention to the Košice landmark where nearly every journey through the city begins. Book a guided tour of St. Elizabeth's Cathedral and explore its unique treasures, including the renowned altar, celebrated since medieval times as the site of a Vatican-recognized miracle (also known as the Cult of Christ's Blood). Don't miss the 59-meter-high Sigismund Tower, the tomb of Francis II Rákóczi, the magnificent organ, and the stunning stained glass windows.

Let’s be honest – the best trips are accompanied by great food that fuels us for further exploration and uncovering the cultural and historical essence of a city. You’ll find this perfect combination at the renowned Villa Regia restaurant, which boasts a 20-year tradition. Savor traditional dishes with a modern twist, a menu tailored to seasonal ingredients, fantastic wines, and top-notch service.

Stay right in the heart of the action during your trip to Košice. The Boutique Hotel Bristol on Orlia Street offers a fantastic experience with its comfortable accommodations, just steps away from St. Elizabeth's Cathedral. Enjoy exceptional service and the hotel's amenities, including a cozy wellness area where you can unwind and recharge after days of exploring the city in the chilly weather.

If you're a devoted fan of art and culture, don’t miss the incredible opportunity to explore everything offered by the largest regional gallery in eastern Slovakia. The East Slovak Gallery, with its two locations on Alžbetina and Hlavná Streets, features vibrant temporary exhibitions, an engaging permanent collection, regular guided tours, workshops, VSG Mini for kids, a library of professional literature, and a charming gift shop. Be sure to add the East Slovak Gallery to your Košice travel itinerary!

An Island of Treasures, or perhaps more fittingly, an Underground of Treasures, could serve as the perfect title for a historical novel about the legendary discovery in Košice. You can explore this most famous treasure at the East Slovak Museum. The Košice Gold Treasure consists of 2,920 gold coins, a massive Renaissance chain, and three gold medals.

This remarkable find was unearthed in 1935 during excavation work on Hlavná Street. It was discovered in a copper container shaped like a loaf of bread, adorned with a hunting motif on its lid. Come and marvel at one of the largest preserved gold treasures in the world – just imagine how the discoverers must have felt in the 1930s, uncovering such an extraordinary find during what seemed like an ordinary renovation!

Do you have a passion for adrenaline-pumping sports that get your heart racing? Join the community of winter sports enthusiasts in Košice who wait all year for this season! Grab your skis or ski mountaineering gear and make your way up the snowy trail to the highest peak in the region – Kojšovská hoľa, standing at 1,246 meters above sea level.

Known for its meteorological station, 49 peace pillars, and a cozy rest spot for hikers and athletes at Chata Erika, this destination is perfect for a group adventure or a family outing. Breathe in the crisp winter forest air and make the climb for an unforgettable sunrise – on clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of the majestic Tatra peaks!

Treat yourself not only to the crisp winter forest air but also to a sip of the age-old beverage cherished by nearly every visitor to Košice. Visit the oldest inn in the region, dating back to the days of the former Kingdom of Hungary, and explore the diverse menu of Pivovar Hostinec, located in the historic Levočský dom on Hlavná Street.

In the brewery’s underground cellars—once the original level of the medieval city—you’ll find massive polished tanks where a variety of lagers and limited-edition beers are brewed. Join a unique brewery tour, where the trained staff will guide you through the brewing process and share the hidden stories of this historic location, including the discovery of the Silver Treasure!

Take a break and relax with a cup of exceptional coffee and a delicious dessert at the renowned Café Slávia, located right next to the National Theatre of Košice. Known across Slovakia from a popular TV program, this café is a feast for the eyes and all other senses, offering a unique menu and professional service. Part of the Boutique Hotel Slávia, this gem also provides luxurious accommodations in the heart of the historic center, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building.

Prefer indoor activities during chilly weather? Dive into Košice’s vibrant cultural scene, where you can enjoy the warmth of indoor spaces while watching iconic stories come to life on stage. Košice offers numerous opportunities to experience captivating performances, puppet shows, or productions by independent creative ensembles.

Visit the Košice Puppet Theatre, the two venues of the National Theatre of Košice, the Municipal Theatre of Košice, or the Divadlo Na Peróne, and make the most of January 2025 in style! You can find the latest theater programs in our always up-to-date Event Calendar.

Bonus: Don’t miss the traditional New Year’s Concert at the House of Arts/State Philharmonic Košice. Enjoy an evening filled with beautiful melodies under the baton of conductor Rastislav Štúr, featuring performances by the Bratislava Boys’ Choir!

For more tips on activities and attractions in Košice, visit our website in the See and Experience section or check out our blog, #NaMapke.