Cool off in the natural lakes near the city or at the famous reservoirs that are a staple of locals’ summer itineraries. Visit Košice in the summer and explore the natural areas just a stone’s throw from the city – after your trip, treat yourself to some delicious specialities in Košice’s restaurants and renowned pubs!

City swimming pools for young and old alike

Join those who savour the summer months in Košice to the full, and cool off at Košice’s swimming pools on your summer stroll through the city. Rumanova Swimming Pool offers a wonderful place to relax right in the heart of the city’s bustling centre and within the City Park – here you’ll find three new pools (swimming, non-swimming and children’s) as well as several snack bars serving tasty refreshments.

Near the lido, you can relax in the park grounds, which feature a picturesque pond, a multi-purpose sports ground and a modern floating fountain controlled by artificial intelligence, as well as children’s play areas. Check out their website for regular summer screenings with audiovisual displays – more information in our Events Calendar.

The traditional Červená hviezda Swimming Pool is also one of the long-standing water attractions – the facility is one of the significant icons of Košice’s architecture , designed by architect Ľudovít Oelschläger. The swimming, non-swimming, children’s and water polo pools will surprise you with their modern, refurbished design and renovated changing room lockers.

Source: Košice Dnes 24

For families with children and lovers of urban nature, we recommend a visit to the Ryba Anička Lido in Anička Park, featuring a swimming pool, a children’s pool and a leisure pool, all fed by water from the Gajdový spring! The lido also offers the chance to go boating and enjoy sport fishing for keen adventurers. What’s more, table football is free here!

P.S.: When visiting Košice, do stop off at the Nad jazerom housing estate, which offers an exceptional urban landscape of prefab blocks surrounding a large body of water – used by winter swimmers in winter and for wakeboarding in summer at the Trixen: Wake & Ski Park.

Adrenaline-fuelled kayaking and unspoilt nature around the reservoirs

Discover the beauty of eastern Slovakia’s countryside just a short distance from the city – join in the summer activities typical of Košice’s local patriots and head to the Bukovec, just five kilometres from Košice. Sample traditional summer favourites such as langoš, chips and draught drinks, and try a swim in the waters of this magnificent reservoir whilst taking in the view of the surrounding forests.

If you enjoy exploring the natural areas near the city, you’ll certainly be charmed by the local atmosphere at Ružín Boathouse with its impressive setting, pedalos, snack bar and the latest addition – a modern water slide for children!

Head to one of the popular reservoirs in the area, such as the Uhorná Reservoir in Smolník, a former reservoir built for mining operations. Today, you can enjoy local culinary specialities at the on-site restaurant, go boating and enjoy a leisurely spot of fishing in beautiful natural surroundings.

Source: Košice Region

Thermal spa treatments within 50 kilometres of Košice

Immerse yourself in the soothing waters of the thermal springs near the city, which you can reach comfortably by car, bus or train in just under an hour. Discover the mystical Zemplín region with all the summer attractions familiar to the locals of Michalovce – Zemplínska Šírava, a huge reservoir known as the ‘sea of eastern Slovakia’, will surprise you with its range of summer activities.

Discover holiday resorts such as Prímestská, Slnečný lúč, Medvedia hora, Kamenec and Kaluža. When visiting Zemplínska Šírava, don’t miss Lake Vinianske near the village of Vinné, which offers a wealth of summer experiences for everyone – enjoy swimming, boating, cycling, fishing and easy walks to the ruins of Viniansky Castle. For those looking to relax in thermal waters, we also recommend a visit to the local resorts.

Source: Ekempy.sk

Discover hidden natural treasures

Walk through unspoilt nature and fill your days with tranquillity in the forest areas near Košice, where you can explore historic mining areas, magical adits and the unexplored countryside around the town of Gelnica. Come and refresh yourself at the Thurzovské Lake forest reservoir, famous since the days of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire for its natural spa, where the aristocracy used to be treated for nervous and respiratory ailments.

Today, you can reach the lake via a short and easy walk from Gelnica through an enchanting forest and admire the recent revitalisation of this spot, known only to true local patriots. Not far from the lake, you’ll also find the Jozef Adit, the historic Krížová Adit and the new Krížová Adit.

Sources: Somvychodnar.sk, Košice Region

In search of pilgrimage history, and the ruins of a forest spa

Set off in search of a unique experience in nature and visit the little-known village of Rudník with its turquoise-water quarry, which the locals also nicknamed ‘Little Croatia’. After a walk through vast meadows, you’ll come across an industrial site for the extraction of dry kaolin, where swimming at your own risk is a favourite pastime for residents of nearby villages.

Source: Košice Region

Wander through the meadows towards the forest, where you’ll find the fairytale-like Pilgrimage Church of St Anne, completed in 1770, with St Anne’s drinking spring. There are also information boards in the vicinity about the now-defunct historic Rudnícke Spa, which was destroyed during the Second World War. As late as the second half of the 19th century, they operated as cold-water spas for rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions.

Bonus tip: Experience adrenaline-fuelled adventures for groups of friends or adventurous families with children – services Splavujeme.sk will reveal the hidden corners of the legendary River Hornád on recreational trips and kayaking and canoeing courses. You can also set off with them on wild rafting trips down the Hornád, Bodrog and Dunajec rivers!

Unwind after your summer adventures in Košice’s pubs and restaurants, which offer menus to suit every foodie. Here you’ll find the fantastic Villa Regia serving seasonal delicacies on the cosy Dominikánske Square, or the oldest pub dating back to medieval times, serving speciality beers – Pivovar Hostinec. Find out more on our website.