An architectural gem

Kosice is Slovakia’s second largest city. It has a long and eventful past going back to 1230, and boasts the oldest coat of arms in Europe. The well-preserved attractive historic centre of Kosice is lined with buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Secession eras. In contrast to this enticing area, the communist blocks on the outskirts of town are rather dowdy. The city’s main attraction is the enormous Cathedral of St Elizabeth, the largest church in Slovakia. The central main street is a charming pedestrian area, with lovely burgher houses and palaces, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It is a great place to stroll around and take in the gentle atmosphere. In the evenings the locals gather near the musical fountain, at one of the thriving cafes to chat or at the State Theatre to watch a performance.

Why Go?
Kosice is a charming town with a lively café culture and wonderful eclectic architecture. Evenings in the city are relaxed and pleasant and there are a number of interesting sights including galleries and museums to keep you occupied during the day.

When to Go?
Kosice has a Continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot while winters are extremely cold and snowy. The coldest months are November to March when temperatures fall regularly below zero. June- August are the warmest months, but the heat is comfortable and is considered a good time to visit, as is May and September.

How to get there?
There are a number of indirect flights operating to Kosice Airport (KSC) from the UK, with many going via Prague or Vienna. It is situated 6km from Kosice city centre. Public transport is limited to a bus service that runs less than once an hour. Plenty of taxis are available in front of the terminal.

Must see
Top of your list when visiting Kosice should be the Cathedral of St Elizabeth with its brooding Gothic exterior and decorative interior. Take an underground tour to Kosice’s archaeological excavations. Defence chambers, fortifications, waterways and the cathedral’s foundations were discovered there in 1996 while road works were being carried out. In the evenings head to the musical fountain and mingle with the locals.