The city of Kosice in Eastern Slovakia is the country’s second largest behind the capital Bratislava, best known for its excellently preserved historic centre which is home to a wide range of beautiful old buildings and historical sites. In addition to this, the city is a hit with its exciting selection of buzzing nightlife spots, restaurants and cafes.

An important historical area in Kosice is around the Main Street area, now a pedestrianised zone that is also home to much of the city’s finest heritage sites and architectural gems. Noted for the biggest collection of protected historical sites in the entire country, visitors can stroll through the area discovering sights such as St. Elisabeth Cathedral and the Executioner’s Bastion. Both the old and modern culture of Kosice is celebrated equally, while the city is known particularly for its thriving performing arts scene.

The city centre of Kosice is very compact and pedestrian-friendly, so most visitors looking to explore the historical centre of the city will find walking around ideal. The city also has trams and buses for visitors looking to discover the wider Kosice area. For travellers flying into the region, Kosice International Airport is situated only six kilometres outside of central Kosice and operates flights to and from various European destinations.

In celebration of Kosice’s vibrant culture and heritage, it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2013. Although the first documentation of Kosice dates back to 1230, the area is believed to have been inhabited for thousands of years. Kosice soon developed into a wealthy city by the 14th century and is notable for having one of the best preserved historic centres in Europe.