Within Slovakia, the city of Kosice is known for its abundance of historical buildings and monuments, showcasing Gothic, Neoclassical, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Some of the most notable examples include the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, which is the largest church in the country, the St. Urban Tower and the State Theatre Kosice. The theatre stages dramatic performances, as well as opera and ballet.
The main square is home to one of Kosice's best-known attractions, the Singing Fountain. Every hour, the fountain forms part of a musical performance, and the surrounding area includes benches and a park, making it a great spot to relax.
Kosice's historical centre is also a perfect place for an afternoon stroll, offering excellent scenery, a shopping centre, numerous restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries. If you are seeking a more challenging hiking experience, the High Tatras Mountains are located around 130 km northwest of the city. They are one of Europe's most spectacular mountain ranges. During the winter months, this area is also a popular skiing destination.
The Kosice Peace Marathon takes place on the streets of Kosice every year and is one of the oldest marathon events in the world. The event is generally held on the first Sunday in October. For spectators, two of the most popular sports in the city are ice hockey and football. The city's biggest and most successful ice hockey club is HC Kosice, and the team's home matches are played at Steel Aréna - Ladislav Troják Stadium.
Several museums and art galleries can be found within the city. The East Slovak Museum is one of Slovakia's oldest museums. It showcases items of historical interest, including coins, jewellery and other archaeological findings, as well as fine arts and zoology collections. Meanwhile, the Slovak Technical Museum focuses on science and technology and includes a planetarium. For art enthusiasts, the largest gallery in Kosice is the East Slovak Gallery.
Kosice Zoo is a popular attraction for those with children. It is the largest zoo in the country and one of the largest in Europe, though some of the grounds are off-limits to visitors. The zoo has over 1000 animals in total, including brown bears, lions, tigers, zebras, camels, turtles, baboons and parrots.
The restaurants in Kosice offer cuisine from all over the world. Some allow you to sample popular Slovak dishes, including dumplings with sheep's cheese, goulash, cabbage soup, schnitzel and potato pancakes.