Attractions in Eastern Slovakia (Košice)
Untamed nature and vibrant city life 🏙️🐻
Showing 72 attractions · Sorted by importance
Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art
📍 Medzilaborce
🖼 Art GalleryChildren and adults alike will enjoy the vibrant colors of original pop art masterpieces in the first museum dedicated to the artist.
Bardejov Town Hall Square
📍 Bardejov
🏛 LandmarkA remarkably preserved UNESCO World Heritage town square lined with colorful Gothic and Renaissance merchant houses and a central historical town hall.
Dobšinská Ice Cave
📍 Dobšiná
🏔 Scenic ViewOne of the world's most significant ice caves, offering families a rare look at massive perennial ice floors and glaciated pillars.
Domica Cave
📍 Kečovo
🏔 Scenic ViewA majestic UNESCO World Heritage site featuring an underground boat ride along the Styx River through stunning cave formations.
East Slovak Gallery
📍 Košice
🖼 Art GalleryFamilies can explore regional history through thousands of 19th and 20th-century artworks housed in a magnificent historic palace.
Košice Zoo
📍 Košice
🐄 FarmCentral Europe's largest zoo by area, featuring a dedicated petting section with domestic animals and extensive forest enclosures.
Museum of Aviation
📍 Košice
🔬 ScienceA massive collection of historical aircraft, engines, and space technology, including a unique gallery of planes gifted by various world presidents.
Ski Plejsy
📍 Krompachy
⛷ Ski Resort470-912m elevation, 9 runs, 10km total pistes, Dec-Mar season. This officially designated Olympic preparation center features FIS-certified downhill runs, a 2-seater chairlift, and 11km of cross-country trails.
Slovak Technical Museum
📍 Košice
🔬 ScienceThe headquarters of Slovakia's national technical museum, featuring interactive physics exhibits, metallurgy displays, and a planetarium.
Spiš Castle
📍 Spišské Podhradie
🏛 LandmarkOne of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering vast ruins and historical exhibits to explore.
St. Elisabeth Cathedral
📍 Košice
🏛 LandmarkSlovakia's largest church and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe, featuring a stunning interior and a climbable tower for city views.
The Freedom Road (Cesta slobody)
📍 Štrbské Pleso
🚗 Road Trip46km paved scenic highway (1-2 hours) hugging the southern foothills of the High Tatras. It offers breathtaking panoramas of the highest peaks in the Carpathians, passing through alpine resorts and connecting Štrbské Pleso to the traditional wooden village of Ždiar.
The Gothic Route
📍 Circular
🚗 Road Trip276km paved circular route (3-4 days) through the Spiš and Gemer regions. This cultural road trip connects major UNESCO sites including Spiš Castle, the medieval town of Levoča, the mural-filled churches of the Gemer region, and the Betliar Manor House.
The Way of the Heroes of the SNP (Cesta hrdinov SNP)
📍 Dukla Pass
🥾 Hiking & Cycling770km expert-level multi-day trek crossing the entire country, with approximately 200km passing through Eastern Slovakia via Bardejov and Prešov. Total elevation gain of 31,000m over 25-30 days. Gear rental: Outdoor Guide (outdoorguide.sk).
Thermal Park Vrbov
📍 Vrbov
♨ Hot SpringGeothermal water sourced from 2000 meters depth with temperatures between 26°C and 38°C. The water contains over 10 minerals, including sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, beneficial for the musculoskeletal system. Features 10 outdoor pools open year-round.
Zemplínska Šírava
📍 Michalovce
🏔 Scenic ViewKnown as the 'Slovak Sea,' this massive reservoir offers expansive pebble beaches, water sports, and well-developed recreational areas for families.
AquaCity Poprad
📍 Poprad
🌊 Water ParkA major eco-friendly resort featuring indoor and outdoor thermal pools, laser shows, and extensive wellness facilities with views of the High Tatras.
EuroVelo 11 (Eastern Slovakia Section)
📍 Prešov
🥾 Hiking & CyclingApproximately 200km easy to moderate cycling route through the Torysa river valley, connecting the Polish border to Hungary via Prešov and Košice. Mostly paved with minor elevation changes. Bike rental: Cyklo Point (cyklopoint.sk).
Jahodná Resort
📍 Košice
⛷ Ski Resort565-705m elevation, 3 runs, 1.5km total pistes, Dec-Mar season. Features include 17km of groomed cross-country trails, night skiing, and an indoor wellness pool with a sauna complex.
Košice Old Town
📍 Košice
🏘 Town / VillageThe largest urban heritage reserve in Slovakia features the massive Gothic St. Elisabeth Cathedral and a vibrant pedestrian main street.
Levoča Historic Centre
📍 Levoča
🏘 Town / VillageThis UNESCO-listed town boasts the world's tallest wooden altar and a perfectly preserved Renaissance town hall in its historic core.
Ski Drienica - Lysá
📍 Drienica
⛷ Ski Resort535-1068m elevation, 9 runs, 2.45km total pistes, Dec-Mar season. A regional complex in the Čergov Mountains connecting Drienica valley and Lysá mountain, offering night skiing and 5km of cross-country trails.
Tokaj Wine Route
📍 Malá Tŕňa
🚗 Road Trip40km paved route (1 day) traversing the UNESCO-listed Tokaj wine region near the Hungarian border. Highlights include the unique volcanic stone wine cellars of Malá Tŕňa and Veľká Tŕňa, the Vineyard Lookout Tower, and miles of rolling vineyard landscapes.
Zádiel Canyon
📍 Zádiel
🌲 NatureA monumental 3-kilometer long limestone gorge within the Slovak Karst, featuring dramatic 300-meter vertical cliffs and family-friendly hiking trails.
Herľany Geyser
📍 Herľany
🏔 Scenic ViewA rare European cold-water geyser that erupts approximately every two days, shooting water up to 20 meters high.
Jasov Cave
📍 Jasov
🏔 Scenic ViewA UNESCO-listed cave near Košice known for its complex labyrinth of passages, historical inscriptions, and beautiful dripstones.
Košice Peace Marathon
📍 Košice
🎭 EventFirst Sunday of October, 1-day athletic event. Founded in 1924, it is the oldest marathon in Europe and the third oldest in the world. Attracts over 10,000 international participants and elite runners. Includes a full marathon, half-marathon, and a popular family run through the historic city center.
Nature of the Carpathians Exhibition (East Slovak Museum)
📍 Košice
🔬 ScienceA comprehensive natural history wing showcasing the biodiversity, geology, and paleontology of the Carpathian mountain range.
Šariš Gallery
📍 Prešov
🖼 Art GalleryThis gallery offers a family-friendly look at historic and contemporary Slovak art within a beautiful late-Gothic burgher house.
Spišská Kapitula
📍 Spišské Podhradie
🏰 CastleA fortified medieval ecclesiastical town known as the Slovak Vatican, featuring a beautiful Romanesque cathedral and quiet historic streets.
St. Nicholas Con-Cathedral
📍 Prešov
🏛 LandmarkA dominant Hall-style Gothic church featuring a high tower and a valuable collection of Baroque altars in Prešov's historic center.
State Theatre Košice
📍 Košice
🏛 LandmarkA magnificent Neo-Baroque architectural gem located in the heart of the city, hosting world-class opera, ballet, and drama performances.
Veľká Domaša
📍 Holčíkovce
🏔 Scenic ViewA popular reservoir famous for its exceptionally clean turquoise water, offering several public beach areas ideal for swimming, windsurfing, and sailing.
Zádiel Gorge Circular Trail (Zádielska tiesňava)
📍 Zádiel
🥾 Hiking & Cycling10km moderate loop hike through the deepest gorge in Slovakia within the Slovak Karst National Park. Features 450m elevation gain and takes approximately 4 hours. Highlights include the 105m tall Sugar Loaf rock pillar.
Dukla Pass Scenic Road
📍 Vyšný Komárnik
🚗 Road Trip20km paved mountain route (2-3 hours) on Route 21 through the Laborec Highlands. Known as the 'Valley of Death' due to intense WWII battles, the drive features a massive open-air military museum with T-34 tanks, aircraft, and the imposing Dukla Battlefield Memorial.
Kežmarok Town Centre
📍 Kežmarok
🏘 Town / VillageA significant historic town featuring a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture alongside a majestic castle and a UNESCO wooden church.
Prešov Old Town
📍 Prešov
🏘 Town / VillageA historic area characterized by its lens-shaped main square, beautiful Renaissance townhouses, and the tall tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Ranch pod Ostrou skalou
📍 Stratená
🐄 FarmA high-altitude rural ranch near the Dobšinská Ice Cave offering horseback riding and a rustic atmosphere in the Slovak Paradise.
Ski Centrum Gugel - Mlynky
📍 Mlynky
⛷ Ski Resort765-966m elevation, 6 runs, 5.5km total pistes, Dec-Mar season. The largest ski resort in the broader Slovak Paradise area, providing diverse terrain for both beginners and advanced skiers, plus 11km of cross-country loops.
Ski Resort Litmanová
📍 Litmanová
⛷ Ski Resort671-911m elevation, 5 runs, 2.2km total pistes, Dec-Mar season. Located in the Pieniny Mountains, the resort is known for its high-quality snowmaking, night skiing, 12km of cross-country trails, and traditional tea house.
Solivar Salt Works
📍 Prešov
🏛 LandmarkA unique 17th-century technical monument complex for salt mining and boiling, including a wooden brine elevator and massive salt storehouse.
Spišská Nová Ves Zoo
📍 Spišská Nová Ves
🦁 ZooA charming and compact zoo known for its beautiful park setting and diverse collection of over 130 animal species near the Slovak Paradise.
Steelpark - Park vedy
📍 Košice
🔬 ScienceAn interactive discovery center focusing on metallurgy, physics, and robotics, offering over 50 hands-on exhibits for curious families.
Tarzania Alpinka
📍 Košice
🧗 AdventureA popular forest rope park located just outside the city, offering diverse climbing challenges and ziplines for all ages.
The Crater (Travertine Lake)
📍 Vyšné Ružbachy
♨ Hot SpringA unique natural monument and the largest travertine lake in Central Europe. The circular basin is filled with thermal mineral water at a constant temperature of 23°C, enclosed by a natural approximately 20-meter diameter stone wall formed by mineral deposits.
Thermalpark Šírava
📍 Kaluža
♨ Hot SpringModern geothermal complex utilizing mineral-rich water from a 1500m deep borehole. Features indoor and outdoor thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 30°C to 36°C, located on the banks of the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir.
Tricklandia
📍 Starý Smokovec
🎢 Theme ParkAn interactive indoor theme park that uses mirrors and trick art to showcase Slovak folk legends through creative optical illusions.
Volovské Hills Ridge Trail (Hrebeňovka Volovských vrchov)
📍 Košice (Jahodná)
🥾 Hiking & Cycling45km challenging ridge hike or MTB route from Jahodná to Štós-kúpele. Elevation gain of 1,600m, typically completed in 2 days for hikers. Offers panoramic views from Kojšovská hoľa. Bike rental: Bike House (bikehouse.sk).
Košice Children's Railway
📍 Košice
🎢 Theme ParkA historic narrow-gauge heritage railway where young railway enthusiasts aged 10–15 operate the trains under adult professional supervision, offering family-friendly rides through the scenic Čermeľ valley.
Morské Oko Lake
📍 Remetské Hámre
🏔 Scenic ViewA tranquil, crystal-clear volcanic lake nestled deep within the beech forests of the Vihorlat Mountains.
Stropkov Zoo Park
📍 Stropkov
🐄 FarmA boutique, family-friendly animal park known for its intimate atmosphere and opportunities to feed various domestic and exotic species.
Aquapark Prešov Delňa
📍 Prešov
🌊 Water ParkA significant indoor aquatic center featuring large stainless steel pools, water slides, and a comprehensive wellness world in the heart of Prešov.
Dobšiná Hill Pass
📍 Dobšiná
🚗 Road Trip6.4km winding paved mountain pass on Route 67, famous among driving enthusiasts for its numerous hairpin turns and steep gradient. It provides spectacular views over the Palcmanská Maša reservoir and the southern reaches of Slovak Paradise National Park. Also hosts FIA European Hill Climb Championship rounds.
Ekopark Holá Hora
📍 Prešov
🐄 FarmAn educational eco-park and petting zoo focused on domestic farm animals, popular for family outings in the heart of Prešov.
KE.CY Singletrack Network
📍 Košice (Bankov)
🥾 Hiking & CyclingOver 25km of purpose-built mountain bike trails ranging from easy flow trails to expert technical descents like 'Držhuba'. Elevation varies by trail. Managed by local volunteers. Bike rental: Specialized Concept Store Košice.
Museum of Folk Architecture, Bardejovské Kúpele
📍 Bardejov
🏘 Town / VillageSlovakia's oldest open-air museum provides families a look into traditional rural life through its collection of 24 folk architecture structures.
Outdoor Park Prešov Rope Center
📍 Prešov
🧗 AdventureOne of the largest rope centers in the region, featuring high-altitude obstacles, climbing walls, and a dedicated children's area.
Planetarium and Observatory in Prešov
📍 Prešov
🔬 ScienceAn educational facility offering star shows, astronomical observations, and science programs focused on the solar system and space exploration.
Summer Bobsled Track Kavečany
📍 Košice
🧗 AdventureA thrilling 800-meter stainless steel alpine coaster with nine sharp turns, located near the city's zoo and botanical gardens.
Thermal Park Lipany
📍 Lipany
🌊 Water ParkA newer geothermal water park situated on a hill, offering eight thermal pools and numerous water slides with scenic views of the Čergov mountains.
Tokaj Wine Cycling Route (Tokajská vinohradnícka cesta)
📍 Čerhov
🥾 Hiking & Cycling25km easy cycling loop through the historic Slovak Tokaj wine region. Low elevation gain, taking 2-3 hours through vineyards and volcanic tuff wine cellars. Bike rental: Tokaj House (tokajregion.sk).
Trebišov Town Park
📍 Trebišov
🌿 GardenA historic manor park designed in French and English styles, home to the neo-Gothic Andrássy family mausoleum and diverse botanical species.