Getting ready for an unforgettable trip that will go beyond your expectations. The Košice Region is not just Eastern Slovakia – it is the EPICENTRE of adrenaline, romance, and mysteries waiting to be unveiled. You can discover the beauty and nooks and crannies of the Košice Region during the European Under-21 Football Championship. Get ready for great moments that you will remember for a long time to come.
Do you know a place where you may find everything? Even the “sea”? Because that’s exactly what the Košice region is like. It offers visitors a wide range of diverse experiences and adventures, from exploring wine cellars and adrenaline-fueled adventures to history. You may experience all this and much more within two hours of the city of Košice itself.
- Tokaj: The location where exceptional wine is produced
Imagine endless green vineyards, old cellars full of liquid gold, and stories of a colourful history. Welcome to Tokaj, Slovakia’s Tuscany, an exceptionally charming wine-growing region of Slovakia
For romantic souls, there are walks among the vineyards, delicious wine tastings, and picturesque villages such as Viničky and Malá Tŕňa to discover. If you are looking for adventure, a barrel-shaped observation tower awaits you. For the more daring adventurers, there is an adventure boat trip on the Bodrog River or even accommodation in wine barrels! Activity-oriented visitors will enjoy the many kilometres of bike trails and countless hiking trails.
Remember to visit the wine cellars in Veľká Tŕňa, a complex of 33 stone portals that will take you to medieval wine cellars with a history dating back to the 15th century. These tuff cellars, originally dug as shelters, now harbour the treasures of local winemakers. Fans of The Lord of the Rings will also find something to enjoy here. The similarity of the cellars to hobbit houses is just striking.
From Tokaj, it is only a short distance to Dolný Zemplín, where you can relax by the Slovak sea – at the Zemplínska Šírava lake.
2. Adrenaline rush right in Košice: TRIXEN Water Skiing
We have a tip for anyone looking for a real adrenaline rush and wanting to experience something unusual. You don’t have to go anywhere far. Right in Košice, in the Nad Jazerom housing complex, you will find the TRIXEN Water Ski Club. Here you may try water skiing or wakeboarding, which will definitely get your blood flowing fast.
Košice water skiers are among the best in Europe and their history is replete with successes. Did you know that Košice even hosted the European Championships in this sport? If you are looking for a place where tradition meets modern adrenaline, TRIXEN is your ideal choice. Even if you are a complete beginner, don’t give up. During July and August, there is a Children’s Hour when even the youngest ones can learn under the supervision of trainers. Adjusted speed and a rescue boat are a matter of course.
Experience what true freedom on the water means. Maybe you’ll discover your hidden talent and become the next water-skiing star. And if you don’t feel up to it, you can at least enjoy watching others ride while sipping a cold beer.
3. Zipline Gombasek: Fly over breathtaking scenery
For all enthusiasts of heights and unforgettable experiences, there is an attraction that will take your breath away. In an idyllic setting near the famous Gombasecká Jaskyňa cave, you will find Zipline Gombasek – the longest zipline in the Košice Region. Get ready for a flight of approximately 500 metres that will take you over the extensive grounds of a former monastery.
The departure point is located right in the campsite. From there, you will take off and fly over the ruins of the historic 14th-century Pauline Monastery. You will enjoy a unique view of this monument, which is part of the Gombasek educational trail.
If you don’t find the courage for an adrenaline-filled experience, you may enjoy a peaceful walk through the unique grounds, which are constantly being expanded with new attractions and services. If you are looking for the perfect combination of history and adrenaline, Zipline Gombasek is your ticket to a world of memorable experiences. Remember to check the opening hours. Good luck to those who are ready.
4. Košice Region, a paradise for castle enthusiasts
Get ready for a thrilling journey into the past, where every stone is steeped in history and every castle has its own story full of ancient events. The Košice Region is unbelievably abundant in these gems and is home to more than 40 ruins of castles, manors, and fortifications, and we will introduce you to two of them that are sure to impress you and are just a stone’s throw from Košice.
Štítnik Water Castle
Get ready for something surprising. In the village of Štítnik, you will find the fascinating Water Castle, a medieval structure dating back to 1432, which served as a defensive fortress. Today, however, the castle has a completely different purpose. It has become a centre of culture and relaxation in the Gemer Region.
Imagine: Art exhibitions, open-air concerts, a summer cinema, wine tastings, and craft markets – all of this happening in the majestic setting of this water castle. And as a bonus? You will also find a petting zoo – Gemerský Dvor – and even free sports equipment rental. This landmark is definitely worth a trip.
Turniansky Hrad castle
Head to the top and discover the remains of the majestic Turniansky Hrad castle, which towers over the village of Turňa nad Bodvou on a karst hill 375 metres high. These ruins, dating from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, offer views that are like something out of a postcard. You will see the village of Turňa nad Bodvou, the beautiful Hájská Dolina valley, the Jasovská Planina and Zádielska Planina plains, and the entire Košice and the Turnianska Kotlina basin.
Take a walk among the ruins of bastions, fortifications, and palaces and imagine how knights and nobles lived here in the Middle Ages. The castle was demolished in 1685, but today its ruins exhale history, and thanks to a civic association, there are also great efforts to restore it. You may get here from the village of Háj by following the yellow tourist trail or from Turňa nad Bodvou by following the blue trail.
If you are fascinated by history, you may continue exploring the castles, ruins, and manor houses in the Košice region. For example, you may visit the ruins of the Košice Castle, the impressive Spiš Castle complex, or the beautiful Betliar Manor House and its extensive park.
5. Hájske Vodopády (Háj Waterfalls) and the Angel Statue
If you think you’ve seen it all, prepare for a pleasant surprise. There is a place not far from Košice that looks like something out of a fairy tale, but with an interesting Hollywood touch. Head to the village of Háj, where, in addition to idyllic rural scenery, there is something that will definitely catch your eye.
Imagine cascades of water pouring down from a height of 1 to 7 metres, creating the magical Hájske Vodopády waterfalls. In winter, they turn into a beautiful ice palace with huge icicles. In summer, they are a wonderful place to cool off and recharge your batteries. The path to them leads from the end of the village towards Hačava. The largest and most visited include the Dolný Hájsky Vodopád waterfall (approx. 5 m), Veľký Hájsky Vodopád waterfall (approx. 7 m) and Horný Hájsky Vodopád waterfall (approx. 5.3 m). There are gazebos, benches, and fire pits near the waterfalls – an ideal place to chill and have a picnic.
But that’s not all. In the village of Háj, you will also find an unusual statue of an angel of enormous dimensions. It is an authentic film prop from the 2001 Hollywood movie “The Other Side of the Tracks,” starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman. You will find it at the back of the cemetery. If you want to experience a piece of film history and immerse yourself in nature, Háj is the right place for you.
And we have a bonus for you that you cannot miss when visiting Košice. It is a place that breathes history and was even home to the Košice executioner.
BONUS: Miklušova Väznica prison and the Executioner’s Apartment – take a peek into the dark past of Košice
For all those who like to delve into the fascinating past, we have a special bonus tip – Miklušova Väznica prison and the Executioner’s Apartment in Košice. These mysterious places, located in the centre of the old town, will reveal the less pleasant but all the more interesting aspects of the history of Košice.
Miklušova Väznica prison was built by joining two Gothic town houses dating from the 13th-14th centuries and served as the town prison from the beginning of the 17th century until 1911. Today, you may visit an exhibition that will take you back to the authentic atmosphere of a prison. You will see a torture chamber with wax figures of the executioner Mikluš and his victims, as well as unique guild monuments, exhibits on the history of the town, trade and crafts, and examples of the furnishings of a town house from the past. Just imagine the life of thieves, vagrants, and other criminals in cells that are now open to the public. And believe us, when the lights go out and you are left down in the basement, you will feel a shiver running down your spine.
Right next to the prison, above the old fortress wall alley, you will find the Executioner’s Apartment. This building, which was once connected to the prison, was the home of the Košice executioner. Today, you can see the original execution swords of Košice executioners, learn about the history of the site through computer visualisations, and get an idea of how executioners lived in the olden days. If you want to delve deeper into history and are not afraid of looking into its darker corners, Mikluš Prison and the Executioner’s Apartment are a must-see.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————
