'''Ko?ice''' [http://www.kosice.sk/] (pronounced Ko-shi-tse) is the second largest city in Slovakia, with a population of over 250,000.

Understand

The area around Ko?ice has been inhabited since the 8th century, but it was in the 13th century that it developed into a town. It grew rich during the Middle Ages due to its strategic position as a trading center. Having briefly served as the capital of the liberated Czechoslovakia after World War II, it is now finding a new role as one of the easternmost cities of the new European Union. It has a beautiful historic city center, with an enormous cathedral and a stunningly rejuvenated central square.

Get in

By plane

You can fly to Ko?ice from Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Dublin, London (Luton airport) and since 30 June 2008 also from Manchester and Split. Ko?ice's small airport is served by SkyEurope Airlines [http://www.skyeurope.com/] directly to Dublin, London, Prague, Bratislava and to Manchester and Split (since 30 June 2008), besides, there is an opportunity to fly to several other European destinations through Bratislava. SkyEurope can be incredibly inexpensive. CSA [http://www.csa.cz/] also fly to Prague, while Austrian Airlines [http://www.aua.com/] fly to Vienna.

By train

Ko?ice is a large train hub, with numerous services to Bratislava, Prague, east to Ukraine, north to Poland and south to Hungary.

By bus

Given the efficiency and value of the train system, you shouldn't need to use the bus system very much. Eurolines [http://www.eurolines.com/] coaches come to here from numerous European cities, and bus is the the most efficient way of reaching the nearby town of Levoca.

Get around

Ko?ice has a small and compact city center, and is mostly navigable by foot. If you are staying the suburbs, the tram system is cheap and efficient.

See

Most of Ko?ice's attractions are along the main pedestrianized street, known as '''Hlavna ulica''', '''Namestie Maratonu Mieru''', and '''Namestie Oslobodite?ov''' at various parts. Here you can also find the '''East Slovak Museum''', '''East Slovak Gallery''', '''Slovak Technical Museum''' and the '''Archeological Excavations'''. Other museums are the '''Aviation Museum''' and '''Loeffler Museum''' dedicated to Loeffler's own artistic works as well folk pottery.

Do

Nothing to see here, moving on...

Work

Buy

Eat

  • The restaurant at '''Hotel REO''' in Sebastovce (see "Sleep") has good service and great local food and wines.
  • Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Drink

  • '''Khoi Khoi''', Dominikanske namestie 35. The "Voice of different culture", it is an alternative hang-out, very close to similar bars.
  • '''Amana tea house''', Al?betina 55 (vo dvore), open from 2pm to 10pm. Literally hundreds of teas to chose from, and friendly staff to help you chose. [http://amana108.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/hello-world/] Very special ambiance, with several sitting corners, games... A great place to hide from the rain or have a peaceful moment.
  • '''Golem''', Dominikanske namestie. Nice pub and restaurant with great atmosphere. They brew their own beer. [http://www.pivovar-golem.sk/eng/index2.html]
  • Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Domov Mlade?e''' [http://www.dmke.sk/news.php], Medicka 2 (''Walk west along Po?tova and Vojenska until the road turns sharply to the right. Straight ahead you'll see a flight of stairs. The hostel is the big, colorful, apartment-style building to the left.'') This is a Student Hostel to the west of town with very limited beds in June. Beds are 280 Sk a night (2 or 3 beds in each small room) with shared toilet and shower. Doors to rooms have glass windows so privacy is limited. Also no one speaks English there.
  • '''Hotel REO''', in Sebastovce, [http://www.hotelreo.sk]. (''3km from the center of town, next to the road from Ko?ice to the border with Hungary'') With its 10 rooms, including two apartments, you can have your bed from 1350 Skk per night and this price includes a "king breakfast" too.
  • Mid-range

    Splurge

    Contact

    Stay safe

    Cope

    Get out