Cheap flights to Košice from GBP16*

Košice, Slovakia’s second-largest city, is one of those underrated places in Europe that has not yet made it onto the mainstream tourist map. The keyword here is ‘yet’. Selected as European Capital of Culture in 2013, the lively university town in eastern Slovakia has blossomed into a modern cultural powerhouse over the past decade, whilst upping its game both on the culinary and nightlife fronts – and people are taking notice. Its compact old town is a real stunner, on a par with the best in the region, with Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau treasures wherever you look. Go for a stroll on its main thoroughfare, Hlavná Street, visit the country’s largest Gothic cathedral and relax by the city’s singing fountain or on one of its countless outdoor terraces. And in case you need another reason to book a flight to Košice, there’s plenty to see and do outside the city boundaries, too.

 

An off-the-beaten-path city break

History buffs will certainly not be disappointed. The past permeates every inch of this small city, boasting the largest concentration of historic monuments in the entire country, with some excellent museums thrown in. Sitting on the Hornád river, Košice was the very first European city to receive its own coat of arms back in 1369. Soon it grew into the Hungarian Kingdom’s second-largest urban centre and a thriving merchant’s hub thanks to its strategic position on an international trade route in-between Buda to the southwest and Polish territories to the north, and its proximity to gold, silver and copper mining regions. The town has had its fair share of twists and turns over the centuries, having served as a stronghold against the Ottoman Turks as well as the base of Francis II Rákóczi’s War of Independence, a failed Hungarian attempt to break away from the Habsburgs. In more recent history, Košice was passed back and forth between Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and became part of Slovakia following Czechoslovakia’s amicable divorce in 1993.

 

The country's largest concentration of historic monuments

Košice’s historic heart is centred around its main drag, Hlavná, a kilometre-long treasure trove of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, and charming parks. Its pièce de résistance, Hlavné námestie (meaning ‘main square’), is an extravaganza of architectural opulence, flower gardens and splashy fountains. You can spend a good few hours taking in the square’s many wonders, moseying around its pretty side streets or sipping coffee on one of its sunny terraces. Start with visiting the 14th-century Cathedral of St Elisabeth, the country’s biggest church, which dominates the plaza. Check out its medieval altars, rare double-spiral staircase and stained-glass windows, then climb its 60-metre-high tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. St Michael's Chapel, right next door, is another Gothic gem worth a peek inside. Don’t leave the main square without catching the hourly chimes of the singing fountain in its very centre, overlooked by the beautifully restored Neo-Baroque State Theatre and illuminated in many colours after the sun sets. Love all things arts? Stop by the East Slovak Gallery, housed in the former County Hall, featuring an impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century masterpieces, worthy of its stunning surroundings, plus intriguing temporary exhibitions. If you’d like to dig deeper into the region’s cultural and natural heritage, pop into the East Slovak Museum, spread across two buildings, with exhibits including woodcarvings and jewellery, Gothic art and ornate 18th-century furniture. Or venture below the surface at the Lower Gate Underground Museum, one of the city’s newer attractions. The subterranean maze provides a glimpse into the city’s original defence chambers and fortification system, dating back to the 13th to 15th centuries, which were discovered in 1996 during construction work around Hlavná.

 

A thriving dining and coffee scene

Traditional Slovakian cuisine is comforting and fuss-free, with a strong emphasis on pork, potatoes, cabbage and dairy products. Must-try local favourites include the cheesy national dish called bryndzové halušky (gnocchi-like potato dumplings, smothered in sheep's cheese and sprinkled with crispy bacon) as well as pirohy (boiled dumplings, stuffed generously with cheese, meat or mushrooms) and kapustnica (cabbage soup with smoked ham or sausages). To taste bryndzové halušky, stop by Haluškáreň on the main square, serving savoury and sweet dumpling dishes in an unpretentious setting. Med Malina, a cosy Slovakian-Polish restaurant nearby, is also a great choice for traditional Slovak fare – the locals swear by its stewed sauerkraut. Košice’s dining scene has come a long way in recent years, with its culinary palette expanding and diversifying at a remarkable pace. If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket and cosmopolitan, give the popular Le Colonial Restaurant a go. Or try Pán Ryba, the city’s best fish restaurant, featuring an ambitious menu with inspirations spanning the globe. Fancy something healthy? Head to Dobré Bistro, cooking up international flavours from locally sourced ingredients and serving it with a dose of chill. Where to get your caffeine kick? Good coffee is never far away in Košice, fast becoming the café capital of Slovakia. Headliners in the Old Town include the stylish Café Slávia in a turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau building, Clematis Coffee and Tea Shop, offering a mind-boggling variety of drinks from all around the world.

 

Plenty of shopping and nightlife

There is no lack of nightlife options in the historic centre, ranging from laid-back cafés and intimate wine bars to lively craft beer pubs. Looking to round off the day with some local brew? How does Slovakia’s oldest brewery-restaurant sound? We can’t verify the truth of this claim but Pivovar Hostinec, housed in Košice’s longest standing secular building, dating back to 1542, certainly pours some of the finest beer in town. Or visit Dobré Časy, a cavernous beer hall, offering a huge selection of Slovak and Czech specialities on tap, plus bottled beers from all over the globe. For a taste of the Mediterranean, Enoteca Centro is the place to go. The Italian-inspired wine bar is bound to wow you with its extensive wine list, flavoursome aperitivi and knowledgeable staff. Searching for something special to take home from your holiday? Look no further than Hrnčiarska Street (aka Crafts Lane), just off the main drag. The quaint, cobbled lane is a true shopper’s paradise, packed with traditional workshops and bite-sized art studios, selling everything from painted pottery to fine leather bags, aromatic herbs to precious stones. Wind down at one of the street’s quirky coffee shops and if you’re lucky, you might even catch an artist working on their latest piece nearby. Want to stock up on local wine? Choose from Villa Cassa’s sizeable collection: this shop-cum-bar in the city centre stores as many as 800 bottles on its shelves, both from local and international producers. Happy tasting!

 

An ideal base for day trips

In Košice, you don’t need to leave the city for a breath of fresh air. In the mood for some flower power? The tranquil Botanical Garden, complete with tropical greenhouses, is home to over 4,000 plant species, including 1,200 cacti. Be sure to set aside a couple of hours to do the place justice. Or jump on a bus and visit Košice Zoo, the largest in Slovakia and one of the biggest in Europe, housing 1,500 animals of some 300 species, mainly from Europe and Asia. You can also go on a safari ride, book an early morning guided tour, or even spend the night here in a tent, listening to the roars of the tigers. If you have time, there’s also a summer toboggan track nearby that will get your adrenaline pumping. Košice makes a great springboard for exploring the surrounding regions, too. For starters, Bardejov, a UNESCO-protected jewellery box of a town, is just an hour’s drive to the north. Embraced by medieval walls and filled with Gothic spires and pointy rooftops, it is a magical place to soak up the spirit of times gone by. Want to see where the world-famous Tokaj wine is made? Located within easy reach to the south, the Tokaj region is a foodie and wine lover’s paradise, with charming villages, rolling vineyards and friendly folks. There are also lots of things to do here that don’t involve the famous local vino: go paddling on the Bodrog river, jump on a bike and follow one of the signposted cycle routes, or just take a lovely walk. Speaking of which: the Slovak Paradise National Park (Slovenský Raj) and the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry) are both within two hours by train if you fancy something a bit more strenuous.

 

Košice Airport

Košice International Airport, the gateway to eastern Slovakia, is a small international airport, located 6 kilometres to the south of Košice city centre. It has two modern, easy-to-navigate terminals, complete with restaurants, shops and a resting area. How to get to and from the airport? Bus no. 23 links Košice Airport with the city centre as well as the main train and bus stations. The journey usually takes about 20 minutes.

Weather in Košice

The climate in Košice is continental, with mild springs and autumns, hot, humid summers and frosty winters. The hottest months are July and August, with temperatures hovering in the 30s, while winters often see snow and cold winds. The best time to visit is from late April to early October.

FAQs for booking flights to Košice

How to get cheap flights to to Košice?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Košice flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Košice?

The period between May and September is the best time to visit Košice. During these months, you can expect the average temperature to reach up to 21°C, with fewer chances of rain, especially in September, when it only rains 11% of the time. October sees cooling weather, with the average temperature around 9°C in the early evening and about four rainy days, but the conditions are still pleasant. However, remember that the peak tourist months are from May to August, so it is a good idea to pre-book accommodation and flights to avoid higher prices.

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