Košice
From Wikitravel
Contents
Košice [1] (pronounced Ko-shi-tse) is the second largest city in Slovakia, with a population of over 250,000.
[edit] Understand
The area around Košice 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.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
You can fly to Košice from Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Dublin, London (Luton airport) and since 30 June 2008 also from Manchester and Split. Košice's small airport is served by Sky Europe [2] 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. Sky Europe can be incredibly inexpensive. CSA [3] also fly to Prague, while Austrian Airlines [4] fly to Vienna.
[edit] By train
Košice is a large train hub, with numerous services to Bratislava, Prague, east to Ukraine, north to Poland and south to Hungary.
[edit] By bus
Given the efficiency and value of the train system, you shouldn't need to use the bus system very much. Eurolines [5] coaches come to here from numerous European cities, and bus is the the most efficient way of reaching the nearby town of Levoca.
[edit] Get around
Košice 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.
[edit][add listing] See
Most of Košice's attractions are along the main pedestrianized street, known as Hlavná ulica, Námestie Maratónu Mieru, and Námestie Osloboditeľov 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.
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit] Learn
[edit] Work
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
- The restaurant at Hotel REO in Sebastovce (see "Sleep") has good service and great local food and wines.
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range
[edit] Splurge
[edit][add listing] 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, Alžbetina 55 (vo dvore), open from 2pm to 10pm. Literally hundreds of teas to chose from, and friendly staff to help you chose. [6] Very special ambiance, with several sitting corners, games... A great place to hide from the rain or have a peaceful moment.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Domov Mládeže [7], Medická 2 (Walk west along Poštová and Vojenská 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, [8]. (3km from the center of town, next to the road from Košice 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.
