The Košice region belongs to the rocky plateaus and the deep canyons of the Slovak Paradise. You find yourself in a world of ladders and bridges where the water has carved narrow paths through the limestone. This is the land of the underground where massive ice caves stay frozen even in the heat of summer. The roads lead through the Tokaj vineyards of the Košice Region where dark cellars hold golden wine.
The Košice Region landscape is a patchwork of gothic ruins and baroque manor houses. You can explore the Krasna Hôrka castle or walk through the gardens of Betliar where exotic trees grow in the central woods. The city of Kosice serves as a hub of energy with its massive gothic cathedral. A destination of color and light where the east meets the natural wonders of the south.
The eastern plains of this region open up near the Zemplin reservoir where the water looks like a sea. You can visit the bird sanctuaries of the Senne marshes or explore the quiet border towns. The Košice region is a blend of rugged adventure and refined culture. It's a surprising and diverse journey through the warmest part of the country.
Košice (region) highlights
- Slovak Paradise Gorges A world of ladders and bridges that lead you through narrow canyons and past roaring waterfalls. This is the ultimate adventure park for hikers who enjoy a challenge in a lush green environment.
- Tokaj Wine Region The eastern corner of the country where the sunshine and volcanic soil create sweet golden wines. You can visit deep cellars carved into the rock and climb an observation tower shaped like a wine barrel.
- Zadiel Gorge A massive limestone canyon with 300 meter high walls and a unique rock tower called the Sugar Loaf. You can drive to the entrance and walk the flat path through the heart of the canyon.
- Dobsinska Ice Cave One of the most famous ice caves in the world where the temperature stays below freezing all year. The massive blocks of ice and frozen waterfalls are a spectacular sight hidden deep underground.
- Herlany Geyser A rare cold water geyser that erupts every 36 hours reaching heights of up to 20 meters. It is one of the few of its kind in Europe and is a unique natural spectacle to time your visit for.
- Betliar Manor House A luxurious hunting lodge surrounded by a massive park with exotic trees and hidden pavilions. The interior is perfectly preserved with the original books and trophies of the Andrassy family.
- Jasov Monastery A stunning baroque complex with a large garden and a nearby cave that is one of the oldest in the region. The library inside the monastery holds thousands of ancient and rare volumes.
- Krasna Horka Castle A dominant fortress that has watched over the Gemer region for centuries. While currently under renovation the view from the road and the surrounding hills is still one of the most iconic in the east.
- Sivec Peak A rocky summit that offers the best view over the Ruzin reservoir and the surrounding forested hills. It is a local favorite for a quick hike to see the winding blue water from above.
- Gothic Route Churches A trail of small village churches that hide incredible medieval frescoes painted by Italian masters. These hidden gems like the ones in Stitnik and Ochtina are quiet treasures of European art.
The local Four
History of Košice (region)
The Košice region is a landscape of underground wonders and sunny vineyards where the history of the east has always been vibrant and diverse. For centuries it acted as the eastern gateway to the Hungarian Kingdom serving as a hub for artists inventors and royalty. While the main town was the first in Europe to be granted its own coat of arms the true story lies in the surrounding rocky plateaus and deep limestone canyons.
The southern hills are home to the Tokaj vineyards where the world was first introduced to sweet golden wines. This area was so important that kings and tsars bought entire estates to ensure their cellars were never empty. To the north the rugged terrain of the Slovak Paradise forced people to build complex systems of ladders and bridges to navigate the deep gorges and frozen ice caves.
Family dynasties like the Andrassys shaped the land by building grand manor houses and stocking them with treasures from their global travels. These estates were surrounded by exotic parks that stood in stark contrast to the raw and rocky landscape of the Karst. It is a land of contrasts where the warmth of the sun on the vineyards meets the permanent ice of the caves.