Those who desire to get to know the new places will enjoy really a stay in the Southeastern Slovakia. The surrounding mountains will offer them a charming background during their never-ending walks. Whether you are more attracted by the nature, or by the splendid towns, you will bring certainly to your homes a lot of impressions and magnificent memories from a stay in this region.  The Southeastern Slovakia is formed by the Východoslovenská nížina (lowland) encircled by the mountains called as Slovenské rudohorie, Slánske a Vihorlatské vrchy. The important part is the Lower Spiš region, which was the ore base of a former Hungary thanks to its mineral wealth. There are four large-area protected areas situated on this territory.  A rich history can be got to know in tour of the castles, chateaus, mansion houses and valuables of the sacral architecture.  

Historical monuments

The most known historical monuments can be found in the second biggest city of Slovakia, and it is Košice. Košice is the first European city received the own coat of arms document. The next primacy is connected with sport. Every year the oldest European marathon called as the International Peace Marathon, is started here on the first October Sunday. The biggest urban conservation area in Slovakia can be found here in the centre of the city. A dominant of which is the Saint Elisabeth Cathedral, the Gothic cathedral with the magnificent main altar consisting of 48 gothic paintings and sculptures. Together with the adjoining Saint Michael Chapel and Urban’s Tower they form a complex of the national cultural monument. A historical building of the National Theatre belongs to the most beautiful ones in the central Europe.  

The Eastern Slovak Museum is also often visited by the tourists, where one of the most valuable treasures of the world, the Gold Treasure of Košice, is exhibited in its underground treasure. It is 2920 coins come from various countries of Europe from various periods, as well as two-kilo weighted gold Renaissance chain. The Slovak Technical Museum in Košice having got the first planetarium in Slovakia is the only one planetarium of its kind in the Slovak Republic. A part of which is also the new Aviation museum near to the airport.

The biggest urban conservation area is just in the historical centre of Košice. A quiet pedestrians’ zone is decorated by the fountain interconnected with the chimes. A park encircling this fountain is a favourite place of relaxation not only for the young people, but also for the elderly people. One of four zoological gardens in Slovakia is the ZOO Košice. It is predominantly focused on the Euro-Asia fauna kept in the space approaching the natural conditions.

From the view of tourism, the attractive place is also the castle with designation Krásna Hôrka. One of the last rulers of this castle had the artistically decorated Art Nouveau mausoleum built here for his wife.  

Nature

There is the most extensive karst area with designation Slovak Karst situated here on the territory of the South-Eastern Slovakia. One of the oldest caves in Slovakia called as Jasov cave can be also found here. It was originated in the rock massif Jasovská skala, which is formed by a pure light grey Mesozoic limestone. The Markušovský skalný hríb is situated in the steep riverside of the Hornád river. On 8 metres high leg consisting of the soft conglomerates, lies 4 metres a wide hat consisting of sandstone. This formation is considered to be the most beautiful of its kind.  

The marvellous places for walking around the nature can be found in the mountain called as Vihorlat, where a gem of the Slovak nature is situated here – a volcanic lake called as Morské oko. It is only a short hop from Košice to Herľany town. This town is famous due to its Herlianský geyser, which squirts spontaneously water up to the height of from 10 up to 15 metres. Eruption of which repeats every from 32 up to 36 hours and it lasts approximately 25 minutes. It is active since the year 1872 and in contrary with other geysers it differs from it with low temperature of water. Thanks to this it is the European unique object and it is declared to be the national natural monument.

Sport activities for everyone

This region is also the favourite destination for summer holiday-makers. A dam Ružín offers the wide opportunities for summer sports. The Zemplínska šírava, or so called the Eastern Slovakia Sea, as it is called with a pleasure by the domestic people, is one of the biggest water areas in Europe. It is 11 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide. Besides the favourable conditions for swimming, it offers the opportunities for fishing, windsurfing, driving on water scooters, but also pleasure cruises by the observation ship. It is really an ideal place for family holiday connected with relaxation and hiking.  

In the year 2006 the Golf Club Alpinka was established near to Košice and the aim of which is to support the golf development in the Eastern Slovakia. 9-holes golf-course is situated in valley called as Čermeľské údolie and it is encircled by the stream called as Čermeľský potok. It is situated only 15 km from Košice city, and it enables to its visitors to get to know also this splendid historical city.

Cycling

In this region, eight cycling routes can be found here, which are especially situated in the protected zone of the national park Slovenský raj. The blue route leads through Mlynky, Hajdová lúka to Biele Vody, the green route leads from Novoveská Huta to Hajdová lúka, and from Spišská Nová Ves to Košiarny briežok. Sections of yellow route leads from Spišská Nová Ves to Košiarny briežok, from Smižianska Maša to the crossroads over it and from Dobšinská Maša to Vodniarky. There are also non-marked routes situated here, for example, Stratený kaňon and footpath from Podlesok through Kopanec to Dobšinská Ice Cave with the total length of 24 kilometres.

If you decided to visit the southeastern Slovakia by air, we offer you to buy flight tickets thanks to our partner Danube Wings. For further explore the beauty of southeastern Slovakia, you can try car rental from our partner Avis. If you are interested in southeastern Slovakia, with our partner we offer you acommodation in Slovakia, where every visitor will be satisfied.