Christmas in Košice – enjoy perfect Christmas atmosphere in the most beautiful city in Slovakia
That’s right, Christmas has already come even to the most beautiful city in Slovakia – Košice. And made this city even nicer as it was before. Christmas trees, beautiful lighting decoration, sweet aroma of hot wine, Christmas punch or local mead, baked sausages and chestnuts and the rich cultural program.
The atmosphere is really lively and lovely. While strolling the streets I heard English, German, Russian as well as other languages that I was not able to recognize. But the most people here were locals which is a guarantee of enjoying the real local atmosphere.
Christmas in Košice
To visit Košice check Wizzair lowcost airlines that offers direct regular flights from Milan (Bergamo) (not anymore), Bristol, London Luton and Doncaster/Sheffield. Or you can come by train from Budapest, Prague or Bratislava (check regiojet.cz luxury but cheap trains).
Christmas in Košice
Thousands of visitors from Košice and its surroundings fill Hlavná street every day to enjoy Christmas time along with tasting some of the most popular drinks here which are without a doubt Christmas punch, hot mead or hot wine.
There are lots of stalls with home made products and crafts as well. You can donate to the schools or other non profit organization by buying a Christmas punch at some of the official city’s stalls.
Christmas in Košice
It seems that every year it is nicer and nicer here and a perfect program is already its necessary part. The main Christmas tree is 20 meters high this year and is well decorated by hundreds of lights. The Cathedral is lighted and all the fountains around have also some lighting decoration.
Christmas in Košice from above, Slovakia by Fotosulovsky / fotosulovsky.sk (photo published with author’s prior permission)
The only thing that is still missing and highly awaited here is the snow cover, but hopefully this will change later as the Christmas markets will be waiting for you (and for the snow) until December 23.
Christmas crib is made of wood, but it comes alive every Sunday from 16:00 to 16:30 (don’t miss it!)
Christmas in Košice
Ice sculptures in Kosice
Eight tons of ice blocks, four artists from Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia have arrived to Košice last Friday to create eight big ice sculptures. Over the years Ice sculptures in Košice has become one of the most popular event during Christmas time.
A fabulous Christmas is a theme for this year. All sculptures are illuminated and are really very nice! However the weather is not very good and the temperatures are above freezing point. If you don’t want to miss seeing these wonderful ice sculptures you should come to Košice immediately!
Ice sculpture, Christmas in Košice
There are lot of things to do in Košice so you will never be bored here. We have ZOO, Botanical gardens, ski slopes in the hills around the city, lots of sights in the old town center, galleries, museums…
If you have ever thought about visiting Košice, now is the best time to do so. You won’t be disappointed!
More pictures from Christmas in Košice
Angry bird, Ice sculptures in Košice
Angel, Ice sculptures in Košice
Olaf, Ice sculptures in Košice
Košice – city of sport 2016, Ice sculpture
Christmas in Košice, Slovakia
Christmas markets
Refreshment
Ice sculptures
Seat, Ice sculptures in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
Christmas in Košice
A comment ? Write there !
Divina CA Le 22/12/2015 à 12h22
Wow! Such an amazing Christmas decor – love the snow flakes lights 🙂
Elaine J. Masters Le 21/12/2015 à 7h41
What lovely holiday decorations. I had no idea that there were so many light displays, or ice sculptures (beautifully lit too.) I hope to get to Slovakia within two years.
Christa Le 21/12/2015 à 7h15
I’m so very jealous of the beautiful Christmas markets in Europe! America has nothing that compares to those markets. I really need to visit soon!
eden Le 21/12/2015 à 4h24
Wow, it looks absolutely beautiful there! I would love to check out those ice sculptures someday, they look incredible. Great photos 🙂
Alexandrea Le 21/12/2015 à 3h30
Love that first night photo with all the lights of the city, so pretty!
Nic from Roaming Renegades Le 21/12/2015 à 1h36
Stunning photos, we absolutely loved Slovakia this year and although we only really saw the capital and the surroundings we would love to see more and imagine it to be lovely at Christmas too.
Julius Szabo Le 21/12/2015 à 2h49
There are much better places to visit in Slovakia than its capital! Next time try to visit some National Parks here and mainly in eastern Slovakia.
Carol Colborn Le 19/12/2015 à 18h56
Wow, what a beautiful Christmas one can have in this town of Kosice! Your pictures make the holiday atmosphere come alive. Thanks!
Claudia Le 19/12/2015 à 11h14
I am not a fan of Christmas (for a number of reasons) but I must admit that your pictures made me reconsider! Unfortunately there are no flights to Slovakia from where I live and it would end up very expensive for me to travel there 🙁
Sarah Le 18/12/2015 à 6h35
How beautiful! I love seeing how the holidays dress up the entire world! It’s like we are all united in celebrating! Beautiful pictures!
Julius Szabo Le 18/12/2015 à 13h18
Well, yes, such a lighting and Christmas celebrating with presents came to Europe and probably to other corners of the world from USA in the early 20th century. So this is why it looks so similar and united. I think that the difference is only in the local products you can buy on each Christmas markets. 🙂
Anita Hendrieka Le 18/12/2015 à 5h08
This looks beautiful! I miss Christmas in the cold (I’m from NZ). We just don’t celebrate as big as everyone else 🙁
Julius Szabo Le 18/12/2015 à 13h13
That’s true Anita, Christmas with snow is much better than Christmas during the summer, I suppose (although I would like to see Christmas in summer as well, I have never seen it). But… today the “cold” in Europe is not like it used to be here in the past. So the snow is still missing…
Marjorie Le 18/12/2015 à 4h31
Wow, just look at that view from the top of Košice, amazing! Christmas is in the air.
Julius Szabo Le 18/12/2015 à 13h24
Actually the picture of Kosice from the air is definitely unique and one of the best (if not the best at all) photo of Kosice so far.
[email protected] Worker Le 18/12/2015 à 3h35
Beautiful pictures! It’s always so hard to capture the wander of christmas markets but you’ve done a great job 🙂
Marta Le 17/12/2015 à 21h04
This is SO nice! I can’t believe I’ve never been to Slovakia, I definitely should rectify this!!I am looking for a nice European destination for the spring and this post just gave me an idea: I know the lights will be gone but it seems a really cool place no matter the time of the year
Julius Szabo Le 17/12/2015 à 21h15
That’s true, Marta, there are many events throughout the year in the city of Kosice, which can be interesting for you. The city days start the 1st of May which is a great festival in spring time. But Easter is good here as well! Let me know, once you are here, I can show you around! 🙂
Milosz Zak Le 17/12/2015 à 20h19
The majority of Czechs are self-professed atheists, Slovaks a lot less so, so it is nice to see some of the holiday traditions are being preserved even if most of the rituals are pagan, and very much linked with Roman cults.
Julius Szabo Le 17/12/2015 à 21h18
That’s true, Milosz! I absolutely agree with you! It is good to have some holiday traditions, however I suppose that when the tradition is religious one, it shouldn’t be transferred to business.
Svet Dimitrov Le 17/12/2015 à 17h05
Wow, amazing place indeed! I have only visited Bratislava, but I am sure Košice is even more beautiful. Any ideas how I can get there from Bulgaria in the cheapest way? 🙂
Julius Szabo Le 17/12/2015 à 17h22
Good but very easy question, Svet! The answer is Wizzair!
25.2.2016 Sofia -> Milan/Bergamo: 6:40-7:45 for 15,-euro
26.2.2016 Milan/Bergamo -> Kosice: 21:25-23:10 for 8,-euro
You will need to spend a night in Bergamo, which is great because it is amazing city! Do not go to Milan, but rather make a tour around Bergamo!
And then back
29.2.2016 Kosice -> Milan/Bergamo: 19:05 – 20:55 for 8,-euro
1.3.2016 Milan/Bergamo -> Sofia: 8:15 – 11:15 for 20,-euro
Now you can visit also Milan 🙂
I checked the prices now.
So three amazing cities in one trip! 🙂
Svet Dimitrov Le 17/12/2015 à 17h26
Wow, great, thank you! I will definitely consider that. I have been to Bergamo actually and I absolutely loved it! It is much better than Milan :)))
Julius Szabo Le 17/12/2015 à 17h33
Milan is also amazing city, but I prefer smaller ones! They have different atmosphere. 🙂
Svet Dimitrov Le 17/12/2015 à 17h37
I completely agree with you. Every city has its one-of-a-kind charm 🙂
Julius Szabo Le 03/01/2016 à 21h33
Wizzair cancelled all flights between Milan and Kosice 🙁 so you will need to find another way…
Svet Dimitrov Le 04/01/2016 à 0h37
Oh, okay, thank you very much for this info and the time to share it! Much appreciated.
Mark Williams Le 17/12/2015 à 11h24
Beautiful pics and Wizz Air is a great choice for getting to and from these amazing places.