Nature & Scenic in Košice

Sprawling across 292 hectares in Košice’s Kavečany district, the zoo is a remarkable sanctuary for over 2,100 animals representing around 350 species. As Slovakia’s largest zoo—and one of Europe's—this expansive haven is home to rare species like Siberian wapiti, Chinese leopards, and giant condors. Visitors can explore the Carpathian Biom, enjoy interactive trails, and marvel at the largest bear enclosure in Central Europe, making it a lively destination for nature lovers and curious explorers alike.

The botanical garden of UPJŠ in Košice is Slovakia’s largest and most diverse of its kind, sprawling across 30 hectares at the city’s northern edge. Established in 1950, it hosts nearly 4,000 plant species, including tropical and subtropical varieties, cacti, orchids, and carnivorous plants. The garden features impressive greenhouses, an arboretum, and protected plant collections, making it a haven for nature lovers and researchers alike. Recent renovations aim to enhance visitor experience with new facilities and improved access, ensuring this lush oasis remains a highlight of Košice’s cultural landscape.

Flowing gently through eastern Slovakia, Myslavský potok meanders for nearly 20 kilometers, its waters carving through the Abov region and threading through the districts of Košice. As a tributary to the mighty Hornád River, this serene stream embodies the quiet rhythm of the landscape, a V-order waterway that whispers stories of the land’s natural history.

Flowing across eastern Slovakia, Črmeľ is a modest yet vital tributary of the Hornád River, stretching nearly 16 kilometers through the Košice I district. Its waters ripple through the landscape, nourishing the surrounding greenery and contributing to the region’s hydrological tapestry, quietly shaping the land’s natural rhythm.

Nestled in the heart of Košice’s Staré Mesto district, Mestský park is the city’s largest green oasis—a sprawling patch of nature that whispers stories of local life and leisure. Surrounded by the charming streets of Staničné námestie, Štefánikova, Thurzova, and Rumanova, it’s where urban explorers find respite, wander through shaded pathways, and uncover a quiet side of the city’s vibrant soul.