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Prešov is the third-largest city in Slovakia, yet most foreign visitors only pass through on their way between Košice and the Tatras. Locals proudly call it the metropolis of the Šariš region, and it has earned the name: a long, lively main street with two cathedrals, a Renaissance palace, wine cellars under the town hall, a historic salt works and a beach resort in the middle of eastern Slovakia. And within half an hour you can stand on top of a castle hill or walk through the only opal mines in Europe.
In a nutshell: Prešov is a relaxed eastern Slovak city just 35 km north of Košice. An afternoon is enough for the historic centre around Hlavná Street (two cathedrals, the Rákóczi Palace, the town hall with its wine cellars, the synagogue). Add 1–2 days for the Solivar salt works, Šariš and Kapušany castles, the opal mines, the Zlá Diera cave and the thermal aquapark in Lipany.
If you want to buy Slovak gifts or useful Slovak products, you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
Here is a list of places worth visiting directly in Prešov and in its surroundings:
| # | Place | Where | Time needed | Adult ticket | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hlavná Street & Neptune’s Fountain | city centre | 1–2 h | free | map |
| 2 | Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas | city centre | 45 min (+ tower) | free; tower €2 (summer) | map |
| 3 | Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist | city centre | 30 min | free | map |
| 4 | Rákóczi Palace – Regional Museum | city centre | 1.5–2 h | from €2 | map |
| 5 | Town Hall | city centre | 15 min | free (exterior) | map |
| 6 | Wine Museum | under the Town Hall | 1–2 h | tour & tasting – book ahead | map |
| 7 | Caraffa Prison – City Gallery | city centre | 30–45 min | €2 | map |
| 8 | Orthodox Synagogue & Bárkány Judaica Collection | edge of the centre | 1 h | check before visiting | map |
| 9 | Prešov Calvary (Kalvária) | western edge of the city | 1 h | free | map |
| 10 | Solivar – Historic Salt Works | Solivar district, approx. 4.4 km | 2 h | €10 (museum) | map |
| 11 | Plaza Beach Solivar (summer only) | Solivar district, approx. 4 km | whole day | see price list | map |
| 12 | Furča – Peasant Uprising Monument | approx. 5.5 km | 1–2 h | free | map |
| 13 | Šariš Castle | approx. 9.6 km | half a day | €3 (+ €2 tower) | map |
| 14 | Kapušany Castle | approx. 10.8 km | half a day | free | map |
| 15 | Slovak Opal Mines Dubník | approx. 23.8 km | half a day | approx. €12 | map |
| 16 | Zlá Diera Cave | approx. 28.3 km | 2 h (with the forest walk) | see price list | map |
| 17 | Thermal Aquapark Lipany | approx. 30.6 km | whole day | €26 (full day) | map |
With the best places laid out, we will go through each of them separately and add useful tips on how to enjoy your trip to Prešov to the fullest.
Facts and History of Prešov
| Region | Prešov Region, north-eastern Slovakia (its capital) |
| Population | over 80,000 – the third-largest city in Slovakia |
| First written mention | 1247 |
| Nickname | the metropolis of Šariš; people from Prešov are jokingly called koňare (horse keepers) |
| Distance | approx. 35 km from Košice, 407 km from Bratislava |
| Location on the map | Open in Mapy.com |
The first written mention of Prešov comes from 7 November 1247, in a document in which the Cistercian monks complained about the German settlers – the “guests” – of Prešov.
The name most likely comes from an old Slavic personal name, Preš. The strawberries in the town’s coat of arms gave Prešov its Latin nickname Fragopolis (“strawberry town”), but that name is a later invention, not the origin of the name.
Thanks to trade, crafts and wine, Prešov became one of the richest towns in the region, and its main street is still lined with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses. The town also lived through dark moments: in 1687, during the anti-Habsburg uprisings, the imperial general Antonio Caraffa had 24 nobles and burghers executed here – an event remembered as the Prešov Slaughterhouse. In 1919, the short-lived Slovak Soviet Republic was proclaimed from the balcony of the town hall.
Today Prešov is a university city and an important religious centre: it is the seat of the Greek Catholic archbishop-metropolitan of Slovakia and of the primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. And the nickname koňare? It goes back to the state stud farm that was founded in Prešov in 1859.
Useful links:
- Official website of the city – presov.sk
- Tourism in the Šariš region – regionsaris.sk
- Local public transport – imhd.sk
Is Prešov Worth Visiting and Is It Safe?
Yes. If you want to feel the true temperament of eastern Slovakia, go to Prešov. People here are open and talkative, traditions are alive, and the city mixes history with everyday life – students, families and pensioners all meet on Hlavná Street.
Most sights are within a short walk of each other, so the city is easy to explore on foot, and it is a good base for castles, the salt works and the opal mines nearby. As for safety, Prešov – like the rest of Slovakia – is a safe place to visit, whether you travel alone, as a couple or with a family. Wondering about costs? Read Is Slovakia expensive to visit?.
Walk the highlights: The historic centre is compact and flat, so the best way to explore it is on foot. This route starts at the Orthodox synagogue just outside the old walls, continues along Hlavná Street and ends at the Greek Catholic cathedral. The whole route is about 1.4 km and takes roughly 23 min of walking, plus time for the visits. Open the walking route in Mapy.com
Route: Orthodox Synagogue → Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas → Rákóczi Palace (Regional Museum) → Neptune’s Fountain → Town Hall and Wine Museum → Caraffa Prison → Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
TIP: Check out my list of recommended Slovak products. They are perfect as gifts, or you will use them during your visit to Slovakia (Amazon links)
- Slovakia Flag
- The book about Slovak History
- Slovak Travel Guide
- Slovakia Adventure Map (by National Geographic)
- T-shirt with Slovakia Flag
- Slovakia Shot Glass
- Legendary Horalky Biscuit (Original)
What to See and Do in Prešov
Now let’s take a closer look at each place from the list above. At the start of each one, you will find a short overview of practical information.
1. Hlavná Street & Neptune’s Fountain
| Time needed | 1–2 hours (more with coffee breaks) |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free |
| Map | Hlavná Street | Neptune’s Fountain |
Hlavná ulica (Main Street) is the heart of Prešov. It is not a classic square but a long, gently curved street that widens in the middle, with parks, fountains and the Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas in its centre. Both sides are lined with colourful burgher houses in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style, and almost every place in the first part of this article is on this street or just a few steps from it.
In the southern park stands Neptune’s Fountain. The statue of the sea god was completed in 1826 by the sculptor Vincent Staviarsky, and the fountain stands over a former town water cistern. In summer, the parks are full of people, and Hlavná Street is also the main stage of the city – the Prešov City Days and the Christmas market take place here.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| To be honest, the centre of Prešov is not as pretty as the centres of some other big Slovak cities – but if you are in Prešov, it is definitely worth a stop. This applies to the whole centre: connect all the places from Hlavná Street to the synagogue (numbers 1–8 on this list) into one walk – the walking route above does exactly that – and one afternoon will be enough. |
2. Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas
| Time needed | about 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes for the tower |
| Physical difficulty | easy; tower moderate (200+ steps) |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | church free; tower usually open in the summer season (€2 in 2025) |
| Official website | presov.rimkat.sk |
| Map | Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas |
The Gothic Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas is the oldest and most important historic building in Prešov. Construction of today’s three-nave hall church began in the 1340s on the foundations of an older 13th-century church, and its late Gothic form dates from a reconstruction in 1502–1515. D
uring the Reformation, the church belonged to the Lutherans several times – for the last time during the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi in 1705–1711. Since then, it has been Roman Catholic.
Inside, look for the statue of the Suffering Christ attributed to Master Paul of Levoča, the famous wood-carver who made the tallest wooden Gothic altar in the world, and for the large organ on the western choir from 1634 – it is almost 400 years old and still sounds during masses and concerts.
The church tower, about 70 m high, is usually open in the summer season. More than 200 steps lead to a view over the whole of Hlavná Street.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| For me, this is the most beautiful monument in the centre of Prešov. The decoration of the church is stunning, including the main altar. And as always, my advice is: if the tower is open, climb it. The view from up there is unique – not only over the centre of Prešov, but far into the surroundings, including the castles around the city (you will find two of them later in this article). |
3. Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
| Time needed | about 30 minutes |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free (visit outside services) |
| Map | Cathedral of St. John the Baptist |
At the southern end of Hlavná Street stands the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the main church of Greek Catholics in Slovakia and, since 2008, the seat of their archbishop-metropolitan.
Its history is a small lesson in the history of the region: work on a hospital church began here in 1429, during the Reformation it served the Slovak Protestants, in 1673 it was given to the Minorite friars, who rebuilt it in the Baroque style, and in 1818 it passed to the Greek Catholics. In the 1950s, when the communist regime banned the Greek Catholic Church, it was handed to the Orthodox Church and returned only in 1968.
Inside you will find four large ceiling frescoes from 1757 with scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. In the north chapel rest the remains of Blessed Pavol Peter Gojdič, the Greek Catholic bishop who died in a communist prison and was beatified in 2001.
Since 2003, the cathedral has also kept one of four official copies of the Shroud of Turin. If you are interested in how the Christian churches in Slovakia differ, read our article about religions in Slovakia.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| A very important place for Greek Catholics in Slovakia – and still a living church, not just a monument. The decoration is beautiful and the atmosphere inside is enchanting. |
4. Rákóczi Palace – Regional Museum
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | from €2 for adults (check current prices) |
| Opening hours | Tue–Fri 9:00–17:00, Sun 14:00–18:00 (Sat only in July and August), closed on Mondays |
| Map | Rákóczi Palace |
The Rákóczi Palace on Hlavná Street is one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in eastern Slovakia. At the end of the 16th century, the Rákóczi family bought two burgher houses here and rebuilt them into a palace with a richly decorated Renaissance attic. Since 1956, it has been the seat of the Regional Museum in Prešov.
The exhibitions take you through the history of Prešov and the Šariš region, the life of local farmers, period furniture, weapons, clocks and the history of firefighting in Slovakia. It is a good first stop if you want to understand the city before you walk around it.
5. Town Hall
| Time needed | about 15 minutes |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free (exterior); the interior opens only during special events |
| Map | Town Hall |
The Town Hall on Hlavná Street has been the seat of the town council for centuries. The building originally served as a burgher house with a town wine tavern; after a fire in 1768 it was rebuilt, and when the work was finished in 1788, it got the balcony that later entered history books. After another great fire in 1887, a second floor was added.
It was from this balcony that the Slovak Soviet Republic was proclaimed on 16 June 1919 – a communist state that lasted only about three weeks. Today the Town Hall is usually admired from outside, but the city opens it to the public during some events, for example during the Prešov City Days.
6. Wine Museum
| Time needed | 1–2 hours (a whole evening with a tasting) |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | adults; children only for the tour |
| Admission | guided tour, tastings at extra cost – book ahead |
| Official website | muzeumvin.sk |
| Map | Wine Museum |
Wine lovers should not miss the cellars under the Town Hall. Around 500 years old, they cover about 500 m² on two underground levels and house the Wine Museum, with the entrance from the side of the town hall, from Floriánova Street. A guide takes you through the history of wine-making and vine-growing, with old presses and tools, and most of the wines on display can be tasted or bought.
The most beautiful room is the tasting hall with oak tables and benches – perfect for a longer evening with friends. The museum has also organised an international wine competition, MUVINA. If you want to know more about Slovak wine before your visit, read our Slovakia wine guide.
7. Caraffa Prison – City Gallery
| Time needed | 30–45 minutes |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | €2 adults, €1 reduced (symbolic) |
| Official website | pkopresov.sk |
| Map | Caraffa Prison |
The late Gothic building on Jarková Street, just behind Hlavná, dates from the early 16th century and is one of the few houses in Prešov that survived from that time. It is a national cultural monument and carries the name of the imperial general Antonio Caraffa. In 1687, his tribunal had 24 nobles and burghers of Prešov tortured and executed for supporting the anti-Habsburg uprising. According to local tradition, one of the torture chambers was in this building.
Later the house served as an armoury and an archive. Since 2012, it has been home to the City Gallery Caraffka, with changing exhibitions of art in rooms with thick medieval walls – a nice contrast.
8. Orthodox Synagogue & Bárkány Judaica Collection
| Time needed | about 1 hour |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | small fee; opening times change – contact the Jewish community before your visit |
| Official website | synagoga-presov.sk |
| Map | Orthodox Synagogue |
The Orthodox synagogue was built in 1897–1898 by the Košice builders Kollacsek & Wirth. From the outside it looks rather simple, but the interior is a surprise – richly painted walls and vaults in an oriental style. The synagogue is still used as a house of prayer and is part of a small complex of Jewish buildings.
Prešov also has a special place in Jewish history: in 1928, the first Jewish museum in Slovakia was founded here. Today, the upper floor of the synagogue houses the Bárkány collection of Judaica, presented as an exhibition of the Museum of Jewish Culture. Since the end of 2024, however, the way the exhibition is run has been changing, so check the opening times before you go.
9. Prešov Calvary (Kalvária)
| Time needed | about 1 hour |
| Physical difficulty | easy to moderate (uphill) |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free |
| Getting there | about 33 min on foot from Hlavná Street |
| Map | Church of the Holy Cross |
On a hill at the western edge of the city lies a beautiful Baroque calvary. It was built from 1720, the Church of the Holy Cross was finished in 1753 and the whole complex was completed only in 1893. Fourteen chapels of the Stations of the Cross, the Holy Stairs and catacombs lead up the slope.
Even if you are not religious, come for the atmosphere and the view – from the top you can see the whole city with the towers of Hlavná Street. It is a quiet place for a walk, especially in the late afternoon.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| The Calvary is a lovely place. If you stay in Prešov a bit longer, it is a pleasant spot for a walk with nice views, especially in the summer months. I like to come here whenever I have some time. |
10. Solivar – Historic Salt Works
| Time needed | about 2 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone, great for kids interested in technology |
| Admission | Solivar museum €10 / €5 reduced, Salt Warehouse €4, salt cave €7 (2026 price list) |
| Opening hours | April–October Tue–Sat 9:00–17:00, November–March Tue–Sat 8:00–16:00; guided tours |
| Official website | muzeumsolivar.sk |
| Map | Leopold Shaft and Horse Winch |
Solivar, today a district of Prešov, was for centuries the most important salt site in the country. Salt was mined here and brine was pumped from deep under the ground and boiled into salt. The historic complex is a national cultural monument and one of the most important technical monuments in Slovakia, managed by the Slovak Technical Museum.
The highlight is the wooden horse-driven winch (gápeľ) above the Leopold shaft, which used to lift the brine in leather bags. On the guided tour you will also see the boiling house František with an exhibition on salt production.
The Baroque Salt Warehouse from 1780 burned down in 1986; after a long restoration, it serves again as a space for exhibitions and events. Salt production in Solivar ended in 2009, so this is your chance to see how the “white gold” was made.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| If you are in Prešov when Solivar is open for tours (check the opening days above – it is closed on Sundays and Mondays), go. It is a unique place with an interesting and gripping history. |
11. Plaza Beach Solivar (summer only)
| Time needed | whole day |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | families, couples, everyone who likes water |
| Season | July–August, daily 9:00–19:00 |
| Admission | see the current price list (a day ticket cost around €20 in 2023) |
| Official website | plazabeach.sk |
| Map | Plaza Beach Solivar |
You don’t have to go to the sea to feel like you are on holiday. Plaza Beach Solivar is a summer aquapark whose architecture was inspired by Antoni Gaudí – curved walls, palm trees and a tower that looks like a lighthouse. There are lagoon pools, a pool for swimming and children’s pools with slides and a rock castle, all heated to about 26–28 °C.
Besides swimming, you can play beach volleyball, tennis and other sports, and the restaurant is open all year round. If you are in Prešov in July or August with kids, this is an easy full-day plan. Looking for warm water outside the summer? Try the thermal aquapark in Lipany (later in this article) or see our list of the best thermal parks in Slovakia.
Places to Visit Around Prešov
Prešov is a great base for half-day trips. These places are all within about half an hour by car and show you the other side of the Šariš region – castles, views, a world-famous gemstone, a cave and thermal water.
12. Furča – Peasant Uprising Monument
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy to moderate |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free |
| Getting there | approx. 5.5 km from the centre, approx. 11 min by car |
| Map | Monument on Furča |
South of Prešov, on Furča hill above the village of Haniska, stands the Monument to the Peasant Uprising. In 1831, a cholera epidemic spread to eastern Slovakia from Zemplín, and frightened peasants, who believed the nobles were poisoning the wells, rose up. The East Slovak peasant uprising – also called the Cholera Uprising – was brutally suppressed and 119 people were executed.
The sandstone monument from 1938 shows a group of seven rebellious peasants. The hill offers a wide panoramic view of Prešov and the surrounding countryside, and it is a popular spot for an easy walk.
13. Šariš Castle
| Time needed | half a day |
| Physical difficulty | moderate – an easy hike of about 1 hour uphill from the car park, no climbing |
| Suitable for | everyone, including families with kids |
| Admission | courtyard €3, Donjon tower €2 (castle price list) |
| Opening hours | May–October Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00; November–April Sat–Sun 10:00–16:00 |
| Official website | hradsaris.sk |
| Getting there | approx. 9.6 km, approx. 16 min by car to Veľký Šariš |
| Map | Šariš Castle |
The ruins of Šariš Castle rise on a distinctive hill above the town of Veľký Šariš, north-west of Prešov. People lived on the hill already in the Neolithic and Bronze Age; the stone castle was built in the middle of the 13th century and was first mentioned in 1262. For centuries, it was the centre of power of the whole Šariš region. In 1660, a gunpowder store exploded and badly damaged the castle, and in 1687 it burned down and was never rebuilt.
Today the castle hill is a National Nature Reserve and the ruins are being gradually restored by the town – the Donjon tower is open as a lookout. From the top you can see far into the Šariš region. Veľký Šariš is also home to the Šariš brewery, whose beer you will find in almost every pub in eastern Slovakia. Want to see more ruins? Check our guide to castles in Slovakia.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| What I find interesting about the castles around Prešov is that you can see one from another. In recent years, the castles of the Šariš region have even been connected by a light signal from the Donjon tower of Šariš Castle during the Night of Castle Ruins in August – from one castle you can see the lights on the others. |
14. Kapušany Castle
| Time needed | half a day |
| Physical difficulty | moderate – a short but steep uphill walk |
| Suitable for | everyone, including families with kids |
| Admission | free (lookout tower – voluntary contribution) |
| Getting there | approx. 10.8 km, approx. 17 min by car, or by train to Kapušany station |
| Map | Kapušany Castle |
The ruins of Kapušany Castle stand on the Zámčisko hill above the village of Kapušany, east of Prešov. The royal castle from the 13th century guarded the important trade route from Prešov to the north. Its last owners were the Kapy family. In 1715, the Hungarian Diet ordered the castle to be destroyed so that it could not become a base for anti-Habsburg rebels, and its owner Eva Gergelaky had to set it on fire herself.
The walk starts at the Kapušany railway station – follow the green trail, cross the Sekčov river and at the last houses of the village a short but steep uphill walk begins. The ruins have been restored in recent years, and the lookout on the castle tower (74 steps) offers a great view of the Slanské Hills, the Sekčov valley and Prešov. In the evening, the castle is often lit up and you can see it from far away.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| This is my favourite castle. It is being nicely restored, so it gets more beautiful every year. Just like Šariš Castle, it has great views – only in the opposite direction. |
15. Slovak Opal Mines Dubník
| Time needed | half a day |
| Physical difficulty | easy (1 km underground) |
| Suitable for | everyone; bring warm clothes |
| Admission | basic tour approx. €12 (2023 price), 4-hour adventure tour €75 (2025, April–October) – check and book online |
| Opening hours | all year; visitor centre July–August 9:00–18:00, otherwise 9:00–16:00; tours take about 1 hour |
| Official website | slovenskeopalovebane.sk |
| Getting there | approx. 23.8 km, approx. 32 min by car via Zlatá Baňa |
| Map | Slovak Opal Mines |
In the Slanské Hills near the village of Červenica lie the Dubník opal mines – until the discoveries in Australia at the end of the 19th century, they were the only known source of precious opal in the world. The most famous stone, the Harlequin, weighing about 600 g, was found here in 1775 and is now kept in the Natural History Museum in Vienna. Another opal from Dubník, called the Burning of Troy, was worn by Empress Joséphine, the wife of Napoleon.
Mining ended in 1922, but the network of corridors is more than 35 km long. The basic tour leads along a 1 km route underground, where the temperature is 6 °C all year round – so take a jacket even in summer. For a real adventure, book the longer tour with helmets and headlamps.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| The world-unique opal mine is a really interesting experience if you stay in Prešov a bit longer (and who knows, maybe you will even find an opal yourself :)). If you want to learn more about opals, here is an excellent article: Opal: The Complete Identification, Value & Rockhounding Guide. |
16. Zlá Diera Cave
| Time needed | about 2 hours (tour approx. 50 minutes + the walk) |
| Physical difficulty | easy (basic route); a harder caving route is also offered |
| Suitable for | everyone, great for kids |
| Season | 1 April – 15 November |
| Admission | see the price list on the official website |
| Official website | zladiera.sk |
| Getting there | approx. 28.3 km, approx. 26 min by car to Lipovce, then about 1 km on foot through the forest |
| Map | Zlá Diera Cave |
Zlá Diera (the “Evil Hole”) near the village of Lipovce is the only cave open to visitors in the area around Prešov. You cannot drive up to it – leave the car at the car park and walk about 1 km along an easy forest path to the entrance.
This is not a show cave with electric lights. The cave has no electricity, so you get overalls and a helmet and go with a guide by the light of traditional carbide lamps. The basic route takes about 50 minutes and is suitable for all ages; there is also a more demanding caving route for the adventurous. The average temperature inside is about 7 °C, and around 250 bats of 12 species spend the winter here.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| On the guided tour you will see that the cave is full of interesting formations, and you can also see old animal bones (or dinosaur bones? who knows). Kids will love it here. If you stay around Prešov longer, it is a great way to spend a free day. |
17. Thermal Aquapark Lipany
| Time needed | whole day |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | families with kids, couples, anyone who needs a relaxing day |
| Opening hours | daily 10:00–20:00 (may differ on public holidays) |
| Admission | full day €26 adults, €20 children 3–17 and seniors 60+ (autumn 2026); under 3 free |
| Getting there | approx. 30.6 km, approx. 35 min by car |
| Map | Aquapark Lipany |
The aquapark in the small town of Lipany, north-west of Prešov, is the newest thermal aquapark in Slovakia. Its thermal water comes from a geothermal well about 3,400 metres deep, and in the pools it has between 28 and 38 °C.
It is open all year: inside there is a large pool, a children’s pool and slides, and outside a sea-salt pool and a hydromassage pool. In summer, the outdoor area opens fully – up to 8 pools, 13 water slides and whirlpools, with a view of the surrounding hills. Unlike Plaza Beach in Prešov, you can enjoy it even in winter.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| This is a fairly new aquapark and the only one in the area with thermal water. Because it is new, everything looks very nice, and there are lots of different water attractions, especially for children. For a relaxing day, this place is made for it. |
Best Time to Visit Prešov and Events
Prešov is pleasant all year round, but late spring to early autumn is the best time – the parks on Hlavná Street are green, terraces are open, castle lookouts have longer opening hours and Plaza Beach is open in July and August.
| Season | What to expect | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Fresh green hills around the castles, terraces opening on Hlavná Street | Cultural events in the city centre |
| Summer (June–August) | Warm evenings in the centre, Plaza Beach open (July–August), longer opening hours | Prešov City Days and the Trinity Fair – early June |
| Autumn (September–November) | Colourful forests in the Slanské Hills, quieter castles and museums | Šariš Brewery Open Day in Veľký Šariš (traditionally early September); tastings in the Wine Museum (all year, book ahead) |
| Winter (December–March) | Quiet season, shorter opening hours, museums and cellars | Christmas market on Hlavná Street (late November to the end of December) |
The biggest event of the year is the Prešov City Days and the Prešov Trinity Fair (Dni mesta Prešov a Prešovský trojičný jarmok). In 2026 it took place on 3–7 June, with more than 200 stalls of crafts and food, concerts and an open-door day in some historic buildings.
Beer lovers should watch out for the Šariš Brewery Open Day (Deň otvorených dverí Pivovaru Šariš) in Veľký Šariš, 10 km from Prešov. The brewery has traditionally opened its gates once a year at the end of summer – in 2018 and 2019 it was on the first Saturday of September – with concerts on two stages, folk groups, brewery tours and, of course, plenty of fresh beer. The date is announced each year, so check before you plan your trip around it.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| If you are around Prešov when the brewery opens its gates, don’t miss it – it is great fun, with lots of concerts and good beer. |
In winter, Hlavná Street turns into a Christmas market – in 2024 it ran from 25 November to 23 December and again between Christmas and New Year. See also our guide to the best Christmas markets in Slovakia.
How Many Days to Spend in Prešov
One afternoon is enough for the historic centre. To see Solivar, the castles, the opal mines and the cave as well, plan 2–3 days – Prešov is ideal for a long weekend. And if you have more time, combine it with Košice (35 km) and the UNESCO town of Bardejov (42.1 km by road).
| Day | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Walking route through the centre: synagogue, Co-Cathedral (with the tower in summer), Rákóczi Palace, Neptune’s Fountain, Town Hall, Caraffa Prison and the Greek Catholic cathedral; in the evening a tasting in the Wine Museum |
| Day 2 | Solivar salt works in the morning, a walk up to the Calvary in the afternoon – or a day at Plaza Beach in summer |
| Day 3 | Slovak Opal Mines in Dubník in the morning, Kapušany Castle or Šariš Castle in the afternoon |
| Day 4 (optional) | Zlá Diera cave in the morning, then relax in the thermal aquapark in Lipany |
How to Get to Prešov
Prešov lies on the main road and railway connections from Košice to the north towards Poland. The nearest airport is Košice – more in our article about airports in Slovakia. From Bratislava, trains usually go via Kysak, where you change for Prešov; a bus or train from Košice is the easiest way to arrive.
| From | By car | By public transport |
|---|---|---|
| Bratislava | approx. 3 h 45 min (407 km) | train approx. 5–5.5 hours, usually with a change in Kysak |
| Košice | approx. 28 min | train or bus approx. 30–50 minutes |
| Košice Airport | approx. 39 min | bus or train via Košice |
| Bardejov | approx. 41 min | bus approx. 1 hour |
Plan your journey: cp.sk (all trains and buses in Slovakia) | ZSSK – Slovak railways | Slovak Lines
FAQ about Prešov
Here are quick answers to the questions visitors ask most often about Prešov.
Is Prešov worth visiting?
Yes. It has a long, lively main street with two cathedrals, a Renaissance palace and wine cellars under the town hall, and it is a great base for the Solivar salt works, Šariš and Kapušany castles and the Dubník opal mines.
What is Prešov known for?
For its Hlavná Street, the Gothic Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the historic salt works in Solivar, the nearby opal mines – once the only source of precious opal in the world – and as the centre of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia.
How far is Prešov from Košice?
About 35 km. By car it takes about 28 min, by train or bus about 30–50 minutes.
How many days do you need in Prešov?
One afternoon for the city centre, 2–3 days if you also want to visit Solivar, the castles, the opal mines and the Zlá Diera cave.
Can you visit the opal mines near Prešov?
Yes. The Slovak Opal Mines in Dubník near Červenica are open all year. The basic tour is about 1 km long, takes about an hour and the temperature underground is 6 °C, so bring a jacket.
Is the synagogue in Prešov open to visitors?
The Orthodox synagogue with the Bárkány Judaica collection can be visited, but opening times have been changing since the end of 2024. Contact the Jewish community or check the official website before your visit.
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Photo credits
- The Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas on Hlavná Street: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
- Neptune’s Fountain on Hlavná Street: V0lkanic / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
- Inside the Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Inside the Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Rákóczi Palace on Hlavná Street: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Town Hall on Hlavná Street: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
- The Caraffa Prison on Jarková Street: Palickap / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Orthodox synagogue in Prešov: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Church of the Holy Cross at the Prešov Calvary: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Salt Warehouse in Solivar: Infitter / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Plaza Beach Solivar: Fry72 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Peasant Uprising Monument on Furča: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Šariš Castle on its hill above Veľký Šariš: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
- The ruins of Kapušany Castle: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
- An old adit at the Dubník opal mines: Jozef Kotulič / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
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