DOGFESTIVAL Veľká Ida, it’s not just an ordinary show! This long weekend can also be a wonderful vacation and a beautiful experience for you. Eastern Slovakia is known for its extraordinarily beautiful nature and unique cultural monuments. Veľká Ida is located in a strategic location, near the city of Košice and many other interesting places that you could visit during your stay at our show.
Summer days are long, so you have plenty of time after the show, to take a walk, relax or explore the sights. We have prepared for you tips on interesting places where you can go, sorted by interest categories. All places are in the area of Veľká Ida (max. one hour by car), freely accessible and with available parking. All places (unless stated otherwise) are accessible with your furry pet and are not demanding on fitness.
Cultural sights:
Košice offers a beautiful historical center full of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The dominant feature of the city is St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the largest church in Slovakia, which boasts beautiful Gothic altars and stained glass windows. Around the cathedral you will find many historical buildings, picturesque streets and cultural institutions, such as the State Theater and the East Slovak Museum.
The ruins of Slanec Castle are located on top of a hill near the village of Slanec, approximately 30 km from Veľká Ida. This medieval castle, built in the 13th century, offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is freely accessible by hiking trail from the village of Slanec and is an ideal place for a short and easy trip combined with a walk in nature.
The ruins of the Sokoľ castle, which dates back to the 13th century and almost completely fell into disrepair after demolition, were restored. Access is directly from the center of the Sokoľ village, from where visitors are directed from the bus stop by the orange arrows of the approx. 6 km long educational trail.
The ruins of the Turňa Castle are located on a karst hill above the village of Turňa nad Bodvou, it is a very visited place because it offers beautiful views of the Slovak Karst. The best approach with a large parking lot is from the restaurant “pod Hradom”, where you can also eat. The ascent is not difficult, it takes about half an hour.
Obišovský Castle are the ruins of a castle from the 13th century near the village of Obišovce. Here we can see the modest remains of walls, a defensive rampart and a ditch. The most beautiful and also the shortest (approx. 1 km) access is directly from the village, through the meadows along the ridge with wonderful views, so the road itself is a beautiful experience.
Betliar Manor, built in the 18th century, is one of the best-preserved aristocratic residences in Slovakia. Surrounded by a beautiful english park with fountains and artificial caves, the mansion offers tours of the rich interiors that transport you to the times of the Hungarian nobility. The park provides beautiful relaxation surrounded by nature.
Castle of Košice is a popular destination for tourists and hikers who want to enjoy a walk in nature and get to know the history of the region. An asphalt path leads to the castle, surrounded by forests, which makes this place an ideal destination for lovers of nature and history. At the same time, there is also an observation tower and a freely accessible observation bridge.
The archaeological open-air museum in Nižná Myšla offers a fascinating insight into the life of our ancestors. This unique open-air museum reconstructs a Bronze Age settlement, including dwellings, workshops and a burial ground. Official guided tours are also held here on weekends. There are opportunities for beautiful walks in the meadows and forests nearby, and there is also a watchtower nearby.
Watchtowers and views:
The observation tower in Vyšná Myšla is a steel structure consisting of a viewing platform, which was built in 2021 near the village of Vyšná Myšla. From the viewpoint, we can see above the treetops. At the end of the viewing platform there is a spiral staircase, the height of which is approximately 8 m. You can take the stairs all the way down to the river Olšava.
The Hradová watchtower is part of the recreation area Hradová (Košický Castle), which is easily accessible by hiking trails. The tower offers a beautiful view of the city of Košice, the valley of the Hornád river and the surrounding landscape. The tower has opening hours and a symbolic entrance fee is charged. Children free.
The Čerešenka watchtower offers a panoramic view of the Tokaj vineyard area and the surrounding countryside. It is located on a hill between the villages of Chrastné and Čižatice and is a popular destination for view lovers. Freely accessible via a paved road, the parking lot is close to the tower.
Rock view Na skale – 670 m consists of massive rock cliffs and a panoramic rock plateau in places with an almost terrace-like mountain meadow. The rock walls fall perpendicularly into the Zádielská valley and thus create an amazing, breath-taking panorama that is not easily found elsewhere. The ideal access is from the Zádielská valley, from the educational trail.
The educational trail Jasovská skala (349 m), which starts in the village of Jasov, is only less than 2 km long and you will overcome an elevation of only 100 meters, which makes it an excellent choice even for less fit hikers. It offers an amazing view of the surroundings – Volovské vrchy and the village of Jasov itself with the Premonstratensian baroque monastery.
Attractions:
The Herľany geyser is a unique natural phenomenon located in the village of Herľany. It erupts regularly every 32-34 hours and its eruption lasts for approximately 25 minutes, during which water sprays up to a height of 20 meters. The surroundings of the geyser are arranged as a park, where you can relax and enjoy the sight of this fascinating natural phenomenon.
The Košice Zoo in Kavečany extends over 288 hectares and is home to more than 150 species of animals from all over the world. For families with children, there is a contact ZOO where you can pet and feed the animals. It’s great that you can take your dog to Košice ZOO, so he can enjoy this experience with you.
The monumental statue of Angel is a prop from the Hollywood film “Behind the Enemy Lines”, part of which was also filmed in the Slovak Karst. It is 15 meters high and is made of polystyrene covered with laminate. The statue is located in the cemetery in the village of Háj. Dogs cannot go to the cemetery, they will wait for you in the car and then you can go with them to the nearby waterfalls.
Háj waterfalls are located in the karst gorge Háj valley. You can find it behind the village of Háj. There are remarkable karst phenomena and numerous waterfalls. Parking is in close proximity to the waterfalls. Direction signs will guide you here from the road. You can find a gazebo, benches and fireplaces near the waterfall.
The village of Hrhov can be proud of a Slovak natural unique. In the very heart of this village, the water of the Hrhov waterfalls rushes powerfully. It is the largest and most abundant waterfall in the Slovak Karst, which will instantly enchant you. Who has ever seen a waterfall in the middle of the village? Miraculously! Information boards in the village will easily guide you to it.
Plant church and spring of St. Ladislav is located in a beautiful and quiet place of beautiful meadows, surrounded by majestic trees. Its walls and roof are made of wood and creeping greenery. There is also a plentiful and drinkable spring nearby. Access is from the village of Debraď through picturesque meadows and forests, the length of the route is about 3 km. This place is truly magical and worth a visit.
The Zádielská Tieňava National Nature Reserve is a monumental karst 3 km long gorge. In summer, it is a perfect place for a trip because the depth of the gorge is 300 m and a gurgling stream flows through it, so the climate is very cool and pleasant. At the end of the gorge is the Zádielska cottage, where you can eat and have refreshments.
The Rudník quarry offers its turquoise beauty just above the village of Rudník. Precisely because of its interestingly colored water and white sand, it is an attraction for tourists who are looking for less popular and unknown places. Dogs can also refresh and swim here. A great option is to let the dogs run free in the nearby meadows, with wonderful views of the surroundings and don’t miss the church of St. Anna, hidden in the woods at the end of the meadows.
Caves:
The caves are a great place for an adventurous family trip with children. Dogs are of course not allowed in the caves, but since many of you come to Veľká Ida for the whole long weekend, one day the dogs can rest at the accommodation and you can explore the beautiful natural theater in the caves.
Due to its importance and decoration, the Jasov cave was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the oldest in Slovakia open to the public – since 1846. The current tour route is 720 m long and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. The cave is extremely rich in drip decoration of very varied shapes and colors.
Enter the magical world of the Gombasek Cave, hidden in the heart of the Slovak Karst! Only 50 km from Veľká Ida, a unique experience awaits you among thin stalactites and beautiful drop curtains A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cave is an ideal place for nature lovers and adventurers.
Experience the unrepeatable feeling of entering the Silica Glacier, where you can find ice formations even in summer! It is located approximately 45 km from Veľká Ida and offers a unique view of the natural phenomenon of ice underground. This cave is also accessible with dogs!
The Domica cave is one of the most famous and largest caves in the country, with a total length exceeding 5.3 km. Its beauty is made up of rich drip formations, as well as the underground rivers Styx and Domický stream. It is also home to rare species of bats, the Cave offers visitors the opportunity to take a tour with an expert guide and get to know its beauty.
