Eastern Slovakia: Jewish Heritage Tour via Košice, Bardejov & Prešov

Summary

Stories of survival, art and memory from Košice to Bardejov

You’ll step inside synagogues still alive with memory in Košice and Prešov, see Ľudovít Feld’s haunting art up close, walk Bardejov’s UNESCO-listed Jewish Suburbia and pause at a memorial garden lined with names. With local stories guiding each stop—and transport plus entry fees sorted—you’ll feel history settle quietly around you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Košice’s Orthodox Synagogue would be the smell—old wood and something faintly sweet, maybe wax? Our guide, Peter, greeted us with a quiet “dobrý deň” and led us into the Ľudovít Feld Cultural Center. I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of Feld before this day trip from Košice, but standing in front of his paintings—knowing he survived Auschwitz by painting for Josef Mengele—it felt like history was suddenly right there in the room with us. There was a hush that lingered after Peter told us how Feld returned to paint his city again. I still think about that moment.

The drive north to Prešov gave me time to process it all. The landscape outside was green and rolling (and honestly, I nodded off for a bit). Prešov’s synagogue surprised me—it’s grand but also somehow warm inside. In the women’s gallery, we looked at silver candlesticks and Torah crowns from the Barkany Judaica Collection. Peter explained how Prešov used to be called “the Jerusalem of Slovakia,” which made sense when you saw how much care had gone into preserving these things. Lunch was simple—soup and bread at a café near the main square—but I liked watching locals chat over coffee while we rested our feet.

Bardejov felt different right away—quieter, with cobblestones echoing underfoot. The Jewish Suburbia is just outside the old walls; it’s not flashy but it hit hard seeing the Holocaust Memorial garden with so many names carved by family. It’s strange how silence can feel heavy sometimes. We wandered through the old mikvah (the tiles were cool to touch) and Peter pointed out little details—a faded mezuzah here, Hebrew letters half-worn there. The main keyword for this tour is Jewish heritage in Eastern Slovakia, but honestly it felt more like walking through layers of memory than just ticking off sites.

If you’re lucky or quick enough with time, there’s a stop in Sabinov on the way back—the Oscar statue in the town center is both funny (it really is holding a button) and sad if you know the story behind “The Shop on Main Street.” We didn’t linger long; dusk was coming on fast and Peter joked about Slovak drivers at night (“they drive like they’re late for their own weddings”). By then my head was full—of stories, faces from old photos, that odd sweet smell from Košice still clinging to my jacket.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Jewish heritage in Eastern Slovakia

• Visit Orthodox Synagogue in Košice
• See Ľudovít Feld Cultural Center exhibits
• Drive to Prešov
• Tour Prešov Orthodox Synagogue
• Explore Barkany Judaica Collection
• Lunch in Prešov historic center
• Drive to Bardejov
• Visit Jewish Suburbia heritage site
• See Holocaust Memorial garden
• Tour Bikur Cholim Synagogue
• Optional stop in Sabinov for film statue
• Drive back to Košice

Top questions

How long does this Eastern Slovakia Jewish heritage tour take?

The tour lasts one full day including stops in Košice, Prešov, Bardejov and an optional visit to Sabinov before returning.

Is transportation included on this day trip from Košice?

Yes, roundtrip transportation between all sites is included.

Are synagogue entry fees part of the price?

Entry fees for synagogues in Košice, Prešov and Bardejov are included.

Will we have a local guide during the tour?

Yes, a local guide leads you throughout the day at each site.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No set lunch is included but there is a break for lunch in Prešov's historic center where you can choose your meal.

What are some highlights of this Jewish heritage tour?

The Feld Cultural Center in Košice, Barkany Judaica Collection in Prešov and UNESCO-listed Jewish Suburbia in Bardejov are key highlights.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as walking distances are moderate.

Can I join using public transport instead of pickup?

Public transportation options are available nearby if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transportation between Košice, Prešov and Bardejov (with an optional stop in Sabinov), entrance fees to all synagogues visited along the route as well as plenty of time to explore each site with your local guide before heading back together at sunset.