What was the summer like in Šariš? Well, simply brilliant! From castles to folklore, crafts and local flavours, right through to cycling, hiking and outdoor adventures. During the summer of 2026, the Šariš region showed that a holiday doesn’t have to be centred on just one place. All you need to do is set off, and every weekend can be completely different.
Castles that have come to life in a different way
History in the Šariš region is certainly not just about looking at old walls. The ‘Experience Castles Differently’ project has introduced a new way of exploring the area The Šariš Castle Trail – through stories, crafts, traditions, local flavours and people who know each place first-hand.
Following the pilot event at Kamenica Castle the project continued in July with Kapušany Castle. During the group tour, visitors learnt more about the site’s history, gained an insight into the world of traditional crafts, learnt about beekeeping and enjoyed the views from the castle tower. For a moment, history became an experience that engaged all the senses. And the castle experience doesn’t end there; the ‘Experience Castles Differently’ project will continue this autumn, and this time the journey will lead to Šebeš Castle.
Discover Šariš: a weekend full of experiences
One of the new features this summer was the first edition of the experiential festival Discover Šariš, which took place from 24 to 26 July.
He invited visitors to discover the region in a slightly different way – through personal stories, local guides, craftspeople, artists, community leaders, traditional flavours and lesser-known places. The programme centred on Ponds in Veľký Šariš, although the individual experiences took place in various locations across the region.
That’s what Šariš is all about. It’s not just a list of monuments and tourist attractions. It’s a region that you’ll get to know best through the people who live here, create here and keep local traditions alive. You won’t just leave here with sore feet, but above all with experiences you won’t forget in a hurry. And there certainly was plenty to choose from!
When Prešov got into the folk dance spirit
The beginning of August in Prešov was marked by Festival of Countries and Traditions, which hosted the first edition of the international folklore festival.
From 6 to 8 August, the historic city centre Prešov filled with music, dance, traditional costumes and traditions. Folklore groups from Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Ukraine performed on a single stage. The programme was complemented by a folklore parade through the town, a dance school, traditional games, crafts, regional cuisine and evening concerts.
The festival also featured an area Discover and experience Šariš, where visitors could learn about local crafts, producers, regional products and traditional culture. There was also a tasting of Šariš mačanka and a festive certification the brand’s first owners Šariš Regional Product, who praised the hard work of the craftsmen from Šariš.
Šariš from the saddle of a bicycle
The summer of 2026 also confirmed that Šariš is becoming an increasingly attractive region for cyclists. The region offers a wide range of routes, from easy family outings to more demanding sporting challenges. The main cycling routes include Bicycle Railroad, EuroVelo 11 or trailers.
One of the summer events was Prešov–Sigord cycle tour, which took place on 15 August. The participants set off from the Prešov Bike Centre and, after cycling approximately 10 kilometres along the Cykloželeznička route, arrived at the Sigord reservoir. The trip combined cycling with learning about the history of the Slanské Hills.
The region’s cycling potential was also showcased by Cycling trips along the EuroVelo 11 route. The route passed through Veľký Šariš, Sabinov and Krivany, showcasing the links between cycling and the historical monuments, natural surroundings and folk culture of Čergov.
The cycling season doesn’t end in autumn. It continues, taking participants in upcoming events on two wheels along the EuroVela 11 route.
Wandering through the wilderness of Čergov
The summer in Šariš was also all about hiking and exploring nature. A trip to Veľká Javorina as part of A stroll through the wilderness of Čergov He combined a hike of around 9 kilometres with exploring life in the Čergov forests. Participants learnt more about the local fauna, animal tracks and the rare old-growth forests in the Vlčia Private Nature Reserve.
The Summer That Never Ends
And although the summer season in Šariš is slowly drawing to a close, September certainly doesn’t mean the end of the fun. There are more castle events, sporting and cycling events, and a varied cultural programme just waiting to be discovered.
The summer of 2026 once again confirmed that Šariš has something to offer in every season. Whether you’re exploring it from the saddle of a bike, from the castle hills, through folklore, crafts, good food or simply on a leisurely walk through the countryside – there’s always a reason to return and discover something new.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
