Giraltovce lies at the confluence of the Topľa and Radomka rivers. The landscape also varies within the municipality: the west is flat, while the east is gently rolling to more varied. Cultural heritage, places of remembrance and waterside trails give a stay a range of different focuses.

Cultural heritage and remembrance

The Protestant church in Giraltovce was built with a tower between 1650 and 1654. In 1798, it was extensively rebuilt, extended and enlarged; the Renaissance tower was restored in 1810. These three dates trace the building’s history, from the original church through later alterations to the tower’s restoration.

The Jewish cemetery was established on a hill within the town in 1862. It contains around 100 gravestones, mostly made of sandstone and granite. A Holocaust memorial erected in 2008 records the Jewish families who lived in Giraltovce until 1942. The cemetery, gravestones and memorial thus connect a place with its Jewish history and commemorate the families who lived there.

Folklore also has a place in local cultural life: the Topľa Valley Folklore Festival was held for the 33rd time in Mieru Park in Giraltovce on 7 June 2026. The park’s amphitheatre provides space for large music events and festivals. Check separately for new dates of future festivals. Hlovíkova litera, a literary competition named after the writer and Protestant pastor Adam Hlovík, was active in Giraltovce for a long time.

Trails with different time requirements

The walking trail along the Topľa runs from the former tannery, over the embankment and along the riverside path to the edge of Giraltovce. It is 3 km long and takes about 2 hours. The Rybník loop is 4 km long and takes about 3 hours; it follows Ulica kpt. Nálepku and a field path alongside the Radomka and a stream.

The CHPR Radomka loop is listed as 6 km and about 4 hours. It crosses a stream and runs through wet meadows and pastures. The three trails therefore also differ in the time they take: the Topľa riverside walk has the shortest estimated duration, at around two hours; Rybník takes about three hours and CHPR Radomka about four. Trail descriptions may need to be confirmed locally; check the information before setting out.

Landscape and activities by the water

Herons, gulls, fish and amphibians can be observed along the Rybník loop; sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. Aquatic and marsh plants also grow there. The Topľa walking trail has riverside vegetation and fishing spots; wild ducks and fish may be seen seasonally, though sightings are not guaranteed here either.

The Radomka Nature Reserve lies near Giraltovce. It protects natural meadow and fen communities in floodplain meadows along the Radomka stream. The nature features therefore vary by trail: Rybník includes, among other things, wetland habitats and aquatic plants, while the Topľa riverside walk offers riverside vegetation and fishing spots.

Fishing permits can be purchased every Friday during office hours, from 16:30 to 19:30, at the MO SRZ Giraltovce office. Check the latest information before travelling. For active recreation, tennis courts and a beach volleyball court can also be rented in Giraltovce. Municipal facilities are seasonal and availability may change, so check in advance.

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