Why Visit Pécs?
Pécs (*pronounced paych*) is the city in Hungary that most consistently surprises visitors. Positioned in the warm, sunny Mecsek hills of southern Transdanubia — closer to the Adriatic in latitude than to the Polish border — it genuinely earns its "most Mediterranean" designation. The streets are lined with terracotta-roofed buildings in warm yellows and pinks, outdoor cafe tables stay occupied well into October, and the city has a relaxed, slightly sleepy quality very different from Budapest's energy.
But Pécs is not just pleasant weather and good food. The city has more historical layers than almost anywhere in Hungary. Roman Sopianae (1st–4th centuries CE), with its remarkable Early Christian burial chambers (UNESCO World Heritage) still visible beneath the modern street level. A substantial Ottoman legacy visible in the Mosque Church — a former 16th-century Ottoman mosque converted to a Catholic church, its minaret still standing. Austro-Hungarian civic architecture from the late 19th century. The extraordinary Zsolnay ceramics tradition, which produced the pyrogranite tiles of Budapest's major buildings and is still produced here. And the University of Pécs — one of Hungary's oldest and most significant universities, making the city young and culturally active.
Top Things to Do in Pécs
Early Christian Necropolis (UNESCO)
The most important Roman monument in Hungary — a series of 4th-century CE burial chambers beneath Széchenyi Square, decorated with painted frescoes of extraordinary quality for the period. These are among the finest examples of early Christian funerary art in Central Europe, and the reason for Pécs's UNESCO inscription in 2000. The underground visitor complex is excellent, professionally presented, and not to be missed. Entry fee applies; check current prices locally.
The Mosque Church (Belvárosi Plébániatemplom)
The dominant landmark of Pécs's main square (Széchenyi tér). Originally built by Pasha Kasim Gazi around 1580 as a mosque, it was converted to a Catholic church after the Ottoman withdrawal in 1686. The exterior retains the form of a mosque — square building, former minaret base, and the dome. The interior is a unique hybrid: Catholic altars and statues within the geometric decoration of an Islamic prayer hall. One of the most unusual religious buildings in Central Europe.
The Minaret
The original minaret of the Mosque Church still stands — the only complete surviving Ottoman minaret in Hungary (Eger's is also complete; this one is taller). Visitors can climb the interior spiral staircase for views over the city. A fee applies; check locally for current hours and prices.
Zsolnay Cultural Quarter (Zsolnay Negyed)
The historic Zsolnay ceramics factory — founded in 1853 and famous for the pyrogranite (frost-resistant, color-glazed) tiles that decorate Budapest's Parliament, the Opera House, and the Great Market Hall — has been converted into a large cultural complex containing museums, art galleries, workshops, restaurants, and the Zsolnay Museum covering the factory's extraordinary history and output. One of the most ambitious cultural regeneration projects in Hungary.
The Cella Septichora Visitor Center
Part of the UNESCO complex — underground chambers beneath Széchenyi Square, containing the most significant surviving Roman mosaics and frescoes in Hungary. The seven-apsed burial chapel (cella septichora) is the most extraordinary individual monument in the complex.
The Synagogue
The ornate 1869 Moorish-Revival synagogue on Kossuth Lajos tér is one of the finest surviving 19th-century synagogues in Hungary. Open to visitors in summer months; check current hours locally.
The Mecsek Hills
The gentle forested hills above Pécs offer hiking trails, viewpoints over the city and the southern plain, and a cooler alternative to the city in summer heat. The TV tower on the hilltop is visible from across the city.
Where to Stay in Pécs
Pécs has a range of accommodation from budget guesthouses near the university to mid-range hotels around the main square. Staying within the old city center gives easy walking access to all attractions.
- Budget/student: Numerous options near the university quarter
- Mid-range: Several hotels on or near the main square and in the old town
Search on Booking.com for current rates.
Eating and Drinking in Pécs
Pécs has a lively restaurant scene supported by the university population and growing tourism. The main square and streets behind it have the highest density of options.
- The outdoor terrace cafe culture is particularly strong in Pécs — the city's warmth makes al fresco eating possible well into autumn
- Villány wine (from 30 minutes south) is the thing to drink in Pécs restaurants — some of Hungary's finest reds
- The city's university roots mean good value food options alongside more formal restaurants
Getting to Pécs
By train from Budapest: Direct InterCity (IC) trains from Budapest Keleti. Journey approximately 3 hours. Book IC supplement in advance.
By bus: Buses from Budapest also serve Pécs; check schedules at Volánbusz.
By car: Approximately 200 km south of Budapest via the M6 motorway. Approximately 2 hours with a motorway vignette.
Day Trips from Pécs
- Villány — 30 min south by car; Hungary's warmest wine region; excellent Cabernet Franc and Merlot; wine cellar visits along the main village road
- Mohács — 30 min east; site of the 1526 Battle of Mohács (a defining moment in Hungarian history); annual Busójárás festival (February/March)
- Sikonda thermal baths — 15 km east; thermal baths in a forest setting
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pécs worth visiting? Yes — it's one of Hungary's most distinctive cities, with a UNESCO site and a layered history that is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the country.
How do you get from Budapest to Pécs? By IC train from Keleti, approximately 3 hours. Book in advance.
What is Pécs famous for? The UNESCO Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque Church, the Zsolnay ceramics tradition, and as Hungary's warmest and most southerly major city.
What wine should I drink in Pécs? Villány wine — 30 minutes south, it's Hungary's warmest wine region and produces its finest reds. Ask at any good Pécs restaurant.
How many days should I spend in Pécs? One full day is enough for the main UNESCO sites, the Mosque Church, and a walk through the old town. Two days allows for Zsolnay and a day trip to Villány.