Pécs
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At a glance
- Country
- Hungary
- Region
- Baranya
- Population
- 140,000
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD)
- Coordinates
- 46.07°N, 18.23°E
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Overview
Pécs sits on the sunny southern slopes of the Mecsek hills, near the Croatian border, and has the mildest climate in Hungary. Two thousand years of history are layered here: Roman Sopianae, a medieval cathedral and a domed mosque from the Ottoman occupation.
It is a lively university town with an arty streak, famous for the glazed tiles of the Zsolnay factory, and the vineyards of Villány are close by.
Things to see
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Photo: Kontiki, CC BY-SA 2.5 hu Mosque of Pasha Qasim
A 16th-century Ottoman mosque, later converted to a church, that still dominates the main square.
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Photo: Lestat (Jan Mehlich), CC BY-SA 3.0 Early Christian Necropolis
UNESCO-listed burial chambers from Roman Sopianae, decorated with remarkably preserved wall paintings.
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Photo: Takkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 Pécs Cathedral
The four-towered cathedral on a terrace above the old town, with a richly painted interior.
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Photo: Mrszantogabor, CC BY-SA 3.0 Zsolnay Cultural Quarter
The old porcelain factory turned arts complex, full of iridescent eosin-glazed ceramics.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Wine tasting in Villány
Hungary's red wine country, known for Bordeaux-style blends, is less than an hour south.
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Photo: VargaA, CC BY-SA 4.0 Walk in the Mecsek hills
Take the bus or walk up to the TV tower for views over the city and forested trails.
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Photo: Károly Zelesny, Public domain Browse Király utca
The pedestrian main street of cafés and restored façades, busiest on warm evenings.
Where to stay
Old town
Atmospheric and walkable, around Széchenyi tér and the cathedral.
Hotels in Old townAround the Zsolnay Quarter
East of the old town, handy for the cultural centre and a short walk or bus ride from the main square.
Hotels in Around the Zsolnay QuarterMecsek hillside
Quieter hotels with views over the rooftops, a short ride above the centre.
Hotels in Mecsek hillside
Getting around
The old town is compact and best walked. Local buses reach the Zsolnay quarter and the hills.
Direct InterCity trains from Budapest take about two and a half to three hours.
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal, with warm days and the Villány harvest in September. Summers are hot and winters cold, though milder than elsewhere in Hungary.
Plan your trip to Pécs
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.