What to See in Pécs
Explore 26 landmarks, monuments, and attractions in Pécs, Hungary. From iconic sights to hidden gems — curated from real traveler experiences.
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Early Christian monuments
Remains of Sopianae, the Roman city of some 8-10,000 people in Pannonia Province, are found at several points below the inner city. The most important one is the Early Christian Necropolis, a World Heritage site dating back to the 4th century and the largest necropolis remaining in the European provinces.…
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Currently, seven of the burial chambers are open to the public under the name [http://www.septichora.hu/en/ Cella Septichora]; the main visitors’ complex includes Cella Septichora, the Peter-Paul Chamber (Péter-Pál - sírkamra), the Chamber of Jugs (Korsós sírkamra), a baptismal chapel converted into a burial site and chambers III, IV, XIX and XX. Many of the chambers are unadorned; some have surviving figurative and geometric frescoes dating back to the date of their construction and similar to Roman catacomb paintings in their style and symbology, including the St. Peter and Paul Chamber with one of the earliest depictions of Virgin Mary. A unique feature of the site is the presence of two-level chambers, which originally served a dual role for both burial site (cubiculum) and ceremonies (memoria). - The Chamber in Apaca Street build in 390.
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Szigetvár
Official websiteThe main sigts is the Castle (Museum) founded in Celtic times (HUF800; M-Su 10:00-20:00, 2011). Some monuments could be see in the town from Turkish times (16-18th century). Ali Pasha Mosque now St. Roch's Church, on the Zrinyi Square (1588, 1788). St. Anthony of Padua Franciscan Church (1736).…
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Turkish House (Hungarian: 'Várospince' means town basement), originally caravanserai, Bástya Street (Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00). Salt House (Sóház), also known as the White House or Stagecoach station, built in 1790's. Turbéki church, in the outskirt 3km away, in site where today's church stay, is buried Sultan Suleiman the hearts and internal organs, and above it a gilded domed octagonal tomb built, this is one of the Muslim pilgrimage site in Europe, - on the day of Ascension this is a pilgrimage place for local Hungarian, German and Croatian Catholics.
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Zsolnay Museum
Official websiteAn exhibit on the life, times and decorative ceramics of Vilmos Zsolnay and the Zsolnay Ceramic Factory. The lustrous eosin glaze and colourful pyrogranite developed in the 1870s has given the Manufacture its fame and a Grand Prize at the 1878 Paris World Exhibition.…
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Eosin had gained particular significance in Hungarian Art Nouveau, and became a popular material for public and private buildings as well as art objects. Although the fortunes of the company have been uneven, with world wars, family troubles, nationalisation in 1948 and the mass production of industrial ceramics, the hand-painted charm of the brand survives. The museum collects the lustrous ceramics of the Zsolnay legacy in chronological order in addition to plans, documents and other relics of this cornerstone of the city’s industrial heritage.
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Csontváry Museum
Official websiteThis museum houses the largest collection of visionary painter Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry. A pharmacist by trade, Csontváry became a self-educated painter after receiving a vision at the age of 27 with a voice announcing “you will be the greatest sunway painter, greater than Raphael!” Gradually abandoning his civilian p…
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rofession, he travelled the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East as well as the Dual Monarchy for inspiration, and painted strange vistas of vivid colour in a unique style that has traces of post-impressionism and expressionism, but ultimately defies classification. Csontváry has been praised by Dalí as the second greatest painter of the century after himself. A must-see.
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The Mosque of Pasha Quasim
Official websiteBuilt on site and from the stones of Saint Berthold’s gothic church by Pasha Quasim the Victorious, the Turkish character of the church was restored during the most recent, early 1940s renovations. Inside the building, which functions as a Catholic church, frescoes depicting quotes from the Qur’an from the 16th century are visible.…
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The other mosque in the city, built by Yakovali Hassan, is located at Kórház Square at the western terminus of the main pedestrian street, and is also open for visit when not in religious use by the city’s Muslim community.
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Cathedral
The Cathedral of Pécs dates back to the 11th century and the times of Peter Orseolo, second king of Hungary. Bearing the traces of the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods as well as the Turkish conquest when it was partially used for storage.…
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It was renovated in Rococo and Classicist styles, but gained its modern form in the 1880s, when it was mostly restored to its imagined Romanesque origins, destroying much of the subsequent decorations. On John Paul II’s papal visit in 1990, the Cathedral gained the rank of Basilica Minor.
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Local History Exhibition
Official websiteThe exhibition on the history of Pécs,-between 1686 and 1948,-located in a former tannery house On the first floor there are two interiors: one in biedermeier-style and a sitting-room from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.In the exhibition there are objects, documents, photos, interiors, models of buildings and the town.…
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The intimate court of the tannery can add to the visitors' impressions. - Gift shop.
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Siklós
Official websiteHighlights: Siklos Castle (13-16th century), including museums, torture chamber; Gothic Franciscan monastery (15th century), including ceramic creative house; Malkocs Bey Mosque built in the 16th century. For relax there is the Thermal Spa Siklós. Taste the local products of this excellent wine region.…
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- Máriagyűd (a couple km northwest of Siklós) is famous Marian shrine and place of pilgrimage
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House of Arts and Literature
Official websiteAn exhibition hall different - mostly contemporary - exhibitions. Locatad in 'Elaphat building complex' in the Hoitsy house (late Baroque, end of the 18th century), and the Piatsek house (second half of the 19th century).…
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Events: classical chamber music, jazz, and world music presentations, chamber theater and literary programs
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Gemenc Forest Nature Park
Official websiteThis is part of the Danube-Drava National Park, and it is a nature reserve. Enjoy a ride on the Gemenc Forest Train. Visit the Karapancsa Castle and Farm. Water sports. Forest Walking. Birdwatching. Danube Swamp Forest. Also from Baja take a Pleasure-boat Trip on the Danube River to and around Gemenc Forest.
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Baja
Official websiteThis is a local commercial centre and the provider of public services such as education and healthcare. A small cosmopolitan town (pop.37000) with some minorites such Germans; Croats; Serbs; Slovaks and Romanis. Also there are some museums and art galleries. The city churches representing the variety of religion.
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Gyugyi Laszlo Collection
Laszlo Gyugyi's private collection. It covers two period of art era is historicism and secession. There are some of the most beautiful ceramics of the 'Golden Age' of Zsolnay Factory. - Guided tour available by appointment HUF5000
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Vasarely Museum
Official websitededicated to the works of Victor Vasarely, founder of the op-art movement. Faux-threedimensional paintings, gobelins and "kinetic statues". One of the three collections of Vasarely's work besides Gordes (France) and Budapest.
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Archaeological Exhibition
Official websiteThe upper part of the two-storey building was a chapel while the lower part, decorated with murals depicting scenes from the Bible, functioned as a burial chamber. - Buy some souvenir in museum shop. Guide: Available
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Modern Hungarian Gallery I.
Parts of its: Amerigo Tot Museum. http://www.jpm.hu/index.php?m=1&s=2&id=44 Martin Ferenc Museum. A collection of works of Ferenc Martyn (Kaposvar, 1899 - Pécs, 1986), sculptor, painter, graphic designer, illustrator
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Villány
Official websiteSights Teleki and Wine Cellar Museum, Church Hill quarry (Conservation Area). Event: The Villany wine festival (2014. Oct. 3-5.). Outdoor: The Villany-Siklos Wine Road. The Sculpture Park
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Miner Museum
The Mining Museum of Pécs located in a part of the former wine cellar storage system with several levels below where they show eliminated coal and uranium mining relics of the region.
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Love padlocks
padlocks are affixed to fences in down town, on the street running from main square to the cathedral. These public fixtures by sweethearts symbolize everlasting love.
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Modern Hungarian Gallery II.
Official websiteA permanent exhibition of the Modern Hungarian Gallery presents the broadly interpreted 20th and 21th centuries Hungarian Art, paintings, sculptures, installations.
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Ethnographic Exhibition
It presents the material and spiritual culture of Hungarian and ethnic minority groups of Baranya county. Here is the second largest textile collection of Hungary.
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Puppet Museum and Theater
Official websiteThis is an interactive Puppet Museum. Children can try out the old puppets, learn more information about the techniques of puppets. - Guided tours are available
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Harkány
Official websiteMedical waters. One of the most famous city spas. Tourinform Office: Kossuth Lajos utca 7, Tel/Fax: +36 72 815910, Mobilphone=+36 30 2687488
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Pink Zsolnay Exhibition
Official websiteThe best of everyday objects for visitors. Each piece is unique. - Guided tours can be ordered, available in different languages.
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Planetarium of Pécs
Official websiteOffers substantial pastime for all ages. 45-persons capacity. You can do time travel into the past and the future.
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Television tower
Official websiteprovides a nice panorama on the city, on the neighbouring Mecsek Mountains, and on the hills in the south.
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University History Collection
Official websiteLocated in the University Library. Here can be seee the valuable Klimo-collection
Exploring Pécs: A Guide for Solo Travelers
Pécs is one of Hungary's most rewarding cities to explore on foot. With 26 documented sightseeing spots — from grand monuments and historic churches to hidden squares and local museums — the city rewards curiosity at every turn. This guide covers everything you need to plan a great sightseeing day in Pécs, whether you have a single afternoon or an entire week.
How to See Pécs Like a Traveler, Not a Tourist
The best way to discover Pécs is on foot, moving between neighborhoods rather than rushing between landmarks on a tour bus. Start your day early — most major sights in Pécs are significantly less crowded before 9am. Many iconic spots, such as Early Christian monuments and Szigetvár, look entirely different at dawn versus midday, and you'll get far better photographs without the crowds.
Budget at least 30–45 minutes for each major attraction in Pécs, and don't underestimate walking distances between them. The city's neighborhoods are best experienced by wandering rather than following a rigid itinerary. If something unexpected catches your eye — a courtyard, a street market, a viewpoint — follow it. The most memorable moments in Pécs rarely appear on any official list.
Planning Your Sightseeing in Pécs
Before you visit major paid attractions in Pécs, check whether they offer discounts for students, young travelers, or EU residents. Many museums and monuments have free admission on the first Sunday of the month, or offer combined tickets with nearby sites that save significant money. Some of Pécs's best sights are entirely free — outdoor landmarks, historic streets, and public spaces cost nothing to explore and can be more atmospheric than ticketed attractions.
If you're visiting Pécs as a solo traveler, consider joining a free walking tour. They typically depart from main squares in the morning and cover the city's most important sights in 2–3 hours with a knowledgeable local guide. These tours are also excellent for meeting other travelers — you'll often find the group ends up exploring Pécs together for the rest of the day.
Sightseeing in Pécs with Fellow Travelers
Solo sightseeing in Pécs is perfectly enjoyable, but exploring with others can transform the experience. When you share a landmark with a fellow traveler, you see it through their eyes — their questions, their stories, their cultural context. A French traveler will notice different things about Pécs's architecture than a Japanese one. That exchange of perspectives is what makes travel memorable.
Nomax is a free travel companion app that helps solo travelers in Pécs find each other and plan sightseeing together. Browse profiles of travelers currently in Pécs, join group activities like city walks and museum visits, or post your own sightseeing plan and invite others to join. Many travelers in Pécs use Nomax to find companions for specific attractions — someone to split a taxi to an outlying monument, or a walking partner for the old town.
What Makes Pécs Worth Seeing
Pécs offers 26 documented sights in this guide alone — and that's only the beginning. Early Christian monuments, Szigetvár, Zsolnay Museum are among the most visited, but the city's lesser-known neighborhoods and viewpoints are equally rewarding for the traveler willing to explore beyond the main itinerary. Hungary's history, culture, and architecture are all visible in Pécs's streets and buildings, making it one of the best cities in the region for sightseeing.
Whether you're spending a single day or a full week in Pécs, this guide gives you a starting point for building your own itinerary. The sights are ordered by the richness of their documentation, with the most detailed descriptions at the top. Use the coordinates to navigate with any map app, and check the hours and entry prices before visiting to avoid disappointment.
Sightseeing in other Hungary cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see attractions in Pécs?
Pécs has 26 notable sights including Early Christian monuments, Szigetvár, Zsolnay Museum. This guide covers landmarks, monuments, churches, museums, and hidden gems curated from traveler experiences and editorial sources.
How many days do you need to see Pécs?
Most travelers spend 3–5 days exploring Pécs to cover the major sights comfortably. A focused itinerary can cover the top 10–15 highlights in 2 days. Download Nomax to connect with other travelers and plan a shared sightseeing itinerary for Pécs.
Are there free things to see in Pécs?
Yes — many of Pécs's best sights are free or low-cost. Outdoor landmarks, public squares, parks, and certain museums offer free admission or free exterior visits. Check individual entries above for price information.
What is the best time to visit Pécs's sightseeing spots?
Early mornings (before 9am) are the best time to visit popular sights in Pécs to avoid crowds. Many monuments and outdoor attractions are also magical at dusk. Use Nomax to find fellow travelers who can share timing tips and join you for a sightseeing day.
How do I meet other travelers to explore Pécs with?
Download Nomax — the free travel companion app — to instantly see solo travelers near you in Pécs. Join sightseeing activities, meet travelers at the same landmarks, and chat before you meet up. It's the easiest way to explore Pécs with company.
Is Pécs good for solo travelers?
Pécs is popular with solo travelers for its rich sightseeing, accessible public transport, and welcoming atmosphere. The Nomax app helps solo travelers find companions in Pécs so you never have to explore alone — from guided walks to museum visits to spontaneous meetups.
Explore Pécs with fellow travelers
Download Nomax to find travel companions in Pécs, join sightseeing activities, and make your trip unforgettable.
Download Nomax — FreeAvailable on iOS and Android. Free forever.
Travel tips from Wikivoyage contributors, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
