Pécs

Historic charm and Mediterranean vibes

Pécs stands out as Hungary’s cultural heart beyond Budapest. Founded over two millennia ago, it holds Roman ruins alongside medieval churches and vibrant street art. The city thrives on its mix of Hungarian, Serbian and Turkish influences visible in food markets, music venues and architecture. Its hilly landscape offers panoramic views from the Cathedral Hill and cozy cafes along cobblestone lanes. Pécs earned UNESCO recognition for preserving historical layers while supporting modern creativity through galleries and festivals throughout the year.

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City in Hungary

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.6

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially by younger locals and in tourist areas. Most menus, signs, and museum information have English translations.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Pécs Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong in culture and historic architecture. Visit museums and galleries, explore Roman and Ottoman heritage sites and relax in lively squares.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Hungary – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Hungarian Forint (HUF) £1 ≈ HUF 437.70
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Hungary, especially in urban areas, though smaller vendors may prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Hungary, with 10-15% added in restaurants if not included. Small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff are also common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not permitted in Hungary, except in designated areas or during special events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and transport. Designated smoking areas are available.

Hungarian Revolution Day (March)	Public events and closures occur, especially in Budapest.
Saint Stephen's Day (August)	Expect fireworks and celebrations across Hungary.
Christmas (December)	Festive markets and holiday closures are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Főtaxi, Uber
Other:	Hungary is known for its thermal baths, historical architecture, and vibrant cultural festivals. Public transport is efficient in cities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Pécs, Hungary

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

☁️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - June, Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, July - Aug., Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Advent market and festive illuminations on the main square from late November to late December

Hiking in the Mecsek hills is best April to October

Don't miss

⛪ Explore the medieval Pécs Cathedral and climb its tower for views
🕌 Visit the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, a unique Ottoman-era mosque-church
🏛️ Stroll through Széchenyi Square and admire historic architecture
🎨 Discover contemporary art at the Zsolnay Cultural District
🏺 Walk the ancient Early Christian Mausoleum UNESCO site
🍽️ Enjoy local dishes and atmosphere on vibrant Király Street

You've been here?

Why travel to Pécs?

Pécs offers a unique blend of history, culture and laid-back vibes. You can explore Roman ruins, admire Ottoman architecture and dive into the city's vibrant art scene at the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. The surrounding Villány wine region is also a delight for wine enthusiasts. Be mindful that while Pécs is generally safe, it’s a smaller city, so nightlife can be quieter compared to Budapest. Also, some English signage may be limited, but locals are friendly and helpful.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Zsolnay-kút
2 Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)
3 Cella Septichora

🎡Places for activities

1 Victor Vasarely múzeum
2 Pécsi Zoo
3 Széchenyi tér
4 TV Tower

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Abaliget
2 Tettye
3 Misina
4 Mecsek

🛍️Shopping

1 Pécs Plaza
2 Vásártér

🎈Events

Pécs Spring Festival
Zsolnay Light Festival (July)
Pécs National Theatre Festival
Villány Red Wine Festival (October)
Mecsek Rallye
Pécs City Days
International Guitar Festival
Mediterranean Festival
Baranya Folk Festival
Christmas Market

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Start at Széchenyi Square. Heart of historic old town.
Climb Pécs Cathedral towers for panoramic city views and stunning interior frescoes.
Visit Zsolnay Cultural Quarter to explore colorful porcelain art and family museums.
Discover Pasha Qasim Mosque on main square, now a church blending Ottoman and Baroque styles.

How to travel to Pécs

The nearest airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), about 2.5 hours away. Pécs is well connected by train and bus from Budapest and other Hungarian cities. Direct trains from Budapest’s Keleti station are convenient.

Access summary

From Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD): Airport bus/metro to Keleti, then train ~3–3.5 hours.
From Budapest city: Direct InterCity trains usually 2.5–3 hours.
Regional buses from Budapest or lakes region are alternatives but slower.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Pécs

Pécs has a mix of charming guesthouses, mid‑range hotels and a few upscale options. The city centre is the best area to stay, offering easy access to sights, dining and public transport.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Makar Sport & Wellness

8.4

Boutique Hotel Sopianae

9.0

Hotel Laterum

8.3

Palatinus Grand Hotel

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Pécs

Pécs is compact and walkable, with most attractions within the city center. Buses are available for longer trips and taxis are affordable. Bike rentals offer a great way to explore the city and nearby hills.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-39 %

Daily expenses in Pécs are around 39% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to HUF) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£45	£97	£244
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£20	£45	£117
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£18
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£3.60

Safety information overview

General safety

Pécs is generally safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply, like avoiding poorly lit areas at night and keeping an eye on personal belongings in crowded places.

Health & Medical

Healthcare facilities in Pécs are good, with hospitals and pharmacies available. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency care.

Accessibility

Pécs offers decent accessibility. The historic center is mostly flat and easy to navigate, though some cobblestone streets and historic sites might present challenges for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Pécs. Public drinking fountains are available and most restaurants provide tap water upon request. Bringing a reusable water bottle is recommended.