6 Things to Do in Pécs — Ottoman Mosque, Baroque Cathedral, and a UNESCO World Heritage City

Pécs is a city most travelers haven't heard of yet, even though history turns up on every street corner. From a 1,700-year-old Early Christian burial ground on the UNESCO World Heritage list to an Ottoman mosque still standing in the middle of the main square, Pécs is where three civilizations overlap in remarkably good company. Add a lively university-town atmosphere — cafés, restaurants, and galleries open year-round — and you have one of Central Europe's most underrated stops.

#1

📍 Széchenyi Square, city centre of Pécs

Mosque of Pasha Qasim

The most recognisable landmark in Pécs. Originally a Christian church, it was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 16th century and now serves as the Inner City Parish Catholic church. The layering of two eras is striking: Ottoman arched windows, a Christian altar, and Arabic inscriptions on the walls all occupy the same space. It is one of the very few Ottoman mosques still standing in Central Europe.

Best time Between 9 and 11 in the morning — full light and ahead of any group tours.

How to get there 20-minute walk from Pécs railway station, or take any bus heading into the centre and get off at Széchenyi Square.

Travel tips

• Entry is free during church opening hours — generally 10:00 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday. Check the schedule before you go.
• The best photo angle is from the north-east end of Széchenyi Square, where the dome stands out cleanly against the sky.
• The basement preserves traces of the original pre-Ottoman Christian church. Ask a staff member if you'd like to see it.

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#2

📍 Dóm tér (Cathedral Square), on the hill north of the city centre

Pécs Cathedral

The four-towered cathedral is the symbol of Pécs and, in many ways, of Hungary itself. Its origins trace back to the 11th century under King Stephen I, and while the building visible today was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, it remains genuinely grand. Inside: frescoes, colourful mosaics, and a crypt from the original Romanesque structure. The cathedral forecourt gives a panoramic view over Pécs and the Pannonian Plain stretching beyond.

Best time 9 to 11 in the morning or 14:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon — good light and fewer visitors than at midday.

How to get there A 10-minute uphill walk from Széchenyi Square, with clear signage along Janus Pannonius street.

Travel tips

• Admission is 3,000 forints, covering the crypt and towers. The tower stairs are narrow — not ideal if you're uncomfortable with heights.
• Opening hours are 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday. On Sunday mornings the cathedral is closed to visitors (religious services).
• Walking around the forecourt — with its garden and ancient Roman remains — is free, and the city views from here are the best in Pécs.

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#3

📍 Apáca utca, near the cathedral, in the old town

Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs

A UNESCO World Heritage Site that most visitors walk straight past. These underground burial chambers date from the 4th century, when the city was the Roman settlement of Sopianae. Several chambers survive with paintings still bright — Biblical scenes, flowers, peacocks — and they stand as key evidence of early Christianity in Europe. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2000, alongside other early Christian monuments in Pécs.

Best time Open every day except Monday. Afternoon visits avoid morning group tours.

How to get there 5-minute walk downhill from the cathedral heading south to Apáca street. Signs throughout the old town point the way.

Travel tips

• Admission is 3,500 forints. Open 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays. A combined ticket with the nearby Cella Septichora visitor centre is worth it.
• Underground temperature stays around 14°C year-round. Bring a light layer even in summer.
• English-language guided tours run twice daily at 11:00 and 14:00 — they add real depth to understanding the symbolism in the paintings.

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#4

📍 Zsolnay Vilmos utca, north-east of the city centre

Zsolnay Cultural Quarter

Founded in 1853, the Zsolnay factory became a legend of Hungarian ceramics. Zsolnay invented the Eosin glaze — a lustrous, iridescent finish resembling mother-of-pearl — found on major buildings across Budapest and Pécs. The old factory district has been redeveloped into a Cultural Quarter with a museum, cafés, art spaces, and a craft market. The original Zsolnay pieces on display in the museum are remarkable for their precision and colour.

Best time 13:00 to 17:00 in the afternoon — the shops are open and afternoon light makes the Eosin glaze on the buildings shimmer best.

How to get there Walk east from Széchenyi Square along Rákóczi út for 20 to 25 minutes, or take bus 21 or 27.

Travel tips

• Admission to the main museum is 3,000 forints. The central courtyard and shops are free to enter. The complex is large — follow the signs.
• The gift shop sells authentic Zsolnay pieces starting around 3,000 to 5,000 forints for smaller items — a genuine premium souvenir.
• Walking from the centre along Király utca to reach the quarter (15 to 20 minutes) lets you take in the shops and historic buildings along the way.

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#5

📍 Summit of Misina Hill, north of the city, at 535 metres above sea level

Pécs TV Tower

The best viewpoint in Pécs and the whole Baranya region. A lift takes you to the observation deck — 197 metres above the hilltop itself — from where you can see the city, the Pannonian Plain, and on a clear day all the way into Croatia. The tower was built in 1973, stands 197 metres tall, and is the tallest structure in south-western Hungary. A large park at the base is a good spot to slow down before or after the climb.

Best time 17:00 to 19:00 — the late afternoon light makes the plain and city look extraordinary.

How to get there Bus 35 from Széchenyi Square to Misina Hill takes 20 minutes. You can also walk up through the forest in about an hour.

Travel tips

• The lift costs around 1,500 forints. There's a café on the observation level at reasonable prices.
• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to watch the light turn gold across the rooftops of Pécs from above.
• The last bus up the hill is usually around 20:00. Check the timetable so you don't end up walking down in the dark.

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#6

📍 Király utca and Ferencesek utcája, central Pécs

Király Street and Old Town

The main artery of Pécs old town, connecting the central square to the shopping and cultural districts. The 600-metre pedestrian street is lined with cafés, second-hand bookshops, art galleries, and craft souvenir shops. The pastel Baroque buildings on both sides date from the 18th century. The university-town atmosphere is unmistakable — students and locals mix with visitors. Wander off the main street and you'll find Ottoman-era courtyards hidden behind unmarked doors.

Best time 18:00 to 21:00 for the full university-town energy, or Saturday morning for the farmers' market.

How to get there Széchenyi Square sits at the western end of Király Street — you can walk straight here from most sights in the old town.

Travel tips

• Ducking into the small side streets off the main road turns up courtyards and garden spaces in old houses that are open to the public — several with coffee and tucked-away greenery.
• The Saturday morning farmers' market at the far end of Király utca sells local food, fruit, and cheese from the Baranya region. Worth an early start.
• The neighbourhood is liveliest from the evening into midnight, particularly Thursday to Saturday when bars and restaurants fill with students.

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🏨 That's all 6 spots! Next step — book a top-rated stay in Pécs →