1. Early Christian Necropolis — UNESCO World Heritage

Beneath Pécs’ streets lies one of Europe’s most important early Christian archaeological sites — a vast 4th-century Roman cemetery complex discovered in the 1970s during construction work. The site contains 16 decorated tombs, burial chambers, and memorial chapels adorned with exquisite Christian frescoes that are remarkably well-preserved after 1,600 years. The paintings depict biblical scenes (Adam and Eve, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jonah and the whale), Christian symbols (the Good Shepherd, the Chi-Rho monogram), and architectural details that create an illusion of being in a Roman basilica. The main memorial building, Cella Septichora (Seven-Chapel Hall), is a spectacular 4th-century structure with seven interconnected apses.

Location: Szent István tér, Pécs city centre (underneath the cathedral square).

Entry: €8–10 for the full site including Cella Septichora.

Highlights:

• World’s largest continuous early Christian necropolis outside Italy
• Extraordinary frescoes in vivid colours preserved for 1,600 years
• Cella Septichora — a unique seven-apsed early Christian memorial hall
• Underground burial chambers with original sarcophagi
• Interactive exhibits explaining early Christian burial practices

2. Pécs Cathedral & Mosque Church — Two Religions, One Space

Pécs Cathedral (officially the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul) dominates Szent István Square with its four Romanesque towers and 11th-century foundations — one of Hungary’s oldest churches. But the real architectural curiosity is the Mosque of Pasha Gázi Kászim, commonly called the Mosque Church. Built in the 16th century during Ottoman rule, it was originally an Islamic mosque with a minaret. After the Ottoman withdrawal, the Habsburgs converted it into a Christian church by adding a Baroque chapel and a cross atop the dome — creating one of the most unusual religious buildings in Europe, where the crescent moon and cross coexist. The interior still retains Ottoman prayer niches, Arabic inscriptions, and the original mihrab (prayer wall facing Mecca).

Location: Both on Szent István tér, the main square of Pécs’ cathedral district.

Entry: Cathedral: €4. Mosque Church: €3. Combined ticket: €6.

Highlights:

• Mosque Church — Europe’s most visible architectural symbol of Ottoman-Christian coexistence
• Original 16-metre minaret still standing (you can climb it for panoramic views)
• Pécs Cathedral’s four towers visible from across the city
• Cathedral crypt with 11th-century foundations and Roman stone carvings
• Combined ticket covering both buildings and the Early Christian Necropolis

3. Zsolnay Quarter — Porcelain, Art & Innovation

The Zsolnay Quarter (Zsolnay Negyed) is Pécs’ most spectacular cultural district — a transformed 19th-century porcelain factory complex that has been reborn as a vibrant arts and education hub. Vilmos Zsolnay founded his ceramics factory in 1853, and his revolutionary earthenware and pyrogranite (a frost-resistant glazed ceramic) soon adorned buildings across Hungary and Europe. The distinctive green, gold, and ruby-red iridescent glaze of Zsolnay porcelain is visible on Budapest’s Matthias Church roof and the Museum of Applied Arts. Today the quarter houses the Zsolnay Museum with thousands of porcelain pieces, contemporary galleries, artist studios, a children’s science centre, and a lovely outdoor courtyard with cafés and the famous green-glazed fountains.

Location: Zsolnay Vilmos út 37, Pécs (1 km south of city centre, 15-minute walk).

Entry: Zsolnay Museum: €4–6. Quarter: free to explore.

Highlights:

• Vast collection of Zsolnay porcelain — from ornate Art Nouveau vases to architectural ceramics
• Pyrogranite outdoor installations — from statues to fountains in the courtyard
• Artist workshops where you can watch ceramicists at work
• Zsolnay Museum of Contemporary Art in a beautifully restored factory building
• Factory shop with authentic Zsolnay pieces at factory prices

4. Pécs Wine Region — Villány & Szekszárd

Pécs sits at the heart of southern Hungary’s wine country, with two of Hungary’s most acclaimed wine regions within easy reach. To the south, the Villány wine region produces Hungary’s boldest red wines — the full-bodied Villányi Portugieser, Kékfrankos, and Cabernet Sauvignon are world-class. To the northwest, Szekszárd is the traditional home of Szekszárdi Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), a softer, more elegant version of Eger’s famous blend. Within Pécs itself, the Tettye district has historic wine cellars carved into the Mecsek hillside, and the Pécs Wine Festival in September is one of Hungary’s largest wine events.

Villány: 35 km south of Pécs (30 min by bus).

Szekszárd: 50 km north (45 min by train).

Wine tasting: €4–10 per cellar for tastings.

5. Mecsek Hills — Nature at Your Doorstep

The Mecsek Hills rise immediately north of Pécs, offering a green escape into forested mountains, limestone caves, and scenic hiking trails that start literally at the edge of the city. The highest peak, Zengő (682 metres), offers panoramic views over the city all the way to Croatia on clear days. The Mecsek is crisscrossed with over 300 km of marked trails suitable for all fitness levels. The Tv Tower (Tévétorony) on Misina Peak gives 360-degree views of Pécs, the Mecsek, and the distant Danube plain. The Abaliget Cave and the Mánfai Kőlyuk cave are popular natural attractions within the hills.

Access: Bus #33 from Pécs city centre to the Tettye district trailheads (15 min).

Entry: Free (most trails). Abaliget Cave: €3.

Highlights:

• Misina Peak and the TV Tower — the best view over Pécs and beyond
• Zengő Peak hike — moderate 4-hour round trip through beech forests
• Abaliget Cave — a 500-metre-long cave with underground stream and stalactites
• Orfű Lake District — five small lakes north of Pécs, perfect for swimming and fishing
• Tettye district — historic wine cellars and castle ruins at the foot of the hills

6. Pécs Food & Markets

Pécs’ cuisine reflects its southern location and Balkan influences, using peppers, tomatoes, and spices more generously than northern Hungarian cooking. The city’s food market (Pécsi Vásárcsarnok) is a beautiful 19th-century hall packed with local produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods. The Baranya county dish of note is the “Bográcsgulyás” — a kettle-cooked goulash with more vegetables than the Budapest version. Fisherman’s soup (halászlé) made with local freshwater fish is another speciality. The city’s Turkish heritage lives on in dishes like töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage) and the ubiquitous lángos found at every street corner.

Best food spots:

• Pécs Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok) — daily fresh produce and food stalls
• Mecsek Restaurant — traditional Hungarian with a view over the cathedral square
• Pavillon Bisztró — modern gastropub in Zsolnay Quarter, excellent local wines
• Rókusfalvy Borház — wine terrace with simple but excellent Hungarian dishes
• Európa Bisztró — affordable lunch menu with authentic Hungarian flavours