Pécs, Hungary
We invite you to explore Pécs — a charming and vibrant city in southern Hungary that enchants with its atmosphere and history. The Old Town is spacious and full of life, offering a rich collection of monuments, architectural gems, and artistic impressions. Whether you enjoy peaceful walks through picturesque streets or prefer to dive into the city's culture and culinary flavors — Pécs has it all. You can spend several rewarding days here discovering one landmark after another, all within walking distance. Many visitors claim it's the most beautiful city in Hungary, and after experiencing it ourselves, we couldn’t agree more.
Parking in Pécs
We chose to drive directly into the Old Town to stay close to the main attractions. Beneath Kossuth Square, which is practically in the city center, there's a spacious, two-level underground car park offering 280 spaces (1; GPS: 46.073768, 18.230813). Given its prime location, it’s a paid parking facility (450 forints/hour). Alternatively, you can leave your car a bit farther away, such as at Center Parking (2; GPS: 46.071665, 18.229285) where rates are slightly lower (400 forints/hour), or park for free next to the railway line — although it’s quite a walk from the center (3; GPS: 46.066136, 18.222278).
In our experience, parking under Kossuth Square is the most convenient choice if you plan to spend several hours walking around. There are elevators, restrooms, and the entrance is clearly marked. It’s also a good place to return for a short break or to grab something from the car during your sightseeing day. Just make sure to check parking times and fees in advance, especially during holidays or weekends.
The Széchenyi Square
Leaving the underground parking, we stroll along Irgalmasok utcája — a pleasant street that leads us straight to the heart of the city: Széchenyi Square (Széchenyi tér), the main and most prominent square of Pécs (A; GPS: 46.0763697, 18.2280719). In the Middle Ages, it served as the city’s bustling market square. Today, it is surrounded by striking architecture, with the most iconic building being the Church of Our Lady of Candlemas — formerly the mosque of Gazi Kasim Pasha. This is the most impressive Ottoman-era structure in Hungary and remains one of Pécs’s most recognized symbols.
Right across from the former mosque stands the elegant Holy Trinity Monument (Szentháromság-szobor) from 1908. The square is also home to the statue of János Hunyadi, unveiled in 1956, and the modest Bonifratres Church, built between 1727 and 1731. Near the church’s entrance you’ll find one of Pécs’s most beloved landmarks — the Zsolnay Fountain (Zsolnay-kút), dating back to 1912 and decorated with colorful glazed ceramics. Water pours from four stylized bull heads, making it a truly unique work of public art (B; GPS: 46.0752011, 18.2287369).
Other architectural gems around the square include the Town Hall (Városháza), the eclectic County Hall (Megyeháza) from 1897, the historic Nádor Hotel, and the classic Lóránt Palace. You can also spot an early 20th-century meteorological station, erected in 1908 with support from local residents.
Széchenyi Square is not just a historical site — it’s a vibrant hub of daily life, often hosting public events and concerts. Cafés and benches make it the perfect place to take a break, admire the city’s pulse, and soak in its centuries-old atmosphere. Don’t rush — just pause and enjoy the view.
Király utca
From Széchenyi Square, we head onto the most stylish and lively street in Pécs — Király utca. It’s known for its elegant buildings, boutique shops, and refined atmosphere. At the beginning of the street, on the left-hand side, we admire the eye-catching façade of the three-story Hotel Palatinus, built in 1915 (C; GPS: 46.0762656, 18.2293378). The street blends history with modern charm, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists.
Continuing our walk, we reach the charming Theater Square (Színház tér), home to the city’s historic theater. This Neo-Renaissance building with a rococo touch opened in 1895 and is a true architectural highlight (D; GPS: 46.0764031, 18.2306628). In front of the theater are two symmetrical fountains with reclining figures, from which water gracefully flows over the stones. Further down the street, on the right, we pass the Church of the Transfiguration (Lyceum templom or Urunk Színeváltozása templom) — a late Baroque building originally constructed by the Pauline monks in the second half of the 18th century (E; GPS: 46.0770619, 18.2337475).
The Jókai tér Square
Returning to Széchenyi Square, we head in the opposite direction to discover Jókai Square (F; GPS: 46.0755064, 18.2271117) — a pleasant urban space with a fountain and the Millennium Memorial (Ezredéves Emlékművet). One of the square’s most recognizable buildings is the Elefántos Ház — the “House of the Elephant” — a 19th-century structure that once housed a bakery and now hosts an upscale (and rather pricey) restaurant.
Leaving the square westward via Ferencesek utcája, you’ll find a cozy, affordable eatery: "Mátyás király vendéglő", located about 100 meters from Jókai Square on the left-hand side (G; GPS: 46.0755211, 18.2253361). The food is delicious and well-priced, especially in comparison to Elefántos Ház. You can sit inside or outside — just be cautious in late August, as wasps can get a little too friendly!
Király utca and its surroundings reveal the vibrant, everyday life of Pécs, offering a perfect mix of architecture, culture, and Hungarian flavors. Whether you're window-shopping, exploring history, or simply people-watching with a coffee in hand, this part of the city never fails to impress.
The Szent István Square and the Cathedral
Continuing west along Ferencesek utcája, we come across the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. In front of the building stands an old tram car, a nostalgic reminder of the tram line that once ran here until 1960 (H; GPS: 46.0752533, 18.2224983). At the nearby intersection, we turn right and head toward Szent István Square, which today is a peaceful green space and park (I; GPS: 46.0769092, 18.2232008). Dominating the area is the majestic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Szent Péter és Szent Pál Székesegyház), originally from the 11th century but extensively rebuilt in the early 19th century (J; GPS: 46.0782786, 18.2236356).
Directly across from the cathedral stands the 19th-century Church of Our Lady of the Female Order of Notre Dame (K; GPS: 46.0766561, 18.2238017). On our way back to the city center via Apáca utca, we pass a monument to Mihály Babits, a notable Hungarian poet, writer, and translator. A bit further down the road, on the left, we pass a building where the choir of Pécs gave its first performance in 1861. We soon arrive back at Széchenyi Square.
Irgalmasok utcája Street and the Kossuth Square
Leaving Széchenyi Square, we walk along Irgalmasok utcája until we reach Graz-tér Square. Here we find the main post office and the Tüke Fountain, a modern sculpture unveiled in 1998 (L; GPS: 46.0733489, 18.2269856). The fountain’s motifs — including grape clusters and springs — symbolize fertility, abundance, and eternal youth.
To return to the parking lot, we continue via Citrom utca toward Kossuth Square, where we encounter a dignified statue of Lajos Kossuth — a revered hero of Hungarian independence — standing in front of the majestic building of the district office (M; GPS: 46.0740378, 18.2298339).
This final stretch of the walk offers a gentle wind-down, passing through elegant civic architecture and peaceful squares. It’s a great moment to reflect on the richness of Pécs — a city where history, art, and culture beautifully intertwine at every corner.
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