Pécs

Located in the southwestern region of Hungary, Pécs is a culturally diverse and stimulating city, with a population of about 150,000. Lying in the South of Transdanubia, close to the border with Croatia, it has a mild Mediterranean climate. 

The history of Pécs dates back over 2,000 years, and the name of the old Roman town, - Sopianae - is still found in the names of institutions and products. Although its development suffered several setbacks throughout history, such as during the Tartar invasions or the Ottoman-Turkish Rule, it has not only survived, but developed into a pleasant, modern town, filled with historical monuments, as well as an administrative, cultural and educational centre with a lot to offer to those who wish to live or study here. The town is famous for its museums, galleries, festivals and cultural events it hosts. It is known as a ’City of Culture’.

Szechenyi square

Cathedral

Irgalmasok street

The downtown of Pécs is a unique mixture of the relics of early Christianity, the arrival of the Hungarians, the Turkish reign and the achievements of modern architecture and art. The National Theatre, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the internationally renowned Ballet Ensemble as well as the unique Zsolnay Cultural Quarter offer fascinating experiences.

Pécs is also the seat of Baranya County, a region with many attractions for visitors: the Mecsek Hills, the Mecsek-Siklós-Villány wine region, the spa of Harkány, Siklós, and Magyarhertelend, the Holiday Village of Hegyszentmárton, beautiful old villages and historic castles (Siklós, Szigetvár, Pécsvárad, etc.).

If you want to discover the cultural offerings of the city, one of the best   places to visit is the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. It offers several exhibitions and art events, but the Faculty (School) of Music and Arts is also located here. The Cultural Quarter received its name after the Hungarian porcelain-maker Vilmos  Zsolnay, whose products are world-famous.

The National Theatre of Pécs is located at the heart of the city on Király Street, where you can enjoy popular theatre productions and even receive a student discount for every performance.

A zoo is located in the scenic Natura 2000 park in the Mecsek Hill. Originally the goal of the zoo was to exhibit Hungarian wildlife, but recently exotic species have also moved into the park. In 2016, when the renovated Pécs Zoo was reopened and the aquarium-terrarium moved from the historic district of Pécs to Mecsek, both the territory of the park as well as the number of species featured at the zoo increased. About 1,000 animals from 250 different species reside currently at the Pécs Zoo.

Click here for a more detailed overview on what there is to do in your free time in Pécs!

Hungary

Hungary is located in Central Europe and borders seven countries: Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. The country mostly features flat plains, with low mountains in the north. With about 10 million inhabitants, Hungary is a medium-sized member state of the European Union. The official language is Hungarian. Hungary's capital and largest metropolis is Budapest.

The political system is parliamentary republic. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004 and has been part of the Schengen Area since 2007.

The currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).