Amiable and picturesque Pécs is a lively destination in southwest Hungary. The city of 160,000 people has UNESCO World Heritage pride, a rich ensemble of landmarks and most notably, shares 2010 European Capital of Culture honors with Essen and Istanbul.

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The lovely town has a touch of Mediterranean ambiance that completely belies its location in Hungary. Indeed, the Adriatic hub of Split, Croatia is at least 600 km away, with beautiful Dubrovnik a further 300 km down the coast. Nonetheless, Pécs has a touch of seaside charm about it and exudes a seductive conviviality. From hotels in Pécs to Széchenyi square cafés, the city is incomparable.

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The Baranya County capital’s cultural credibility comes by way of a remarkable collection of theaters, museums, galleries, libraries and dozens of annual festivals and special events. Big bonus for art lovers in Pécs: Op-art pioneer Victor Vasarely was born in the city and his eponymous museum is superb (as is Aix-en-Provence’s Fondation Vasarely).

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Glorious architecture and Pécs go hand in hand. The old town cityscape is easily navigable on foot and rolls out a multitude of landmark gems. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae), Mosque of Pasha Qasim, 14^th century University of Pécs, National Theatre of Pécs, late 19^th city synagogue (the former nexus of a vibrant and vital Jewish population) and famous Pécs Brewery.

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For a great panorama of the city, visit the observation deck of Pécs TV Tower. Another staple activity is to leisurely amble through Széchenyi square, the medieval heart of old Pécs, and admire the heritage architecture. The city hall, county hall, two sculpture monuments and many other impressive landmarks can be seen here and around the twelve streets that converge on Széchenyi.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

Image by Wikimedia Commons

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