Baranya

Pécs is the fifth-largest city in Hungary and the cultural and administrative centre of Baranya County in the country's southwest, close to the Croatian border. Set on the southern slopes of the Mecsek Hills, it is known for its mild climate, Mediterranean-feeling streets and long, layered history.

Founded as the Roman settlement of Sopianae, Pécs preserves one of Hungary's most important early Christian heritage sites: the Early Christian Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Landmarks such as the four-towered St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Mosque of Pasha Qasim and the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter trace the city's Roman, medieval, Ottoman and industrial past. The city was also a European Capital of Culture in 2010.

The compact city centre centres on Széchenyi Square and the pedestrian Király Street, where cafés, restaurants, shops and historic buildings sit side by side. The Zsolnay Quarter showcases the city's celebrated porcelain heritage, while museums such as the Csontváry Museum and the Modern Hungarian Gallery draw visitors interested in Hungarian art. The forested Mecsek Hills above the city offer viewpoints, walking trails and a television tower overlooking the region.

Pécs is home to the University of Pécs, founded in 1367, and its large student population gives the city a lively, youthful character. The city is an important regional centre for education, healthcare, business and conferences, with a food and wine culture rooted in the Mecsek and nearby Villány wine regions.

For travellers, Pécs combines UNESCO-listed heritage, café culture, a creative arts scene and easy access to the Mecsek Hills and southern Hungarian wine country, making it an appealing destination for both leisure stays and business visits.