Hungary: Pecs

[bjorn]

Spend your night dancing with Hungarian students at a techno club, wake up at noon to a steaming cappuccino at one of Pecs' charming terraced cafes. There you'll meet a traveler who tells you about this cool village half an hour out of town (you'll go there tomorrow), explore the fascinating sights, have dinner at a traditional Hungarian restaurant, and head out to yet another incredibly hopping club. Repeat.

Sound cool? If so, go to Pecs for the weekend.

The weather is mild and pleasant. The town has a self-proclaimed "illustrious past." Pecs is packed with fascinating monuments like the Mosque Church (the largest building from the Turkish occupation still standing in Hungary), and could easily be renamed City of Many Museums. On one square block alone there are seven. Three of the museums - the Zsolnay (for porceline), the Vasarely (for Surrealist art), and Csontvary (for Op art), are truly amazing. The town is also known for its music, opera, and ballet. In addition to all this (and more), you get the best club scene this side of Budapest.

Pecs is good stopping point if you are on your way to Yugoslavia or Croatia. It's also a terrific base for day trips. The towns of Szigetvar and Harkany are about an hour away by train or bus. Szigetvar is home to Zrinyi Castle and the Ali Pasha Mosque. Harkany features hot springs that are renown for their sulphur content and healing powers. What are you waiting for?

When to go:
Anytime, though April thru October is the nicest time to visit.

What to Do:
There is plenty of activity in Pecs. It's an interesting stopping point on your travels in Eastern Europe.

History/Ruins:
Roman Ruins, the Barbakan, and Szigetvar Castle (40 minutes away by bus) beckon.

Museums:
Zsolney Porceline Museum, Vasarely Museum, Csontvary Museum, are just three, but the Tourist Board can direct you to many others.

Food/Culinary Info:
Dining at the various cafes, bars and restaurants is one of Pecs main attractions.

Nightlife/Bars:
The Pecs scene is almost as hopping as Budapest's, and offers bars and pubs as well as techno and ambient clubs.

Cafe Quotient:
Plenty of places to grab a latte while you people-watch.

Cost:
Costs are similar to those in Budapest, perhaps a bit cheaper.

Getting Around:
Regular and intercity trains make the three-hour journey to Budapest several times a day. Taking one of seven daily buses takes four hours to get to Budapest. Pecs is a relatively compact city and easily walkable.

Safety:
You can feel pretty safe here, but use common sense.

Language:
Magyar (Hungarian), mainly. Pecs is accustomed to tourists, but it is helpful to know some Hungarian or German.

Party/Social Scene:
There are several universities in Pecs, and a healthy nightclub scene has sprung up.

Interest Rating: 3 If you are not interested in museums or history, Pecs can be a bit boring for longer stays. (2 day stay recommended)


Other Info:
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