Pécs region for Families - 5 days

If you prefer to take your tours with a ‘professional’, just hop on to the little sightseeing train on wheels and listen carefully. The Dotto train is genuinely local and may even know things that people from Pécs may not be aware of. It takes you around Pécs in 50 minutes, and during your journey you’ll meet many smiling and waving locals, as well as covering a large part of the town: the tour starts on the main square and runs up to the Zsolnay Quarter through the narrow streets so typical of Pécs, and some busy roads as well. If you are lucky enough, the driver will even ‘drift’ the train to entertain young passengers. The train on wheels operates every day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and leaves on the hour every hour from right in front of the Nagy Lajos Secondary Grammar School, returning to the same place. The terminus could not be in a better place, since from here you can start your trip around Pécs and discover the city’s World Heritage relics. As you pass through Káptalan utca, you will see one of the favourite sights of the people of Pécs, the first padlock fence in the country. There are only legends about how it came into being in Pécs and no-one knows anything for sure, but what we do know is that every local youngster and their love put a padlock on the fence. End the day with a visit to the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre, which is not far from here. The ancient tombs, which are protected as World Heritage sites, are one of the most important places in Pécs. Don’t worry if the city tour lasts into the night: the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre offers exciting night-time guided tours that the kids will love.

The best place to exploring the Cultural Capital is the ‘miniature town’, built on the site of what was once the Zsolnay Porcelain Manufactory, in the Zsolnay Quarter, the cultural centre of Pécs. The Quarter is paradise for families, because it has so many fun attractions that children will enjoy just as much as the grown-ups. Take a pleasant walk through the street dedicated to shops selling handmade products, then briefly stop at the Bóbita Puppet Theatre. The puppet theatre, which is almost 60 years old, offers exciting and unique shows, but you can also take part in one of the puppet-making workshops. There is a café in the building, where you can sit down and rest before continuing an exciting day. Then head to the planetarium and on the way, try the fun outdoor toys. The very first optical planetarium of the country takes you on a journey through time and helps you discover the universe. And there is more to see here for kids who are interested in the sciences. Check out the most super-awesome physics class in the entire Quarter and experiment with sounds, collisions and liquid nitrogen. Once you have had your fun in the Quarter, head for the town centre.

If you are planning on spending several days in one of the most beautiful cities in Hungary, perhaps it’s time to make your way outside. After all, the region hides a thousand secret treasures of its own. If you packed your hiking boots, then you should head to the forest. The winding hiking routes of Mecsek attract thousands of walkers every year. It’s no wonder, since the flora and fauna of the region is unique, so much so that it even fascinated famous Hungarian nature-goer Pál Rockenbauer. This is why the South Transdanubian Blue Trail – which cuts right through the Mecsek Mountains, leading you straight to the most beautiful natural sights of the Baranya region – was named after him. The trail also includes the Abaliget Dripstone Cave, which is one of the most interesting sights of the region, at almost 500 metres long. There is also a legend about the healing cave and stream, according to which the people of Abaliget hid in the cave when the Ottoman army roamed the land, but the Ottomans found the hideout and tried to smoke the locals out. They did not succeed, because the people of Abaliget were a smart lot and found an exit in the back of the cave, and once they were out, they attacked the enemy from behind.

Start your day on top of Misina Hill, where the 197-metre tall Pécs TV Tower looms over the town. The view is simply unforgettable. During lunch time, you can even enjoy a pleasant meal in the television tower on top of the world.

To top off your visit to this part of the country, visit the Thermal Bath of Harkány, one of the best places in Hungary to heal. You can soak your tired body in the healing thermal water, as well as enjoying the monthly family and night activities. Spend as much time in the water as you can, for the thermal water in Harkány is unique in Europe, with its mineral content exceeding 1,000 mg per litre. From a medical point of view, the most important mineral in the water is carbonyl sulphide, which helps to rebuild and replace the sulphur-containing compounds that make up joints. Water comes from a depth of 50-70 metres, with an average temperature of 62°C when it reaches the surface, making the hours of healing truly relaxing.