THERMAL LAKE AND ECOSIDE

Zalakaros is a spa town which has turned into an economic power in the region owing to the utilisation of the upwelling thermal water as a resource. Minerals contained in the thermal spring water have enabled the construction and ongoing operation of the spa. The thermal lake may be approached via a walkway starting from Dísz Square; during this short trip, visitors can observe the Thermal Lake and the thematic locations built around it, tour the sights of the thermal lake and the ecoside.

PARKFOREST, LOOKOUT TOWER, SNAIL-TOUR NATURE TRAIL

The hill above Zalakaros is covered by forests, which is the lung of the town. On the continuation of the Park street one of the most famous sights of Zalakaros can be found, the Tower which can be seen from Zalamerenye side of the town. There is a beautiful panorama from the Tower. In case of good weather, the Kis-Balaton can be seen clearly, as well as the Balaton – Highland. At the foot of the Tower there is a winehouse. A lot of nice routes are driven from the Tower to the Parkforest.

The parkforest is the place of some sport events for example bicycle championship.

Everybody needs some relaxing hours, calm walking or family tours in our stressful world. These occasions provides energy to our mind to survive the monotonous weekdays. This nature trail provides possibility for relaxing and observing. There is no better place for the relaxing than a nice walking trail across the forest. You can recognize the changes of the seasons, and collect useful information by reading the boards during walking in the clean air. We wish you pleasant relaxing and a nice tour! Length of the nature trail is 1152 m.

SMALL-BALATON, KÁNYAVÁRI ISLAND, BUFFALO RESERVE 

The Kis-Balaton, as a huge wetland habitat is unique in the whole of Europe, which is why it has always been recorded by international nature conservation. Its wonderful world of birds was already famous in the last century; and has survived despite the draining of the marsh started in 1922. It is therefore not surprising that when Hungary joined the Ramsar Convention in 1979, the Kis-Balaton was included in the list of “Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitat”.

As a result of the reconstruction of the wetlands in the mid 1980s, waterfowl were able to return to formerly deserted habitats. The areas of favourable foraging and nesting conditions have increased by flooding of the Kis-Balaton Water Reservoir. Birds occupied the new places surprisingly fast. Even in the first year tens of thousands of migrating birds arrived to have a rest or to spend the winter here. In addition to 250 species of birds identified so far, we can find several other rare animals and plants here. It is worth to mention the Northern vole, dogfish, pond loach and some rare species of dragonflies among them. 

KIS BALATON HOUSE

Kis-Balaton House (Kis-Balaton Ház), which was opened in the year of the Millennium in Zalavár-Vársziget, looks forward to welcoming visitors, renewed and redesigned. Through exhibitions, natural values of the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS), its function for water quality protection of Lake Balaton are represented, as well as historical and ethnographical relations and values of the area are demonstrated.

KÁNYAVÁRI ISLAND

Kányavári Island, near Balatonmagyaród, is open to the public, and two watch towers have been built here. With good field glasses and with some luck, visitors may have a good view into the teeming world of the wetlands.

BUFFALO RESERVE, KÁPOLNAPUSZTA

The Buffalo Reserve was the “Visitor Site of the Year 2014 in the Balaton-felvidéki National Park”.

The visitor site plays an important role in the survival and the conservation of genome of the indigenous buffalo in Hungary, and it is the popular display center of the species since the tameness of the livestock makes direct connection possible with the visitors. The visitors become acquainted with the gentle, pitch dark animals on the path supplied with picnic area, information boards and lookout tower, and at the exhibition on buffalo history. An interactive exhibition displays the flora and the fauna of Kis-Balaton, part of the Balaton-felvidéki National Park. A car park, a snack-bar and a souvenir shop await the visitors.

The Buffalo Festival is held in the Reserve every year in May. Our guests can stroke tame animals every day, during the opening hours. The entrance ticket of the Buffalo Reserve is valid to the site where the tame animals can be stroked. The playground awaits children especially between the age of 4 and 14 years.

The Great Crested Grebe Nature Trail near Balatonmagyaród can be visited for free during the whole year. 

More information: Balaton-felvidéki National Park

KŐSZIKLA CANYON, NAGYBAKÓNAK

You can reach the municipality of Nagybakónak by leaving the old Main Road Nr. 7. This beautiful small village is a favoured excursion site.

It is no surprise that the municipality and its surroundings is a favoured starting point of excursions, as the Kőszikla-canyon offers visitors an exciting experience. This place is called Kicikla (kisszikla = small rock) in the vernacular.

Start towards the west and follow the blue sign to reach the three springs. The Árpád-spring is a memorial spring without any water. Follow the blue triangle sign to discover the beauties of the canyon. The ever deepening steep sandstone walls are an eyesight. Should you arrive after a rainy day then you can gaze at the sight of the adjacent walls. The water flowing at the bottom of the canyon arises from the rocks and trickles from the walls. While walking along the canyon, do not forget to observe the protected plant species, such as the purple cyclamen, the primrose, the mezereon, the black byrony, the vetch, and the liverwort.

More information: www.nagybakonak.hu

SIGHTSEEING IN KESZTHELY

The city is situated about 35 km from Zalakaros on the bank of Lake Balaton. The town, which is called the “capital of Balaton”, has approximately 25.000 inhabitants.

Festetics Mansion

The Festetics Mansion in Keszthely is Hungary’s most visited manor house. Today, it operates as a museum under the name of Helikon Kastélymúzeum (Helikon Mansion Museum). It has six permanent exhibitions in five buildings.

 Helikon Park

The park is the largest green area in the town. Under its vast, centuries-old trees, on the neat promenades, pleasant walks can be taken. In the middle of the main promenade, there is the domed Helikon Monument, which was erected on the centenary of the Helikon celebrations, belatedly in 1921. It became the symbol of the town.

 Georgikon House

It is the original main building of Georgikon, Europe’s first higher education agricultural institute, founded by György Festetics in 1797. However, it operates as a hotel today. It is a two-storey building with a hip roof. Its inner spaces have Prussian arches. The adjoining educational farm is the home of Georgikon Manor Museum where, in addition to the history of Hungarian agricultural high education, exhibitions on grain crop cultivation, viticulture, oenology and carriages, as well as a cartwright’s workshop and a forge-shop can be viewed.  The steam-plough, which is in a good working order, provides an impressive sight.

Balaton Museum

The oldest and still the only “official” museum of Lake Balaton exhibits the most important natural and cultural values of the “Hungarian Sea”.

The institution, which was awarded the title of the “Museum of the Year”, awaits its younger visitors with a play corner, interactive games, and special museum-pedagogical programmes, and the adult visitors with constantly renewing temporary exhibitions and cultural specialities.

The fans of Balaton can have more detailed information about the exhibitions, programmes and admission tickets of the museum on the website

Museum of torture –  Erotic Panoptikum – Nostalgia Museum

The site is a complex basement system, which extends under the Sétálóutca in Keszthely. The building structure is from the last century, which provides a suitable setting for the sights. The Panoptikum features life-size figures of 40 famous people in period costume.

Marzipan Museum

In the homely atmosphere of this confectionary own-made domestic and Viennese confectionary specialities and a confectionary exhibition comprising of almost 100 different decoration works can be found.

SIGHTSEEING IN NAGYKANIZSA

The city is situated approximately 18 km from Zalakaros. The number of its inhabitants is more than 60.000.

The Elisabeth square that was named after Queen Elisabeth can be found in the centre of the city.

In the northern part of the square can be seen the Turkish Well, which is named this way because according to local legend its octagonal stone lower part comes from the Turkish period palace.

Thúry György Museum

The exhibition in the museum entitled “People, routes and relations” begins with the display of ancient everyday life while guiding visitors into each archeological period, and finally showing the medieval castle of Kanizsa. After these it revives the “Golden Age”, 18th – 19th century, blooming Kanizsa. Computerized town and era guides colour the permanent exhibition.

Synagogue

A monument-like building which was built in the beginning of the 19th century. It has been reconstructed more times since then. Today the reconstructed building houses concerts and cultural programmes.

Downtown church

A monument, which was built in the 18th century. At the same time a Franciscan monastery was also built which today serves as the city library.

The point of interest in connection with the baroque church is that its holy water stoop once used to be a Turkish gravestone.

House of Fine Arts

The permanent exhibition of Erzsebet Brunner and Erzsebet Sas Brunner painters, as well as of painter Istvan Z. Soos.

Rowing Lake

The Rowing-lake, which can be found 5 km from the city centre, in the direction of Kaposvár, on the left side of the road, provides rowing and fishing possibilities for excursionists.

The lookout turret is located 500 metres from the lake, from where it is possible to have a view of the surrounding area and Nagykanizsa.