Natural attractions in the area

Nature is capable of unrepeatable wonders that can amaze you day after day. Here are some of the places worth visiting in the area:

Balaton-Uplands National Park
Lookout towers, hiking trails in the Keszthely Hills
Kis-Balaton Visitor Centre
Kányavár Island - Kis-Balaton
Csodabogyós (Butcher’s-broom) Cave - Balatonederics
Kotsy Water Mill - Zalaszántó
Buffalo Reserve - Balatonmagyaród
Szent György Hill basalt organs
Balaton Museum permanent exhibition - Keszthely
House of Nature - Gyenesdiás
Festetics Imre Zoo - Gyenesdiás
Szépkilátó (Lookout point) - Balatongyörök
Africa Museum - Balatonederics
Tapolca Lake Cave - Tapolca
Levendula House - Tihany

Castles, palaces, ruins

The western tip of Lake Balaton is rich in castle ruins. From the remains of the castles on Rezi, Tátika and Csobánc hills, you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of Lake Balaton and the buttes. In Szigliget and Sümeg, knights’ tournaments and jousting events are held several times a week. The Festetics Palace in Keszthely is not only one of the most beautiful and largest palaces in Hungary, but its exhibitions (carriages, hunting trophies, model railways, travels of the aristocrats, palm house) provide varied programmes for several days, should the weather take a turn for the worse.

Festetics Palace - Keszthely

Szigliget Castle - Szigliget

Sümeg Castle - Sümeg

Rezi Castle - Rezi Hill

Tátika Castle - Tátika Hill

Csobánc Castle - Csobánc Hill

Star Castle - Balatonszentgyörgy

Museums that are far from being boring

Museums aren't the first thing you think of when you are on holiday. However, a good museum is a nice alternative when the weather turns unfavourable. Some museums are worth visiting even in good weather. The exhibitions at Festetics Palace are well worth a visit, and the permanent exhibition on the history of Lake Balaton at the Balaton Museum is surprisingly interesting for children and adults alike. In Keszthely, there are several smaller museums in the town centre, from the Erotic Wax-Works to the Snail Parliament. These small exhibitions can be visited during a walk around the town. For those who are more interested in nature, we recommend the House of Nature, in the neighbourhood of which you can also find the Imre Festetics Animal Park. And while cycling along the Balaton bike path, you can visit the Water Mill and Spice Garden in Gyenesdiás.