Last modification: 2025. November. 26. 09:41
Pickles, fermented vegetables, smoky zakuska, homemade jams, and roasted hazelnuts — all crafted from homegrown produce, free of additives, just like grandma used to make.
Imagine a vast body of water — over 1,000 meters deep and more than 400 times the size of Lake Balaton — once rippling across this land. The story of the Pannonian Lake is not just a fascinating chapter of geological history, but a legacy that continues to shape the region: it left behind mineral resources, fertile soils, and even inspired legends. Discover how an ancient lake transformed Transdanubia — and why its impact is still felt today.
An Inland Sea for Millions of Years
At its greatest extent, the Pannonian Lake covered an enormous area, far surpassing the size of today’s Balaton. For millions of years (approximately 12 to 8.5 million years ago), it dominated the region. As surrounding mountain ranges gradually rose, the lake became cut off from the world’s oceans. Its water slowly turned fresh, and its basin began to fill with sediments. Because of its isolation, the lake developed a unique ecosystem with many endemic species.
The Lake Didn’t Appear Overnight
The Pannonian Lake didn’t simply “appear” in the Carpathian Basin. Its formation was the result of millions of years of tectonic activity and shifting climate. It emerged as an independent, enclosed body of water — no longer connected to the open seas.
Deep Waters, Varied Shores
In some areas, the lake reached depths of over 1,000 meters. Elsewhere, shallower zones supported lagoons, river deltas, and small, isolated lakes. During high water periods, rocky shorelines formed along the mountain fringes — traces of which can still be found today in the Keszthely Hills and the Mecsek Mountains.
The Lake’s Retreat — and Sediment Legacy
Despite its size, the lake was eventually filled in by immense volumes of sediment, carried mainly by rivers flowing from the Alps and the Carpathians. Over the course of 6.5 million years, it gradually disappeared from the landscape.
What did it leave behind?
Its sediments — composed mostly of sand, clay, and fine silt — became the so-called “Pannonian formations,” which today hold key mineral resources (such as petroleum) and aquifers. These formations define much of the surface geology of Transdanubia, including the Zala Hills.
Fertile soils later formed on the laminated silty and clay-rich deposits of the Somló Formation. Even the legendary “Tihany goat’s hoof” fossils — actually worn shell fragments of the Congeria ungulacaprae mollusk — can still be found embedded in these ancient layers.
The Final Lakes and a Gradual Goodbye
Because most of the sediment entered from the northwest, north, and northeast, the lake slowly retreated toward the south and southeast — as if it were “withdrawing” from what is now Hungary.
Small remnant lakes persisted for much longer in areas of present-day Slavonia (Croatia) and northern Serbia, but due to their different scale, character, and fauna, they are not considered true successors of the ancient Pannonian Lake.
About 10,000 years ago, rapid climate warming triggered a cascade of natural responses: torrential floods, landslides, and intense rock weathering. The landscape we walk on today was not shaped over mere centuries, but by the dramatic forces of climate and water, working together. Did you know that the Zala Valley floor is made up of sediments deposited by a kind of "river of time"? Discover how the Earth’s surface became one of the most sensitive indicators of climate change.
We often associate climate change with contemporary issues, but Earth’s climate has shifted many times throughout its history — sometimes quite rapidly. Within large-scale climatic cycles, alternating periods of warming and cooling have long been part of the planet’s natural rhythm.
A change in climate sets off a chain reaction of environmental processes. It’s not just animals and plants that respond — so does the landscape itself.
Around 10,000 years ago, as the climate warmed significantly, rainfall became more intense.
More rain meant more erosion: stormwater began washing away sediment from hills and valleys into riverbeds. The rivers, now carrying more water and more sediment, flooded more often and spread these materials across the landscape.
This had a major impact on topography: the land surface became more fragmented and dynamic. Warming temperatures also sped up chemical and physical weathering, breaking down bedrock and helping fertile soil layers to develop.
In short, natural geological processes that had long been underway suddenly accelerated — and reshaped the surface of the land.
Today, in many areas of the region, the lower slopes and valley edges are coated with sediment — debris washed down from higher ground, largely within the last 10,000–20,000 years. In the Zala Valley, for instance, these deposits have spread so far that they now reach the center of the valley floor.
The original bedrock source of these sediments varies: in Zala, it’s typically Pannonian sand (Somló Formation), while in the Keszthely Hills, marine-origin carbonates dominate — mostly dolomite, with some limestone. These sediments now appear as fine gravel, pebbles, or coarse sand, quietly recording the environmental changes of the recent past.
Last modification: 2025. November. 26. 09:43
Homemade delicacies made from sun-ripened, chemical-free vegetables — straight from the pantry.
About 10,000 years ago, rapid climate warming triggered a cascade of natural responses: torrential floods, landslides, and intense rock weathering. The landscape we walk on today was not shaped over mere centuries, but by the dramatic forces of climate and water, working together. Did you know that the Zala Valley floor is made up of sediments deposited by a kind of "river of time"? Discover how the Earth’s surface became one of the most sensitive indicators of climate change.
We often associate climate change with contemporary issues, but Earth’s climate has shifted many times throughout its history — sometimes quite rapidly. Within large-scale climatic cycles, alternating periods of warming and cooling have long been part of the planet’s natural rhythm.
A change in climate sets off a chain reaction of environmental processes. It’s not just animals and plants that respond — so does the landscape itself.
Around 10,000 years ago, as the climate warmed significantly, rainfall became more intense.
More rain meant more erosion: stormwater began washing away sediment from hills and valleys into riverbeds. The rivers, now carrying more water and more sediment, flooded more often and spread these materials across the landscape.
This had a major impact on topography: the land surface became more fragmented and dynamic. Warming temperatures also sped up chemical and physical weathering, breaking down bedrock and helping fertile soil layers to develop.
In short, natural geological processes that had long been underway suddenly accelerated — and reshaped the surface of the land.
Today, in many areas of the region, the lower slopes and valley edges are coated with sediment — debris washed down from higher ground, largely within the last 10,000–20,000 years. In the Zala Valley, for instance, these deposits have spread so far that they now reach the center of the valley floor.
The original bedrock source of these sediments varies: in Zala, it’s typically Pannonian sand (Somló Formation), while in the Keszthely Hills, marine-origin carbonates dominate — mostly dolomite, with some limestone. These sediments now appear as fine gravel, pebbles, or coarse sand, quietly recording the environmental changes of the recent past.
Last modification: 2023. August. 02. 12:50
The Tourinform Office is the main information service provider for the visitors arriving in Hévíz; you should also pop in if you have any question or you want to make enquiries about any programs and events in the town. The Office is located in the walking street so it is within easy reach both for motorists and pedestrians. You’ll find a wide range of information publications (leaflets, promotional booklets, calendar of events, catalogue of accommodation, etc.) in the Tourinform Office.
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Information
Central medical service operates in in the Keszthely Hospital (8360 Keszthely, Ady street 2.)
Phone number: +36 92 321 000, or 104
The joint rescue management / dispatching tasks are carried out by the National Ambulance Service’s Operating Group of Zalaegerszeg.
The service area of the Central medical service is Hévíz, Alsópáhok, Felsőpáhok, Nemesbük and Zalaköveskút. It serves the guests staying in the town and those who come upon.
Opening hours:
Monday– Friday: 4.00 pm – 8.00 am
On weekly rest-days and public holidays: 8.00 am – 8.00 am
Paediatrician in attendance is provided within the Central medical service. The on-call time is:
Monday – Friday: 4 pm – 9 pm
On weekly rest-days and public holidays: 8 am – 12 pm, 4 pm – 9 pm
During the on-call time the paediatrician, after being called, is required to appear on the spot of the phone call within 30 minutes and provide medical attendance.
The Emergency Dental Service is provided by the Allfordent Company in Keszthely
Location: Allfordent Kft., Keszthely, Kossuth Lajos str. 7-9.
Phone number: +36 83 777 427
On-call time on weekends, holidays: 9 am - 1 pm
The Local Government of Hévíz performs a higher level of medical care by providing the Central Medical Service, whose operation hopefully will be to your and our town’s guests’ satisfaction.
The emergency medical attendance is provided free of charge for both Hungarian citizens and citizens coming from EEA member states and also outside the EEA region (Russia, Ukraine).
Dr. Szendrődi Miklós
Phone: +36 83 342-871
Consulting hours:
Monday – Friday: 7.30 - 11.00 a.m.
Tuesday: 2.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Dr. Hegedűs Mihály
Phone: +36 83 343-403
Consulting hours:
Moday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8.00 - 11.00 a.m.
Wednesday, Friday: 9.30 - 11.30 a.m.
Dr. Mikolás Andor
Phone: +36 83 342-855
Consulting hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8.00 - 12.00 a.m.
Thursday: 1.00-5.00 p.m.
Dr. Kovács Judit paediatrician
Phone: +36 83 343-382
Consulting hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8.00 - 11.00 a.m.
Thursday: 10.00 a.m. -1.00 p.m.
Place: Hévíz, József Attila str. 2.
Tavirózsa Pharmacy
Hévíz, Kossuth str. 5.
Phone:+36 83 343-421; +36 83 540-023; +36 83 540-024
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.00 a.m. -6.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.00-12.00 a.m.
Sunday: 8.00-12.00 a.m.
Balzsam Pharmacy
Hévíz, Vörösmartystr. 14.
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.00 a.m. -1.00 p.m.
Pharmacy in the Hospital
Hévíz, Dr. Schulhof Vilmos Promenade 1.
Tel.: +36 83 501 700/ 230
Opening hours:Monday – Friday:
8.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00
Saturday
8.00 – 12.00
OTP Bank
Hévíz és Vidéke Takarékszövetkezet: Széchenyi str. 66.
K&H Bank: Rákóczi str. 13/15.
Last modification: 2023. April. 01. 09:20
Last modification: 2024. August. 16. 13:38
Learn about the most important wellness treatments
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Frequently asked questions about Hévíz
Last modification: 2025. March. 19. 12:25
Wander through the charming paths of the Forest and find the music of the forest. Enjoy the soft music and the cool of the trees. You can listen to short, 15-minute micro-concerts in the secret venues hidden in the trees, once in every hour.
23 June 15.30 in the West Protective forest, on the Treetop Walkway
14 July 16.00 in the Northern Protective forest
4 August 16.00 in the Northern Protective forest
18 August 16.00 in the Northern Protective forest
8 September 16.00 in the West Protective forest, on the Treetop Walkway
15 September 16.00 in the Northern Protective forest
We reserve the right to change the program! In case of rain, the program will be held at a new time or at a different location depending on the occasion!

Step on the grass allowed! Try it, experience it, learn it, listen it, enjoy it, see it…performances, arts and craft show, creative works and many others!

20:00 Trio Brax concert
21:00 Bossa & More Concert
16:00 pART forest exhibition opening and micro-concerts in the Northern Protective Forest
Between 16:00 and 18:00 Gastronomic presentation - Tanácsa Attila's cooking school (vegan, vegan dishes)
16:00 - 20:00 Try it, experience it, learn it, listen it, enjoy it, see it... in the tents set up in the museum garden in Egregy: singing bowl session, mandala painting, lifestyle advice, right hemisphere drawing, vegan food, gastro show, craft creative sessions and much more!
16:00 Brum Bandi Band
17:50 Film: Climeate-film - film of the Balaton-Uplands National Park
18:30 Klára Hajdu and Milán Szakonyi concert
20:00 Ivett & JB Jazz concert

10:00 Morning Yoga
10:00-18:00 Try it out, experience it, learn it, listen to it, enjoy it, see it... in the tents set up in the museum garden in Egregy: sound bowl session, mandala painting, lifestyle advice, drawing with the right hemisphere, vegan food, gastro show, craft creative sessions and much more!
10:00 - 18:00 Playhouse
11:00 Gastronomy presentation with tasting - Attila Tanácsa cooking school (vegan, vegan dishes)
14:30 - Joy dance for and with seniors
15:00 Gastronomy presentation with tasting - Attila Tanácsa cooking school (vegan, vegan dishes)
15:00 Nature film: Wild Waters
16:00 Igricek concert
16:00 Caricature painting with Tibor Karnics
From 4:00 p.m. TRAVELING PLANETARIUM - new shows every hour in a traveling planetarium
Amazing universe film (from 6 years old) in English

17:00 Light musical afternoon with the Vagabond Trio and the Cséplő-Poór Duo
19:30 Krisztián Grecsó autographs
20:00 Libikóka: Grecsó & Hrutka musical literary evening

10:00 a.m. Musical nursery for the little ones
10:00-16:00 Try it out, experience it, learn it, listen to it, enjoy it, see it... in the tents set up in the museum garden in Egregy: sound bowl session, mandala painting, lifestyle advice, right hemisphere drawing, vegan food, gastro show, craft creative sessions and much more!
10:00-12:00 Playhouse
11:00 Kanga Training
15:00 Tüskevár film HU
16:00 A nagy Ho-Ho-Horgász film (The big angler) HU
17:00 Nature film entitled Wild Hungary HU
Refreshing beverages and delicious snacks every day!

The program is implemented within the framework of the Veszprém Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture program with the support of VEB2023.
Opening on August 4, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in Protective forest.
The essence of the pART project is to consider the forest itself as an art space, and let nature itself be the central component of the work of art. Art is not alien to its environment, on the contrary: it is an integral part of the landscape. The creations are not made to last forever, but are volatile and changeable, just like nature. They are part of a permanent cycle, while the forest itself becomes a gallery and also the subject of art.
We will introduce the artists and the exhibition after the opening!

Anyone who knows the area and has seen the exhibition - which is not only about the forest but also about the forest itself - will understand the choice of title. The pART forest exhibit is located on the forest path next to the northern stream of Lake Hévíz. The exhibition of more than 60 images of the wildlife in the nature reserve allows you to walk through the forest and discover the hidden beauties that are usually difficult to see with the naked eye or remain hidden during an ordinary walk. The pictures, stretched on and between trees, show wonderful birds, special plants, small animals and insects. Many of the works are paintings by nature illustrator Márton Zsoldos. The exhibition also includes a few photos taken by nature conservation guards Előd Búzás and Gábor Sinka in the immediate vicinity of Lake Hévíz.
The forest exhibition opens with a wooden gate bearing the motto of the exhibition:
"Open to nature!"

Tamás Pálffy from the organizer Hévízi Turisztikai Np Kft. emphasized that the whole Forest Ministry programme series was organized taking into account the nature conservation, sustainability and green event aspects. Each event tries to leave as small an ecological footprint as possible, and in all its elements it strives to bring people, nature and cultural experiences closer together in a way that only interferes with nature in a small but in no way harmful way.
For this exhibition, recycled wooden picture frames donated by local residents were used, and sugar cane was used for fixing. The forest exhibition is expected to be on display until 30 September, but this may change depending on the use of natural materials and weather conditions. Durability was not an objective in this case.
However, the gate will remain! Because whether or not there is a pART Forest Tour in the Hévíz Forest, the message is always the same: Open to nature!
The stage plays are held in the Protective Forest, at the crossing near to the Water Lily Trail.
We can provide 60 places to sit, attendance is free of charge!
All plays are held in Hungarian!

15 July Saturday 17:00 Kacor Király (King Kacor) performance for children - performed by the Hahota Children's Theater
19 August Saturday 16:00 A császár új ruhája (The ceasars new clothes) performance for children - performed by the Hahota Children's Theater
26 September Tuesday 10:00 Mátyás király és az uzsorás (King Matthias and the usury performance for children - performed by the Hahota Children's Theater

Zoltán Tamás Samu geocoach will lead the tours. On the nearly 2-hour geotour, we can get to know many unique species, from the swamp cypress and the protected forest, from the marsh cypress to the waterlilies. What gives the Hévíz forest its speciality and uniqueness? You will get know the landscape specifications! The maximum number of participants is about 15 people.

The guided tours are held in Hungarian (except 2 times, which will be held in German!)
30 April 14.00
27 May 16.00
24 June 16.00
14 July 10.00
16 July 10.00 - in German
19 July 11.00
4 August17.00
6 August 10.00- in German
8 September 14.00
7 October 15:00
21 October 15:00

Duration of the tours 120 minutes.
Regitstration
By phone at the tour guide, Tamás Zoltán Samu: +36 30 414 9009 By phone at the Tourinform office every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 06 83 540 131
The main aim of the program is to see the forest as a protected natural value while we also show it as an existing place for culture and art. We would like to connect the man-nature-art trio to each other to create a new unity with the help of cultural events.
Last modification: 2022. September. 26. 09:11
Last modification: 2022. July. 12. 11:30
Hévíz-Egregy/ 7,95 km/ ascent: 75 m Distance: 7,95 km | Ascent: 75 m | Difficulty: easy
Hévíz-Egregy bikeroutr map
Distance: 27 km | Ascent: 413 m | Difficulty: difficult, mountain bikes are recommended
Hévíz-Rezi-Cserszegtomaj-Hévíz map
Distance: 17,6 km | Ascent: 100 m | Difficulty: easy
Hévíz-Keszthely-Hévíz route on map
Distance: 54 km | Ascent: Elevation: 264 m | Difficulty: moderately hard
Type of the roads: dirt road along the River Zala to Szentgyörgyvár and the Kis-Balaton visitor centre, asphalted cycle path between the visitor centre and Kányavári island. On the way back: side road between Zalavár and Alsópáhok.
Hévíz-Kis-Balaton (Kányavári-Island) - Hévíz - map of the route.
Distance: 38,6 km | Ascent: 153 m | Difficulty: easy
Type of the roads: cycle path all the way long
Hévíz-Balatongyörök Szépkilátó - Hévíz map of the route.
Distance: 47 km (5 km by boat) | Ascent: 138 m | Type of the road: cycle path or bicycle lane on a low-traffic road
Boat timetable: Please note that the tour can only be completed in the summer months! Usually, the boat departs at 10.10 in the morning from Balatonmáriafürdő to Balatongyörök, and the return boat departs at 10.45 from Balatongyörök to Balatonmáriafürdő. During the high season (from 02.07 to 31.08.) there are three boats a day between the two piers.
West Bay Round trip map
Choose an outdoor spot for sports activities whenever it is possible. While you are on holiday, a lake-shore area, the edge of a forest or a park could be the most ideal spot for active recreation.
Hévíz and its surroundings provide you with good cycling facilities; there are a number of built cycle tracks and marked cycle routes. While cycling, you can get to know the towns and superb landscapes of the Balaton Highlands, the volcanic hills and the valleys hiding between the shore hills as well as the wildlife of the Kis-Balaton. You can hire a bike in various places, including tourist offices, hotels and even guest houses.
From January 2021, we await our guests with a whole new set of bicycles, e-bikes!
| 3 hours |
24 hours |
3 or more days |
|
| Classic bicycle |
4 900 Ft | 6 900 Ft | 6 500 Ft/day |
| e-bike - NEUZER |
6 000 Ft | 9 000 Ft | 8 000 Ft/day |
| e-Trekking BIANCHI | 9 000 Ft | 14 000 Ft | 12 500 Ft/day |
| e-MTB fully BIANCHI | 14 000 Ft | 22 000 Ft | 20 000 Ft/day |
/We reserve the right to change./
Pick-up and Return:
Bikes can be collected at the Tourinform Hévíz office and must be returned to the same place no later than 30 minutes before closing time, or stored overnight in a locked place. Rental extension is possible with an extra fee (grace period max. 30 minutes).
Payment:
The rental fee must be paid in advance. Accepted payment methods: cash, bank card, SZÉP card. Payment is made in HUF.
Equipment and Accessories:
Bikes are handed over in proper technical condition. Helmets, child seats, phone holders, baskets, panniers, and bottle holders are available on request. E-bikes are provided fully charged.
Use:
The renter must comply with traffic regulations and use the bike properly. It is forbidden to leave the bike unattended or unlocked. Overnight, it should be stored in a locked or guarded place whenever possible.
Liability:
After collection, all risks are borne by the renter. The renter is financially responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of the bike, as well as for any damages or violations caused with the bike. Any damage must be reported and settled immediately upon return.
Data Protection:
Personal data required for the rental will be processed by Hévízi Turisztikai Nonprofit Kft. in accordance with its privacy policy.
This summary is for informational purposes only. The detailed terms and conditions are set out in the rental agreement signed on site.