There are a few picturesque places in Hungary, which are blessed with many attractions, like Keszthely and its surroundings. I will show you what to see in the area.
The western tip of Lake Balaton has many interesting attractions for the traveler, which are difficult to list. Lookouts and hiking trails, castles, fortifications, many interesting museums, and of course the magnificent view of Lake Balaton. Let me guide you to this wonderful area.
Why do I recommend Keszthely and its surroundings?
There are few areas in Hungary that are more romantic than the Zala Hills and its surroundings. The Keszthely coastline and the surrounding settlements together provide an experience that you will surely not forget.
It is both modern and old-fashioned, with culture and history present, while having fun is not a problem. I have put together for you a small list of what is worth seeing in the northwestern region of Lake Balaton.
Keszthely
1. Festetics Castle
2. Amazon House
3. Marzipan Museum
4. Doll Museum
5. Julia Szendrey Memorial House
6. Helikon Park
7. Fenyves Alley
8. Skate Park
9. Music pavilion and pier
Hévíz
10. Lake Hévíz
11. The Hévíz River
12. Egregy wine region
The best beaches in the region of Keszthely
13. Balatongyenes beach
14. Vonyarcvashegy beach
15. Balatongyörök beach
Little Balaton
16. The Fairytale Island of Black Kite Castle
17. Buffalo Reserve
Szigliget
18. Best hiking trails
Badacsony
19. Wine cellars in Badacsony
Badacsonytomaj
20. Hiking trail in Badacsonytomaj
Hike around Keszthely
21. The Gyenesdias Great Field
22. Beautiful Lookout
Spiritual purification and castle ruins
23. The Rezi Castle
24. The Sümeg Castle
25. Zalaszántó Stupa
Sights in Keszthely
What you shouldn’t miss: Festetics Castle
When we get to the city, almost the first thing to see is the Festetics Castle towering from a distance, which has inevitably become a symbol of the settlement. The structure reached its final shape in 1880, so we can discover elements of several styles. The building itself is Baroque, but its towers and some parts of the building, which were later added, bear Neo-Baroque and Neo-Roco features.
The castle has 101 rooms, which now function as a museum, so we can admire the daily life of the once luxurious life of the Count’s family. Rooms of different colors and functions make for real-time travel.
The Mirror Room is still the venue for many events, and there are hardly any Keszthely residents who are not married here, between the impressive walls.
Helikon Library
The Helikon Library was built by George I. Festetics between 1799 and 1801. It is the largest aristocratic library in Europe.
The incredible 80.000 volumes of the Helikon Library were not damaged during World War II, for it was walled- with furniture- in to be protected against plunderers. However, quite a few valuables were lost in the ensuing perilous times.
The largest aristocratic library in Europe.
The library is also a research site, so anyone can use it, although there is no way to borrow books there. Interestingly, the oldest volume of the library is János Thuróczi’s “Chronicle of Hungarians”, written in Latin in 1488! In the four corners of the Helikon Library are white marble busts, named after the four seasons.
400-year-old peduncle oak
Not only the building itself, but its park is quite spectacular, a nature reserve. A truly romantic and passable part with its 42 acres.
There are many special tree species here, but one of the visitors’ favorite is the nearly 400-year-old and rugged sessile oak, which is popularly hugged and captured by visitors. We dare to report that there are few families who wouldn’t have had at least one “tree-hugging” photo of him/her if he/she was here.
The Palm House is a collection of curiosities
For real nature enthusiasts, there are a few more surprises in the Festetics Castle Park. The Palm House is home to so many exotic plants. It introduces species collected from Tahiti to Florida, as well as the crop plants and their importance in our own environment.
Initially, in the 1880s, it served as a so-called plant sanatorium and kept the palm trees and larger plants of the castle. Today, however, visitors can admire the diverse and rare vegetation of the world, being Europe’s second-largest collection.
It is worth noting that the building’s structural elements were made in Gustave Eiffel’s workshop in Paris. In addition to the already dying out species found in only a few places, the collection also includes plants used in our everyday life. These may even not be recognized by many people if they see them unpacked on store shelves. The purpose of this exhibition is to raise awareness of environmentally conscious thinking and the importance of environmentally sound management.
The Bird Park and its loudest inhabitants
Since 2016, a bird park has been added to the list of attractions in the castle, featuring pheasants and peacocks along with 40 different species of waterfowl.
Those who love bird specialties have good news: the world’s smallest water bird, the Hottentotta duck, is also found here. For the visitors, the park is sure to be an unforgettable experience, as in addition to admiring extraordinary species up close, they can even feed them by hand if the birds want it. And they want it because they are so gentle.
The black swan, for example, is particularly fond of caressing his neck. It almost always requires us to deal with it. 🙂
Hunting Museum: a collection of exotic animals
The range of attractions in the park expanded further. The hunting exhibition is also a must-see with its rich and uncommon collection of animals, which include several world records.
The Festetics family once had significant hunting activities, so many trophies decorated the castle’s various points, such as the billiard room. However, these memories disappeared during the war, but without a presentation of the hunting past, we could not have a complete picture of the life of the Count’s family.
This is how this exhibition was created, featuring trophies of nearly 200 huntable game species killed on five continents. Animals are known through their natural habitat. The exhibition also includes a fine arts and crafts section, which presents the aristocratic hunting culture as a whole.
Model Railroad Exhibition
Next to Festetics Castle, a new museum building houses the 3-section 500m2 model railroad, making it one of the largest terrain tables in Europe.
We can see a real mini replica of the real train stations’ locomotives. The creators perfectly mapped the rails between the mountains, the valleys and thousands of buildings.
The railway network in the area is also in front of us, so we can easily map the surrounding settlements such as Badacsonytomaj or Sümeg, but even the cross-border Alpine lines found their places on the terrain table.
It is a must-have family program that will definitely engage not only adults but also children. Once mentioning the kids. Do you want to do programs that kids enjoy when you are in Budapest? Then read my article on this.
Festetics Castle Park
Don’t miss the Festetics Castle Park, and there are plenty of exciting places for culture lovers.
If Keszthely, then it’s about museums
The city is not too big, but it has an amazing number of museums and exhibition halls.
Amazon House
The building complex, which was once not very bright in Keszthely, was, say, a run-down part, and it was only because of its high-quality and cult-rock bar that it was popular, has become a high-quality visitor center, of course, especially among young people.
Not only the building but also the Amazon House area has been beautifully renovated and now we can see an exciting exhibition in it, named “Baronial travels, travel adventures”. Be it land, sea or air travel, an interactive presentation introduces the tools that serve them from the start.
Marzipan Museum
A few hundred meters from the castle is the Mecca of the Sweet tooth, the Marzipan Museum. The museum, in addition to all that, of course, also works as a confectionery, presenting in about 20 showcases, on 50 m2, the beautiful works of the owner Jenő Simonfai and his wife, Ágnes.
One of the pearls of these works is the marzipan mock-up of the Festetics Castle, but there are also many interesting pieces. After viewing the exhibition, though, make sure to deal with a barbecue if you are already here.
Doll Museum
If you really want to get to know Hungarian culture and people, you really have to dig down to the roots. The Doll Museum will help with this, where it will show the changes through the costume, through ages, while giving the viewer a little more insight into the country’s history and customs.
In addition to the folk costumes and customs of the various settlements, the museum also features contemporary buildings. For example, dwellings and churches, which due to the special illumination, recreate the atmosphere of contemporary villages.
Julia Szendrey Memorial House
Keszthely gave many famous people to the country, including Julia Szendrey, who became the lover and wife of the tragic Hungarian poet and revolutionary Sándor Petőfi.
Indeed, romance sweeps around the city. Julia’s birthplace is Újmajor, Keszthely. Her father was the clerk of the Festetics estate, and Julia was an excellent poet and writer alongside her husband. In honor of her, a memorial room has been created where we can better see the life and past of a talented woman, having a sad destiny.
Wonderful walks, regardless of the season
There are so many sights to see in the city. Still, the atmosphere of Keszthely is probably the best to feel when you take a great stroll from the main square, where you can find the castle, the pedestrian street with shops, restaurants, the theater, and the main square parish church all the way to Lake Balaton.
Helikon Park
As we walk toward the “pavcsi” as the locals call it, the pavilion line, full of restaurants, one is better than the other, nice little wine bars, be sure to pass Helikon Park.
The park is very popular with tourists as well as the people living here, as the cozy, tree-lined promenade is not only suitable for sports, dog running, but also for a romantic bench-dated rendezvous.
Top romantic places in Budapest
Of course, as in almost every corner of the city, we can find culturally important sites, such as the Helikon Monument. The domed building on the pillars commemorates the Helikon festivities, which, not surprisingly, is again made according to the German model, thanks to a Festetics. There was a literary “festival” which attracted scholars and literary artists from the area, and ever since its popularity has continued to soar.
Fenyves Alley
For long walks, there is a small sporting lane on the road 71 towards Balatonszentgyörgy, on the two sides of a black pine tree line, which leads straight to the Roman ruins of Fenékpuszta.
On the so-called Fenyves Alley (Pine Alley) , there is a Nordic walking route, but it is exciting to take a bike tour or a walk here.
Its history is that it was planted in the 1880s by the wife of Tasziló Festetics, Mary Hamilton, the divorced wife of the Duke of Monaco, as one of her favorite pastimes was riding a horse-drawn carriage. In order to keep the activity running smoothly, the Countess sometimes ordered that the branches of trees should be cut to a height of 4-5 meters, which is still an amazing sight.
It’s not an ordinary love story anyway for Taszilo and Mary. It’s kind of real movie stuff. Mary, of the Scottish and English noble families, is the heir to the throne, thanks to her husband in Monaco, rather than looking at her rank and scandal chose divorce, being not an everyday event at that time and married Tassilo Festetics.
Later, she became a Hungarian countess. They had real and great love. After Mary died, her husband built a mausoleum in her memory, which we can still admire in Keszthely, at the St. Nicholas Cemetery (Szent Miklós temető). I know you may not come across a lot of travel recommendations that offer you a cemetery. But this otherwise recently renovated building is a worthy memory of true love, so I think it’s worth a walk.
The beach and the surrounding area
After so much romance, it is good to cool down, so one of the three main beaches of Keszthely is an obvious choice. If you don’t want to take a swim in Lake Balaton or go for some water sports, the area around the City Beach also offers some exciting opportunities.
Skate park
Not far from the aforementioned pavilion line, we find one of our youth favorites, Skate Park, where we always find some extreme athletes, from beginners to slightly more professional ones. In winter, if Lake Balaton does not freeze; and unfortunately, it’s rare nowadays, here is set up an urban ice rink with mulled wine and other vendors as it is needed to be done.
Music pavilion and pier
Walking towards the beach, you will find the Music Pavilion, which gives home to many events at any time of the year, not to mention the beautiful pier.
Not far from the stage, the park has a playground and an outdoor exercise park, so both the little ones and the big ones will find the right entertainment for them.
And if you want to feel a little closer to Lake Balaton, be sure to take a stroll out to the pier, where you can stare at the great blue space with a fine coffee, or, if we don’t stop there, head for a little cruise.
A cruise ship departing from the harbor is sure to be one of our favorite programs to take in the beautiful panorama while easily exploring the surrounding towns, such as Balatongyörök, Szigliget or Badacsony.
Sights in Hévíz
As we leave the borders of Keszthely, there are already many exciting settlements waiting for us. For those who would like to break away from Lake Balaton a bit and want to devote themselves only to hedonistic recreation, we recommend not to miss the city of Hévíz.
The most important spa in the area is Lake Hévíz
The well-known thermal water and lake of Hévíz, which is famous in the far land, provides not only relaxation for people with musculoskeletal disorders but also for anyone who wants to relax a bit.
The beneficial effects of the medicinal water were probably already known to the Romans, but the Germanic and Slavic people passing through there also used the lake. Nobody will be surprised, but Festetics got possession of the spring and the area, this is how they started to develop the spa, which has now grown into a real complex.
Lake Hévíz
As we get closer to the settlement, the smell of sulfur, slightly egg-like, strikes us from afar, but it should not discourage anyone, the water is really very beneficial.
Accordingly, there are many bathing complexes to choose from where you can get everything you need, from sitting in the water, through the gym and massaging, to the mud pack.
The hotels around the Lake have created very small mini-towns. Not only wellness services await us in the hotels, but also hairdressers, restaurants and shops, everything is in these hotels and you will feel reluctant to move out of them.
The Hévíz river, or the dam
However, if you don’t even want to soak among the many tourists, or if you aren’t the ones sitting around at the hotel, then I have a much more romantic tip. One of the locals’ favorite “secret” places is the Hévíz outflow or dam, which awaits the people who want to enjoy the medicinal water free of charge, out of the crowd.
photo: index.hu
Let’s be prepared that there is no comfort facility here, but it is an amazing experience to bathe in the midst of water roses. It expects swimmers to swim from April to October with twenty-eight degrees. It’s already a matter of taste, who can bear being outside after coming out of the warm water.
Its deepest point is not more than 140 centimeters, but it definitely requires attention, especially when traveling with small children, as there is no pool supervisor, we can use it only at our own risk.
I also have good news for extreme sports lovers; during the Hévíz creek tours, it is possible to go kayaking along the route. We only have this option from November to mid-March, so if you want to experience it, write it down in your calendar, because it’s not an everyday experience.
Egregy wine region
And if we are already in Hévíz, we should mention the Egregy wine region and wine taverns. Just a 25-minute walk from the city, the wine cellars offer an unforgettable gastronomic experience, making it a worthwhile end to a bathing day.
The best beaches in the region of Keszthely: Balatongyenes, Vonyarcvashegy, Balatongyörök
Still, the most attractive tourist attraction in this region is the “Hungarian Sea” itself, or Balaton, on the shores of which many beaches have been created. Depending on size and equipment, there are many different bathing areas waiting for us.
Balatongyenes beach
Balatongyenes is very close to Keszthely; it is a very small settlement. However, its Diás game Beach (Diási játékstrand) is almost on the list of the top 5 beaches every year.
Lidóbeach 
Diás game Beach 
Diás game Beach
With family-friendly rates, it offers active recreation on the beautifully maintained beach. But for those who prefer a little more secluded, less crowded beach, we can recommend the Balatongyenes Lidóbeach, where a real family atmosphere awaits the bathers.
Vonyarcvashegy beach
We don’t have to go much further to reach another award-winning beach: Vonyarcvashegy Beach has a grassy and sandy beach, plenty of restaurants and lots of active programs, whether boating, volleyball or water-skiing.
Balatongyörök beach
The third member of the beach triumvirate is Balatongyörök, which also has a water paradise, where pools, playgrounds, and a well-kept sandy beach await the bathers.
The beach is adjudged the best blue wave flag every year, and in 2015 it received the most popular Balaton Beach award of the year. So, if you want to bathe, sunbathe and enjoy lake Balaton, there is no shortage of quality beaches in the area. Let’s just make the choice.
Little Balaton
The little brother of Lake Balaton is the Little Balaton
You do not have to go to the neighboring area for a little excursion, but you really should, since one of the most exciting green areas, the Little Balaton is not far from Keszthely. The area is the mouth of the Zala River, whose water level has always been volatile. Most of its territory is protected.
Why is it called Little Balaton if it is not physically closely linked to Lake Balaton? The answer is simple: until the 19th century, it was the extension of Lake Balaton, so they formed a unity.
photos: szentorban.com
Together with the Zala River, it played a so-called filtering function, thus purifying the water reaching Lake Balaton. As a result of human intervention, the area gradually disappeared in the 20th century and the water quality of Lake Balaton began to deteriorate considerably.
The Zala River now puts its sediment in the Bay of Keszthely. Recognizing this, the artificial flooding and rehabilitation of the marshland began, and today it has become a highly protected, yet enjoyable and beautiful area.
The Fairytale Island of Black Kite Castle (Kányavári-sziget)
One of the most exciting parts of Little-Balaton is the island of the Black Kite Castle, which is easily accessible without a guide and is the most popular among visitors. The fabulous island can be reached via an interesting wooden bridge, containing 15 stations, you can walk along the nature trail called Lesser-spotted grebe, which is 1.5 km long.
In the middle of the island, you can even see a multi-level birdwatcher, a little further away, and in the meadow, there is a restored playground. It is perfect for family activities. The area is full of green and often rare plants and birds, so it is definitely worth a walk.
The fairy tale region has already inspired many, including the famous Hungarian writer István Fekete, the plot of whose youth novel Tüskevár (Spike fortress) takes place here. This book is one of the 12 most popular novels in Hungary that you can safely turn to if you plan to go here. And anyway…
Buffalo Reserve
It also belongs to Little-Balaton and is worth a visit to the Kápolnapuszta Buffalo Reserve, where Hungary’s largest buffalo herd is grazing.
Being in the reserve, while exploring the wildlife of Little-Balaton, you can see a buffalo history tour on the interactive walkway. On this particular walkway, the scene was made even more exciting with playful elements, rest areas, and lookouts – where we can look at the landscape with binoculars.
Of course, a petting zoo is waiting for the visitors, too, so we can also meet the species that live here up close.
Hiking for beginners and advanced: Szigliget
As mentioned at the beginning, the Zala Hills area and its surroundings, as well as the western and northern parts of Lake Balaton, have plenty of exciting sights, and this is especially true for hiking destinations and hiking trails.
Szigliget, the volcanic peninsula
Szigliget is located on the north shore, halfway between Keszthely and Badacsony. The peninsula is surrounded by hills of volcanic rocks. We can talk about a really ancient countryside, it was inhabited during the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, but Celtic, Roman and Avar finds were also discovered here.
Best hiking trails
Szigliget Castle is one of the few castles in Hungary, where the Ottoman flag fluttered during 150 years of Turkish occupation, but it is not only worth visiting because of that. Already the amazing environment where it is located and the view are well worth the walk.
From here starts a varied small hike for those who want to move. The route leads from the castle through the Kamon-stone study trail to the Rókarántó (Fox grabbing) chapel then back to the Old Village. The length of the tour is slightly over 7 kilometers, with a slight elevation.
The Kamon Stone Study Trail takes you through a wooded, shady area until you reach the Kamon Volcano Rock Formation. From here, due to the densely overgrown vegetation, there is no view, but if we continue our journey, we will arrive at a junction, where, if we take a small detour to the right, we will find an amazing panorama of Lake Balaton.
During the whole tour, we can often see such a beautiful sight in some parts we can see Antal Hill, but even Saint George’s Hill and Badacsony. Coming to Rókarántó Road, we find ourselves in one of the most intimate parts of Szigliget: real wine-press houses and a cozy little chapel welcome us here.
From the Holy Trinity Chapel, which for some inexplicable reason was bombed in World War II, the view is beautiful, and even the next destination, the hills of the Old Castle, can be easily seen from here.
A steep flight of stairs leads to the Old Town Lookout, which at first seems frightening, but let it be clear that this is the destination. The remnants of the fortification here used to be the outskirts of the once existing castle of Szigliget, but today only traces are found. From here you can see the Badacsony and the Lake Balaton. From here we can easily return to our starting point through the village.
One of the oldest points of Lake Balaton is Badacsony
Perhaps the most characteristic and highest point of Lake Balaton is Badacsony with its 437.4 meters, which is a slightly coffin-shaped volcanic mountain. Its cozy vineyards, often bizarre rock formations, give the place an unforgettable atmosphere, so it’s no wonder that it is one of the most beloved destinations.
It was formed about 4.5 million years ago when volcanic activity over the Pannonian Sea led to the formation of a basalt-like mountain like other witness-mountains in the basin.
Wine cellars in Badacsony
Due to its location, it is perfectly suitable for wine production, so when you go around, you will meet many wineries that you should not miss if you want to taste really good Balaton wine.
Badacsonytomaj
Before embarking on a hike on the mountain, it is worth a look around Badacsonytomaj. In the area, there are several famous wine taverns, such as the Hertelendy one. It is worth exploring the neo-Roman style, Roman Catholic Church of St. Imre, built of basalt.
One of the famous inhabitants of the place was Sándor Kisfaludy, Hungarian poet and his first wife Róza Szegedy, whose former place of residence can be seen if we are already there. Furthermore, the Sándor Kisfaludy wine-press house is a must-see, even just because of the restaurant.
For art lovers, we definitely recommend the Egry József, also known as the painter of Balaton, Memorial Museum, where besides the works of the master, periodically pictures of contemporary artists are also exhibited.
The most beautiful hiking trail in Badacsonytomaj
On the mountain, a thematic nature trail, called Kuruc Road, leads up to the peak. This is a moderately difficult tour. So, let’s get ready with the equipment, too, so non-slip shoes, proper clothing and of course liquid, because there is no water on the mountain. What awaits us are short but steep hillsides, lots of stairs, and amazing views, and sights.
The tour starts from the area next to the Kisfaludy House and we do not stop after a slightly steep climb to the famous Rose-stone, where you will find a lookout and a resting place.
Rose-stone 
Of course, this basalt rock is accompanied by a legend according to which, if a young couple sits on the heart-shaped stone in the position that their backs face the Balaton, then they will get married that year. But you don’t have to worry if you want to look at the lake instead of marriage. So, the couples just shall be careful regarding where they sit down to relax.
There are plenty of cozy vineyards and wine-press houses along the way, as well as the history of rock sacks and stone seas. The next stop is the Stairs of those in exile (Bújdosók lépcsője), which has 464 steps made of not processed basalt cubes, through which leads the road to the peak.
However, it is advisable to stop for a short rest here, considering 464 steps to be ascended. As we ascend to the top of the stairs, we find ourselves in the Czinka Panni rest area. We’ll need a little stop, but don’t miss the Tördemic lookout, just a few meters away, which offers a wonderful view of Szigliget.
photo: temeszetjaro.hu
We reach the highest point of Badacsony, the Kisfaludy Lookout, through a beautiful shady beech forest. From the top floor of the 16-meter, three-story lookout tower, you will see an amazing panorama of the Tapolca Basin, Lake Balaton, Bakony and Keszthely Mountains.
Before descending back, it’s a good idea to make a detour, as one of the trails leads to the top of the basalt organs, where you can see the extraordinary witness mountains. One thing is sure, even if it is a bit tiring, we can leave this place with not an everyday experience.
Hike around Keszthely
We need to get back to Keszthely and its immediate surroundings because here we also have exciting hiking trails.
The Gyenesdias Great Field
The Keszthely Mountains are famous for their beautiful panorama and variety. One of the most popular places for hiking in the mountains is the Nagymező, which is located next to Gyenesdiás, where families often go out for a walk or for making barbecue.
For those who are in the more enterprising mood, we recommend the 11-kilometer hike, which can easily be completed on foot. During the hike to the Festetics lookout tower on Mount Varsás, it is worth climbing up because of the spectacular view of Lake Balaton and the whole city if the weather permits.
Beautiful Lookout (Szépkilátó) – Balatongyörök
There is no shortage of lookouts in the area, for example, if we head towards Balatongyörök we find another, but shorter, hiking trail again with a wonderful view. The starting point is at the beautiful lookout hill of Balatongyörök, but it is worth spending a little time here as well: we can see the whole Balaton, Szigliget and Badacsony.
Slightly steep paths and forest paths take us from one lookout tower to the other lookout tower, such as the Batsányi lookout tower or the Matthias Bél lookout on the top of Garga Hill, where we can admire the landscape from a slightly different perspective. Going downhill, the idyllic clearing of the Bélap Valley is the perfect place to relax, play or make barbecue.
Spiritual purification and castle ruins
After the rows of forests and lookouts, I can offer to you more sights to see.
The Rezi Castle
The Rezi Castle is located on the Keszthely Plateau, on a prominent 427-meter rock ridge, which has always been mainly privately owned by noble families. It never had too much combat value.
It was destroyed during the Turkish occupation, but in 2000 the restoration of collapsing walls and archaeological work began, and today it is free to visit.
You can also reach the castle via the official National Blue Hiking Trail, so you can take a look at this ancient sight.
The Sümeg Castle
Among the castles in the area, it is worth mentioning the Sümeg Castle, which rises on the western tip of the Balaton Uplands, not far from Keszthely, at the top of a lonely mountain peak. It is one of the most fortified citadels in the area, which has since been renovated, making it one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in the country.
Over the years, a historical adventure park has been created here that will not only entertain those who are enthusiastic about this period but also present the life of the medieval castle, the battles of the time, and the weapons used at that time in a unique way. In fact, within a live, interactive history lesson, anyone can gain insights into the lives of knights and castles. There are several exhibitions in the castle and you can even try medieval games such as, who can stay on a moving barrel (few!).
A little time travel: knight games and medieval dinners
If you haven’t had enough of your time travel, I recommend the historic horse games and feasts, where you can watch real knight games, battles while having dinner, which features specialties of this time period. If you want to take part in one of these, be sure to check it out first when exactly there will be clashes so you don’t miss them.
knight games
When it comes to food, we have a choice of smooth medieval feasts, aristocratic feasts, and majestic royal feasts (if we finally feel we deserve a real royal pampering). Whichever we choose, we will have an amazing experience and take care, of course, not to feel bad as a result of the abundant feast.
Sanctuary in the heart of Zala County: the Zalaszántó Stupa
Once we have looked at all the things that are interesting to us and climbed up every lookout and even dipped in Lake Balaton, then it is time to do a little bit about our soul. The perfect place for this is the Zalaszántó Stupa, one of the largest such facilities in Europe.
Peace Stupa in Zalaszántó – An island of tranquility in Hungary
The sanctuary was built on the Kovácsi Hill near Zalaszántó in 1992, and it contains some earthly remains of the historical Buddha. This stunning, snow-white structure that radiates tranquility is 30 meters high and 24 meters wide, easy to walk around, but not accessible inside.
It is worth knowing about its history that Buddhist monk Bop Jon decided in 1990 to build a Buddha-sanctuary in a transition country. It was meant to symbolize the tranquility, happiness, and enlightenment that had just arrived in that region.
The monk searched for a place where the locals also embrace this religion and its traditions, and eventually found what he was looking for in Zalaszántó and its inhabitants. Plant seeds and Tibetan religious books were planted at the base during construction. Finally, the Stupa was completed in 1993 and was inaugurated by Tendzin Gyaco Dalai Lama himself. And after the disposal of the sacred remains, it has become a true pilgrimage place, which has been popular ever since, regardless of religion.
Keszthely and its surroundings – Everything this region can give you
Keszthely and its surroundings, as well as the western and northern parts of Lake Balaton, are rich in cultural and natural features. If you come to this area, you will certainly not be bored: whether it is urban amenities, restaurants, and entertainment, or if you just want to retreat and enjoy the nature.
Here we find everything, ridiculously close to each other. Sometimes you just scratch your head as the landscape alternates and everywhere you experience new impulses. All this mystery is swirling around, thanks to Lake Balaton and the nature surrounding the settlements.
