Keszthely

The northwestern part of the lake was a favourite place of the Hungarian nobility centuries ago. To prove their presence they left evocative castles, country houses and churches to posterity. Baroque and Gothic architectural relics can be found mainly in Keszthely, which is the oldest city on the shore of the lake. The ancient palace of the Festetics family is nowadays a museum and a concert hall.

The medieval nave and the frescos of the Roman Catholic church are among Hungary's most attractive Gothic monuments. In the vicinity of Keszthely, you can visit the castles of Rezi and Sümeg, the Buddhist sanctuary of Zalaszántó and the Africa Museum of Balatonederics. Those looking for cures or recuperation go to Hévíz in large numbers all year round. This is a spa built on the shore of a sulphur lake formed in an ancient crater. Those who suffer from locomotive ailments can be helped not only by the water of the lake but also by the mud from the bottom.

The marshy area of the Small Balaton, belonging to the Balaton Highland National Park in the western corner of the lake, is a real rarity for tourists in search of untouched nature. They can fish on the island of Kányavár or take pictures of rare bird species.