Keszthely is a Hungarian city located on the western shore of Lake Balaton. It has just over 20,000 inhabitants and is the second largest city on the mentioned lake. It is not only a charming resort and bustling tourist center but also an important cultural and educational hub in the region. Keszthely is a great holiday destination due to its beaches, monuments, and streets that you can stroll through endlessly.
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Festetics Family Palace
The Festetics Palace is a Baroque palace built in 1745 by Kristóf Festetics. Over the next hundred years, it was gradually expanded – ultimately its size tripled. The final stage of construction took place at the end of the 19th century. Today, the palace consists of 101 rooms and is surrounded by extensive English-style gardens. The building houses a museum telling the story of the founding family.
Many decorative elements in the salons were brought from England in the 19th century by Mary Hamilton, the wife of one of the Festetics – including portraits, furniture, and other decorations. If you visit the famous palace, be sure to pay attention to the Louis XIV Salon, the dining room, the Long Gallery, and the private chapel.
The summer opening hours of the Palace are from April 1st to October 31st. During this time, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00. In the remaining months, the property is open to guests from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The combined family ticket (admission fee to the castle and park) is 7,000 HUF for a family of up to 2 adults and 2 children aged 6-18. Remember that the ticket office closes 1 hour before the end of opening hours.
Helikon Library
The Helikon Library is the only remaining aristocratic library in Hungary. It is the largest of its kind in Europe. The collections miraculously survived World War II and were amassed over nearly two centuries. This place is a dream come true for every book lover.
The library’s collection occupies two floors and consists of up to 100,000 volumes. It includes unique copies, early printed books, numerous artistic and scientific books, as well as a musical collection of manuscripts by Haydn and Goldmark. The oak shelves and furniture of the Helikon Library were carved in 1801 by the craftsman János Kerbl. All of this together makes a huge impression.
Hunting Museum
The Hunting Museum is located in the immediate vicinity of the Festetics Family Palace, specifically behind the castle park. It presents the world of aristocratic customs, such as hunting, and also educates about the wild life of our planet through interesting exhibitions. This makes the museum worth visiting with children.
Among the exhibits, you can admire trophies, carpets made of animal fur, weapons, and paintings depicting animals, which were essential decorations of the former manors and palaces. In the wings of the building, exhibitions presenting about 220 species of wild life from American, Asian, and African rainforests are displayed.
The entrance fee is 1300 HUF for adults and half of that amount for children. Opening hours depend on the season. From July 1st to August 31st, the museum is open from Monday to Sunday (except Wednesday) from 9:00 to 18:00, on Wednesday from 9:00 to 12:00. From September to June, the facility is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
Városi Strand Beach
Városi Strand, or City Beach, is located almost in the center of Keszthely. It covers an area of ​​35,000 square meters and attracts both tourists and locals with its beauty. In addition to the designated area for typical beach relaxation, there are also courts for playing sports such as volleyball, basketball, and handball.
This is an ideal beach for families with children because one of the main attractions here is the Water Park Keszthely, which will surely appeal to the youngest. In addition to that, there are playgrounds and water games available, and in the summer, animators can take care of the children. Lifeguards are also stationed on the beach to ensure safety. And when you get hungry, you don’t have to worry because you’ll find 12 gastronomic establishments on the City Beach premises.
The ticket office with an adjacent free parking lot is open from 8:30 to 19:00. Admission fees do not exceed 1000 HUF.
Helikon Beach
Helikon Beach is located in the southern part of Keszthely and is the younger sister of Városi Strand. The beach is really spacious, so there is a place for everyone – even if it’s crowded, which doesn’t happen often. It’s worth knowing that the water is shallow for a long time, so children can freely enjoy swimming.
At Helikon Beach, you can rent a water bike for a fee. Sandy fields allow participation in beach sports. What makes it unique? The library has installed a bookshelf with books so you won’t run out of reading materials during breaks from swimming. In shaded, green areas, you can rest from the sun, play chess, and eat something at local pubs.
Libás Beach
The beach is located on the eastern side of Keszthely. In 2000, it was renovated and has been open to the public since then – for a small fee. It is a sandy beach with a shallow coast and a view of boats arriving at the nearby port. Its advantages include modern changing rooms, showers, toilets, fast-food stalls, and a playground. The numerous trees surrounding it provide much-needed shade.
Lake Balaton
The famous Lake Balaton is the largest lake not only in Hungary but also in Central Europe. Its surface covers as much as 592 km². It was formed roughly 20,000 years ago due to the formation of the Carpathian massif and volcanic activity. It is also called the “Hungarian Sea”. It lies in the southwestern part of the country, about 80 kilometers from Budapest. The average depth of the lake is 3 meters.
Balaton is a well-known center for tourism and recreation. The average water temperature during the summer season, which lasts from June to August, is around 23°C. Besides swimming in the lake, popular activities include fishing and sailing. The surrounding areas are truly picturesque, so it’s worth visiting charming vineyards or resorts.
Balaton Museum
The Balaton Museum building in Keszthely houses an extensive collection of information gathered around Lake Balaton. The numerous exhibitions are divided into permanent and temporary ones and together gather around 380,000 objects. The museum is open all year round and offers an interactive, child-friendly program. The main permanent exhibition is divided into 11 rooms and allows you to learn about the history of Lake Balaton.
The museum is a 10-minute walk from the Main Square and Lake Balaton. If you come by car, nearby parking is free.
Church of Our Lady of Hungary
You can easily find the Gothic Church of Our Lady of Hungary on the Main Square. It is the oldest building in Keszthely, dating back to the 14th century. It was founded by the palatine István Lackfy, who was buried in the temple after his execution in 1397 – his tomb can be found on the sanctuary wall. In 1799, the church became the parish church of Keszthely. Inside the temple, you can find the largest Gothic frescoes in Hungary, which were discovered in 1974.
Keszthely definitely has something to boast about. In this city, you certainly won’t get bored – unless deliberately, at the beach. Have you ever been to Hungary? Did you manage to take a dip in the “Hungarian Sea”? I’m curious to hear your answers.
See also:
Best Things to Do in Eger (Hungary)
