Keszthely Sights

  1. Balaton Uplands National Park

    The Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) region to the south of Keszthely falls under the protection of the Balaton Uplands National Park and is an excellent place to enjoy the wildlife of the area.

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  2. Bird-Ringing Camp

    A bird-ringing camp run by the Hungarian Ornithological & Nature Conservation Society in Fenékpuszta near the delta of the Zala River has very knowledgeable staff and can fill you in on bird species on and around the lake. The camp is just one stop on the train heading for Balatonszentgyörgy; if you're driving from Keszthely, the exit is at the 111km stone on Rte 71.

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  3. Buffalo Reserve

    At the southern end of Kis-Balaton is a Buffalo Reserve, which is home to some 200 water buffalo; the best time to visit is late afternoon, when the buffalo gather near the reserve headquarters. It's more than a trek to get there by public transport, so the only real option is under your own steam; the reserve is near the tiny village of Kápolnapuszta.

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  4. City Beach

    City Beach is okay for swimming or sunbathing, is good for kids and is close to the ferry pier. There's a windsurfing and kitesurfing school here in summer.

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  5. Coach Museum

    If you have time take a peek at the Coach Museum, attached to the Festetics Palace, with coaches and sleighs fit for royalty. One-hour guided tours are available in one of four languages for an additional cost.

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  6. Festetics Palace

    The Festetics Palace, built in 1745 and extended 150 years later, contains 100 rooms in two sprawling wings. The 19th-century northern wing houses a music school, city library and conference centre; the Helikon Palace Museum (Helikon Kastélymúzeum) and the palace's greatest treasure, the renowned Helikon Library (Helikon Könyvtar) are in the baroque south wing.

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  7. Fő tér

    Fő tér is a colourful square with some lovely buildings, including the late-baroque Town Hall (northern side of Fő tér) on the northern side, the Trinity Column in the centre and the former Franciscan Church (Ferences templom) in the park to the south.

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  8. Franciscan Church

    The church was originally built in the Gothic style in the late 14th century for Franciscan monks, but many alterations were made in subsequent centuries, including the addition of the steeple in 1898. The Gothic rose window above the porch remains, though, as do some faded 15th-century frescoes in the sanctuary and on the southern wall. Count György and other Festetics family members are buried in the crypt below.

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  9. Georgikon Farm Museum

    The Georgikon Farm Museum is housed in several early-19th-century buildings of what was the Georgikon's experimental farm. It contains exhibits on the history of the college and the later Pannon Agricultural University (now a few blocks to the southeast on the corner of Széchenyi utca and Deák Ferenc utca), viniculture in the Balaton region and traditional farm trades such as those performed by wagon builders, wheelwrights, coopers and blacksmiths.

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  10. Helikon Beach

    Reedy Helikon Beach (south of Városi Strand) is also okay for swimming and sunbathing. It, along with City Beach has a unique view of both the north and south shores of the lake.

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  12. Town Hall

    The late-baroque Town Hall is on the northern side of Fő tér.

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  13. Trinity Column (1770)

    The Trinity Column stands in the centre of Fő tér.

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