'''Keszthely''' (pronounced Kest-hey) is the oldest town in the Balaton region of Hungary.

Understand

It is located at the southern tip of lake Balaton and boasts a history of more than 750 years. As such the town is endowed with a wide range of architectural gems displaying Gothic, baroque, Transylvanian and eclectic styles. The town is compact and may be easily explored on foot. A small tourist train also circulates the town which is a convenient and cheap way to familiarise oneself with its layout.

The reception wing of the palace is now used as a conference centre and a meeting place for scientific and international conferences. Participants may be accommodated in the 15 quest rooms and 4 suites within the palace. During summer, concerts are held weekly in the grounds

The Festetics were one of the richest aristocratic families in Hungary and had a considerable influence on the development and culture of Keszthely and the surrounding areas. Family members founded pharmacies, hospitals, Grammar schools and in 1779 Count Gyorgy Festetics founded _gThe Georgikon_h, which was Europe_fs first Independent Institution of agricultural higher education. It was established with an 11-hectare dendrological garden. Its successor _gThe Georgikon Faculty of Agronomy_h, now functions within the local university on the corner of Deak Ferenc and Szechenyl streets.

A nice feature within the town is the Helikon environmental park, which sits between the town and the lake foreshores. It is prevented from reaching the lake by the railway to Topolca. Across the railway beside Csik Ferenc setany are to be found a large number of outdoor cafes and restaurants much frequented by students from the nearby university. A popular snack served at these cafes is the famous Hungarian Langos, a deep fried potato pancake topped with either garlic dressing or cheese or both. On summer evenings the area is alive with people eating Langos and drinking beer.

The centre of Keszthely is a large square alongside Kossuth Lajos Utica. This square contains two major buildings. The Gothic parish church, built on the site of a former 12th-13th century church by Palatine Istevan Lackfi. Renovations at the end of the 19th century gave the church its neo-gothic tower and rose windows. In 1974 a number of sensational 15th century frescoes were discovered in the sacristy. At the southern end of this square stands the Gymnasium built at the turn of the last century and now housing the successor to the grammar school founded by Count Pal Festetics in 1772. The section of Kossuth Lajos Utica leading from the square to the palace of the Festetics is now a pedestrian mall were one can find a number of fine restaurants which, in season, serve large numbers of alfresco diners.

To the west of the central square is the marketplace set around Piac square. On Saturdays and Wednesdays the square and some surrounding streets fill with market vendor stalls selling a wide variety of wares. Flowers, fruit, vegetables, and of course paprika are available in abundance together with tools, clothes and other paraphernalia. In the spring Cherries and Walnuts are a great buy.

Get in

keszthely is easily accessed by rail, road and air. Trains run twice daily from Budapest_fs keleti station along the southern shore of lake Balaton passing through the lakeside towns of Siofok, balatonfoldvar, Balatonelle, Balatonboglar and Fonyod. Take the first class fare as this provides a more comfortable compartment and is very reasonably priced. The journey of around 175 km takes about 2hrs 30 mins as stops are made at all major towns along the lake. A change of train is also required at Fonyod to pick up the local line to Keszthely and Tapolca.

Keszthely is easily reached by road from Budapest using M7 / E71. This highway bypasses Szekesfehervar and Siofok on the southern flank of Lake Balaton and is relatively traffic free except in the peak tourist months of June, July and August. If you are willing to take a little more time to reach your destination you will be rewarded with a more scenic route using highway 71 along the north shore of lake Balaton. This route will take you through Balatonfured and passes the Tihany peninsula, which is well worth a detour.

The nearest airport is at Sarmellek approximately 10 km south of the city and is served by regional airlines. From the airport Keszthely is easily accessed via route 75.

Get around

Keszthely is the regional centre for an efficient and cheap bus system, although not always as frequent as one would wish. The main bus terminal is directly outside the railway station. Buses are available from here for Heviz, Fonyod, Tapolca, Badascony and Balatonfured.

Local Rail services are also available to towns along the north shore of lake Balaton, and during the summer months lake ferries also service the lakeside towns.

See

  • The palace of the Festetics ? (The Helikon Castle Museum).
  • The Neo-gothic parish church.
  • The _gpeasant-baroque_h officer_fs residence of the Festetics estate.
  • Balaton museum.
  • The Lakeside Baths.
  • Helikon environmental park.
  • Do

  • Visit the only remaining Lake Baths on lake Balaton.
  • Attend the concerts in the grounds of the Festetics palace.
  • Walk in the Keszthely Mountains to Rezi castle.
  • Visit the Buddhist sanctuary in Zalaszanto.
  • Attend the various Folk Dance festivals.
  • Visit the doll museum in the pedestrian precinct.
  • Buy

  • Paprika
  • Cherries
  • Walnuts
  • Caviar
  • Eat

  • Hotel Bacchus ?Weinmuseum ? restaurant
  • H-8360 Keszthely, Erzsebet Kiralyne u. 18 Tel/Fax 83 ? 314 - 097

  • Hungaricum Borhaz restaurant
  • H8360 Keszthely, Helikon u. 14 Tel 0036 ? 83 ? 312 ? 420

  • Donatello Pizzeria
  • H 8360 Keszthely, Balaton u. 1/A Tel 0036 ? 83 ? 315 ? 989

  • Hungaria ? Gosser ? Etterem Sorozo
  • Keszthely, Kossuth Lajos u. 35 Tel 0036 ? 83 ? 312 - 265

    Drink

    At the Lakeside Bars and cafes

    Sleep

    Keszthely has a variety of places to stay, ranging from rentable apartments to the 5 star 224 room 8 suite:
  • Danubius Hotel ? Helikon at the lakeside.
  • H 8360 Keszthely, Balatonpart 5 Tel 0036 ? 83 ? 311 - 330

    There are also two heritage hotels - the '''Hotel Hullam''' and '''Hotel Balaton''' built in 1892 on land reclaimed from the receding waters of lake Balaton.

    Mid market accommodation is also available from small hotels such as

  • Pension Kakadu
  • H 8360 Keszthely, Pazmany u. 14 0036 ? 83 ?312 ? 042 And

  • Pension Admiral
  • H 8360 Keszthely, Pazmany u. 1 0036 ? 83 ? 314 - 368

    Contact

    Phone The local area code is 83. The country code for Hungary is +36.

    Get out