Lake Balaton shoreline in Keszthely

The first building on the shore of Lake Balaton in Keszthely, the wooden bathhouse, was completed in 1846, the same year that the steamship Kisfaludy first docked in Keszthely. The first circular bathing island was built in the 1880s, then in 1893 a decorative portal was added to create a bath consisting of two islands. Today it is part of the municipal beach which was opened in 1927. Prince Tasziló Festetics was given a plot of land by the town to enlarge the foregarden of his castle, and in return he donated a significant section on the Lake Balaton shoreline. After the area was filled up, two hotels were built on the shore, the Hotel Hullám (1894) and the Hotel Balaton (1895). Today these two hotels are known as the only hotel complex on Lake Balaton that has been preserved in its original form. Keszthely is situated at the western tip of Lake Balaton, on the shore of Keszthelyi Bay. This is where the Zala River flows into Lake Balaton so the water here is slightly different from the other parts of the lake. The area between the Helikon Hotel and the municipal beach is called the Balaton-part (Balaton shore) district. However, the coast of Keszthely is much larger: it stretches over 9 km from Libás beach to the river mouth of the Zala. From Libás a promenade leads to the pier in the harbour as well as to the municipal beach and from there on to Helikon beach. From there, a bike path leads to Fenékpuszta where you can find a bird ringing station, the remains of an ancient Roman fort and the former stud farm of the Festetics family. From the municipal beach you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Keszthelyi Mountains, and from Fenékpuszta you can admire the volcanic outlier hills of the Tapolcai Basin. The border between Zala and Somogy counties is drawn by the Zala River. This is where the region of Kis-Balaton begins, part of the Balaton Highlands National Park, the visitor centre of which is also located in Keszthely-Fenékpuszta.

Drinking water access point