natural wonder
Lake Heviz
Largest thermal lake in Europe open for bathing, near the western end of Lake Balaton, warm enough for year-round swimming.
5 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeHungaryZala County
Keszthely
Zala County, Hungary · Europe
About Keszthely
Keszthely is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Cserszegtomaj, 5km from Lake Heviz.
Keszthely is in Zala County, Hungary, with about 20,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Cserszegtomaj, about 4 km away.
Keszthely (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈkɛsthɛj]; also known by alternative names) is a Hungarian city of 20,895 inhabitants located on the western shore of Lake Balaton. It is the second largest city by the lake and one of the more important cultural, educational and economic hubs in the region. Due to its favorableRead more
location and accessibility by both road and rail, Keszthely and the surrounding area is a preferred holiday destination.
From the middle of the 5th century until the middle of the 7th century the Keszthely Culture flourished in the area.
The Faculty for Agriculture of University of Pannonia is located in Keszthely. George Fejer, Hungarian author and librarian at the University of Pest, was born in Keszthely in 1766.
Where to Stay in Keszthely
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Keszthely?
Within an hour or so of Keszthely: Lake Heviz (5 km), Balaton North Shore Drive (Route 71) (19 km), Sumeg Castle (24 km), Hegyestű Geological Visitor Site (34 km).
Are there any good drives near Keszthely?
The nearest famous roads are Balaton North Shore Drive (Route 71) and South Styrian Wine Road.
Where is Keszthely?
Keszthely is in Zala County, Hungary, about 4 km from Cserszegtomaj.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 19,652
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Hungary
- Region
- Zala County
- Timezone
- Europe/Budapest
- Coordinates
- 46.7681, 17.2432
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Hungary
e-vignette required for motorways. Zero alcohol limit for drivers.
Full driving guide for HungaryTags
Worth the detour from Keszthely
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
coastal drive
Balaton North Shore Drive (Route 71)
Route 71 hugs Lake Balaton's northern shore beneath volcanic hills and vineyards, linking Balatonfured, Tihany and Badacsony in one of Central Europe's finest lakeside drives.
19 km · about 20 min drive
castle
Sumeg Castle
One of Hungary's best-preserved medieval fortresses crowns a bald limestone hill above the town of Sumeg near Lake Balaton, hosting jousting shows and commanding views over the Bakony hills.
24 km · about 30 min drive
photogenic
Hegyestű Geological Visitor Site
A quarried-open basalt volcano near Monoszló above Lake Balaton: a 50 m wall of vertical polygonal columns showing the inside of an 8-million-year-old eruption, with Káli Basin views from the rim.
34 km · about 40 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Balaton
Central Europe's largest freshwater lake, known as the Hungarian Sea, a beloved summer destination with vineyards and resort towns.
38 km · about 45 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Tihany Peninsula, Lake Balaton
A lavender-scented peninsula with an abbey perched over Central Europe's largest lake, ringed by a scenic drive.
52 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Keszthely
- 19 kmBalaton North Shore Drive (Route 71)Route 71 hugs Lake Balaton's northern shore beneath volcanic hills and vineyards, linking Balatonfured, Tihany and Badacsony in one of Central Europe's finest lakeside drives.
- 52 kmTihany Peninsula, Lake BalatonA lavender-scented peninsula with an abbey perched over Central Europe's largest lake, ringed by a scenic drive.
Driving in Hungary
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.58/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
- Vignette
- Required, around €16 for a short-stay sticker
When to drive here
April to October
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