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Zalakaros is a town of 1,800 people (2011) in Lake Balaton region. Zalakaros is famous for its thermal spring bath. For children, it also has a waterpark (an "indoor and outdoor adventure bath"). It gained its fame in 1962, when prospective oil drilling struck a nearly 96 °C (205 °F) source at a depth of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The spa was opened in 1965.

Understand[edit]

  • 1 Tourinform Zalakaros, Gyógyfürdő tér 10, +36 30 335-0597, . Jan–Apr Sep–Dec: M–F 08:00–16:00, Sa 09:00–16:00; May: M–F 08:00–16:00, Sa 09:00–16:00, Su 09:00–13:00; Jun: M–F 08:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–18:00, Su 09:00–16:00; Jul–Aug: M–F 08:00–19:00, Sa 09:00–19:00, Su 09:00–18:00. Tourist information.

Get in[edit]

By train[edit]

There is no train station in Zalakaros. The closest railway station is Zalakomár, where you can transfer to regional buses towards Zalakaros. Trains are available in every two hours between Budapest-Déli pályaudvar and Zalakomár via Székesfehérvár, Siófok and Fonyód. The whole journey from Budapest to Zalakaros takes about 3.5 hours and costs 3660 Ft.

1 Zalakomár Train Station, Zalakomár, +36 1 349-4949, . There is no ticket office, tickets can be purchased on the train. Zalakomár railway station (Q22117275) on Wikidata

By bus[edit]

Direct buses from Budapest-Népliget are available two times a day. The journey takes 2½ hours and costs 4015 Ft. More frequent buses are available from Nagykanizsa. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs 370 Ft.

2 Zalakaros Bus Station, Gyógyfürdő tér 1, .

Get around[edit]

There is no local public transport or taxi service. You can use the regional buses operated by Volánbusz.

By bike[edit]

  • 2 Bicycle Center Zalakaros (Kerékpáros Centrum Zalakaros), Gyógyfürdő tér 10, +36 30 335-0597, . Bicycle rental: 1300 Ft for two hours, 2700 Ft for one day. E-Bike rental: 1500 Ft for two hours, 4500 Ft for one day. Tandem rental: 1500 Ft for two hours, 3500 Ft for one day..

See[edit]

Thermal Bath of Zalakaros

In Zalakaros:

  • 1 Erdész Observation Tower (Erdész-kilátó).
  • 2 Snail-tour Training Path (Csiga-túra tanösvény). 1,152 m (3,780 ft) long nature trail.

In Balatonmagyaród:

  • 3 Kányavári Island (Kányavári-sziget), Balatonmagyaród, +36 30 664-0404, . Nature reserve. There is a 2 km (1.2 mi) long nature trail. There are two observation towers to see the wetland of Kis-Balaton. Free entrance.
  • 4 Petting Zoo Fenyvespuszta (Fenyvespusztai állatsimogató), Fenyvespuszta, Balatonmagyaród, +36 30 287-0249, . Nov–Feb 10:00–16:00, Mar–Jun Sep–Oct 10:00–18:00, Jul–Aug 10:00–19:00. Petting zoo with additional services: horse carriage tour, pony riding, archery. Entrance fee: 600 Ft.

In Galambok:

  • 5 Feast of the Ascension Roman Catholic Church (Urunk mennybemenetele római katolikus templom), Ady Endre utca, Galambok. Built in 1802 in late Baroque style.
  • 6 Galambok Heritage House (Galamboki tájház), Somogyi Béla utca 12, Galambok. Built in 1840.
  • 7 Reformed Church (Református templom), Somogyi Béla utca 16, Galambok. Built at the end of the 18th century.

In Zalakomár:

  • 8 Buffalo Reserve Káptalanpuszta (Kápolnapusztai Bivalyrezervátum), Kápolnapuszta, Zalakomár, +36 70 228-2864, . Apr Sep–Oct 09:00–17:00, May–Aug 09:00-19:00, Nov–Mar 09:00–16:00. Adult: 800 Ft; senior, student: 700 Ft; children: 500 Ft. Kápolnapuszta Buffalo Reserve (Q1123262) on Wikidata
  • 9 Trinity Roman Catholic Church (Szentháromság római katolikus templom), Kossuth Lajos utca 17, Zalakomár. Built in 1772 in Baroque style.

In Zalamerenye:

  • 10 Pálos Mill (Pálos-malom), Zalamerenye, .
  • 11 Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church (Szent Mihály római katolikus templom), Kossuth Lajos utca, Zalamerenye. Built in 1760 in Baroque style. Roman Catholic church, Zalamerenye (Q1296620) on Wikidata

Do[edit]

Observation tower on Kányavári Island, Balatonmagyaród

Culture[edit]

Leisure[edit]

Sport[edit]

Events[edit]

Thermal Bath of Zalakaros

Official events:

  • Kannavirág Days (Kannavirág Napok). In July.
  • City Days of Zalakaros (Zalakaros Város Napjai). In July.
  • Street Festival in Zalakaros (Utcafesztivál Zalakaroson). In August.
  • Wine Days in Zalakaros (Zalakarosi Bornapok). In August.
  • Saint Stephen Days (Szent István Napok). In August.
  • Advent in Zalakaros (Advent Zalakaroson). In December.

Buy[edit]

  • 1 Small Farmer's Market in Zalakaros (Zalakarosi termelői piac), Gyógyfürdő tér, +36 93 340-421. M–Sa 06:00–14:00.
  • 2 Karos ABC, Gyógyfürdő tér 4. M–F 07:30–17:00, Sa 07:30–15:00.
  • 3 Kiss ABC, Gyógyfürdő tér 6. M–Sa 06:00–18:00, Su 06:00–14:00.
  • 4 Jánoki ABC, Fő utca 1, Zalakomár. M–F 06:00–18:00, Sa 06:30–16:00, Su 06:30–12:00.

Eat[edit]

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget Under 2000 Ft
Mid-range 2000 Ft2800 Ft
Splurge Over 2800 Ft

Budget[edit]

Heritage House in Galambok

In Zalakaros:

In the surroundings:

  • 5 Fortuna Pizzeria, Petőfi Sándor utca 5, Zalakomár, +36 93 951-957. M–Sa 10:00–22:00, Su 10:00–12:00 16:00–22:00. Pizzeria. Pizza: 1150 Ft, hamburger: 500 Ft.

Mid-range[edit]

In Zalakaros:

In the surroundings:

Splurge[edit]

Buffalo Reserve in Káptalanpuszta, Zalakomár

In Zalakaros:

In the surroundings:

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under 14,000 Ft
Mid-range 14,000 Ft27,000 Ft
Splurge Over 27,000 Ft

Budget[edit]

Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church in Zalamerenye

Mid-range[edit]

Splurge[edit]

Fishing Lake of Galambok

Connect[edit]

Zalakaros' postal code is H-8749, and its telephone area code is 93.

Go next[edit]

  • Csurgó – town 41 km (25 mi) south
  • Hévíz – town with natural thermal lake 33 km (21 mi) north
  • Gyenesdiás – resort village at Lake Balaton 37 km (23 mi) northeast
  • Keszthely – town with historical downtown 33 km (21 mi) northeast
  • Pacsa – small town 26 km (16 mi) northwest
  • Marcali – town 32 km (20 mi) east
  • Nagykanizsa – city with historical downtown 18 km (11 mi) southwest
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