Discover Zalakaros
Accommodation in Zalakaros
Bathing tradition and local life
The history of bathing in Zalakaros began in 1962, when 96°C water was discovered during an exploratory drilling operation. The baths opened on 5 September 1965. If you are considering Zalakaros for its bathing tradition, you can combine this historical background with other aspects of the town. Zalakarosi Fürdő is in the town centre and can be reached by car, bus or bicycle. As you look for a holiday rental, consider whether the baths will be the main focus of your trip or whether you would rather explore nature, outdoor activities and local history.
The Church of Divine Mercy is also part of the town’s history: it was consecrated on 23 April 2006. The Kannavirág Festival, held every summer with a market and typical festival festivities, offers another glimpse of local life. When planning your trip, you can choose between a stay focused on the bathing tradition and a summer visit that includes the festival.
Termáltó and nature trails
Termáltó and Ökopart was developed as an additional attraction alongside Zalakaros’s spa and bathing facilities. A nature trail runs through the surrounding forest along the southern shore. Information boards explain the locally protected plants. This offers a different way to experience nature from an excursion focused mainly on the diverse bird and plant life of Kis-Balaton, an area on the outskirts of Zalakaros that attracts visitors. There are also hiking and cycling trails in the area. You can plan your stay around whether you would like to learn about particular aspects of nature or make time for outdoor activities nearby.
Termáltó and Ökopart also has a playground, a maze and an outdoor fitness park. Each offers something different: the playground is a place for families with children, the maze invites you to explore, and the fitness park appeals to people looking for outdoor exercise. If you are travelling with children, you can include the playground and maze as specific interests in your day’s plans rather than focusing your stay solely on the bathing facilities.
Culture, wine and active days
The Gyöngyös fejdísz is a distinctive regional tradition and a characteristic part of the local costume in Zalakaros and the surrounding area. Originally, it was made from a neckband cut into sections to create a net. Anyone interested in clothing and traditional crafts will find this a specific cultural detail, distinct from the experiences of nature and bathing.
The Tónai wine also speaks to a long local history. This grape variety, documented in Zalakaros since the Middle Ages, survived the phylloxera crisis. Today, it is available only as a young wine in a few local cellars; recent research classifies it as the “Járdovány” variety. These distinctive features make the wine a topic of its own for travellers interested in regional products. Zalakaros also has a riding school, as well as football, tennis and bowling facilities. Alongside walks and wildlife watching, horseback riding and various sports activities are therefore options to consider for your trip.
When choosing a holiday apartment or house, the first consideration is which aspect of Zalakaros you want to shape your trip: its bathing tradition, nature around Termáltó and Kis-Balaton, culture or outdoor activities. These different themes can help you decide what kind of stay you want, without requiring every activity to have the same focus.
Discover nearby places
Nearby places: Nagyrada, Zalamerenye, Garabonc, Kisrécse, Miháld, Zalasárszeg, Zalaszabar and Galambok.
For the broader travel overview: Zalakarosi.
