Zalaszabar on the western shore of Kis-Balaton

Zalaszabar lies on the western shore of Kis-Balaton, among gentle hills bordered by forests. The landscape gives the village its distinct character; at the same time, Zalaszabar offers several ways to enjoy a stay, including an adventure park, a protected historic church and a wine tasting. If you are looking for an apartment, you can start by deciding what you would like to focus on: should your trip mainly include scenery, active experiences, local history or a wine tasting?

Indoor and outdoor adventures

The Zobori Adventure Park in Zalaszabar offers indoor and outdoor adventures for the whole family throughout the year. Attractions include a roller coaster, slides, a free-fall tower, a Tubby slide and a boat slide. The range therefore extends from rides to different types of slides. When planning a visit to the park, consider which of these activities appeal most to you. Check current operating information before making the park a fixed part of your itinerary.

Church history and wine tasting in Zalaszabar

The Church of the Holy Name of the Virgin Mary (Szűz Mária Szent neve) in Zalaszabar is fully protected as a historic monument. Buzád bán had a significant part of the church built around the 1230s. Both the patron and approximate date, as well as the church’s present-day protected status, are useful for understanding its history. The two details refer to different aspects: the historical account concerns a significant part of the church, while the protection applies to the entire building. This makes the village’s history tangible through a specific structure and its enduring significance.

Another local option is a wine tasting at Kányaváry Borbirtok. Advance registration is required; confirm the visitor requirements beforehand if you plan to attend. This makes the tasting different from the park and the church: registration is part of the preparation, whereas the experiences themselves are the focus of the other attractions. So when looking for an apartment, it may help to decide in advance which of these interests are most important for your stay.

More to explore in the wider destination of Zala

The wider destination of Zala offers a broader perspective on the area through its landscapes, wine-growing and regional experiences. Kis-Balaton is Zala’s largest body of water, is strictly protected and covers 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. Here, an interest in nature meets an interest in literature within a regional setting. The Zalai Borvidék wine region developed in Zala on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság hills and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység mountains. It comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. This geographical overview describes wine-growing at the regional level; the wine tasting in Zalaszabar remains a separate local activity.

The Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum in the wider destination of Zala also offers a clearly defined excursion: a 1.5-kilometre walking trail leads through the reserve and is equipped with resting places and viewpoints. Visitors may pet tame animals every day during opening hours. The water buffalo festival takes place each year in May or June; specific dates may vary from year to year, so it is worth checking the dates for your planned travel year. The walking trail, encounters with the animals and the event each offer a different focus and can help you weigh up your interests for your stay.

When looking for an apartment, you can first decide between a stay focused on Zalaszabar and a trip that takes in several regional highlights in Zala. In Zalaszabar, the hills on the western shore of Kis-Balaton, the adventure park, the protected church and the wine tasting by prior arrangement are specific points of reference. If you would also like to include Kis-Balaton, regional wine-growing or the reserve, take these themes into account as you plan. That way, you can choose accommodation based on the experiences you want to make the focus of your holiday.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Galambok, Nagyrada, Balatonmagyaród, Zalakaros, Zalasárszeg, Zalamerenye, Gelse, Kisrécse.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Zalakarosi.