Visit Keszthely On The Shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary

Keszthely is a fantastic city for a holiday in Hungary on the western shore of Lake Balaton. There are lots of beaches and places of interest in the area.

Lake Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe and is a popular holiday destination. Other towns around the lake include Siófok, often referred to as the Ibiza of Hungary. There are lots of things to keep you entertained in the Keszthely area of Hungary.

The city is also home to tourist attractions like the Festetics Palace, a stunning Baroque palace. In the nearby town is the Thermal Lake of Hévíz. To the north of the lake are some fantastic vineyards and wine producers to visit. Lake Balaton is great for outdoor activities such as watersports, hiking and cycling.

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Why Stay in Keszthely?

We found the city by the lake to be a fun place to stay, with plenty to keep us occupied during our visits. The mix of historic sights and countryside really appealed to us, making Keszthely an enjoyable place to spend time. During our summer visits, the water in Lake Balaton was ideal for swimming. On subsequent visits, we ventured out on day trips that piqued our interest, including the Thermal Lake in Hévíz and Szigliget Castle along the lake.

Where to Eat and Drink in Keszthely

There are many bars and restaurants to frequent while in Keszthely. This includes welcoming eateries serving local food, such as fish from Lake Balaton and Hungarian staples. Some of these are dog-friendly inside, and many more have outdoor seating areas.

A highlight of the area is the fresh fish from the lake. They cook this in a variety of ways, from coating it to using it in a soup.

Accommodation

When searching on Booking.com, there was a dog-friendly accommodation option. You need to use the pets-allowed feature they offer; then you can delve deeper into each property’s terms. They had both hotels and holiday homes to choose from.

Rigo Apartments

Rigo Apartments is a 20-minute walk from the centre of Keszthely and the train station. It is also 15 minutes from the lake. It is rather nice, with a big kitchen and dining room. Rigo Apartments has several apartment configurations, and we’ve tried a few during our three visits to Keszthely. Our favourite had two bedrooms, with two double beds and one single bed, comfortably sleeping up to five people.

The kitchen and dining room have all the equipment needed for a self-catering holiday. Their garden is extensive and shared with a few other apartments. The garden has seating and a pool for relaxing, and it is well maintained.

Is Keszthely Dog-Friendly?

During our visits to Keszthely, we found it reasonably dog-friendly. Obviously, there are restrictions when travelling with pets. This includes some attractions and beaches that were off-limits.

Finding pet-friendly accommodation was rather straightforward. There are many pet-friendly establishments to dine in in the city and on the shores of Lake Balaton. Some allow dogs inside, and others have covered terraces. The covered areas are handy both during rain to keep the dog warm and on hot days to provide shade.

Public transport is also fairly accommodating for dogs. On trains, you need to buy a dog ticket, and dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled.

Travel From Budapest By Train

The most relaxing way to reach Keszthely is by train from Budapest Kelenföld. Our direct train from Budapest Kelenföld took about 2.5 hours, passing through some beautiful Hungarian countryside. There are regular services towards Lake Balaton, but it’s worth checking the current timetable before travelling.

Is Keszthely Worth Visiting?

Both Keszthely and Lake Balaton are well worth visiting and are an excellent destination. We’ve stayed for nearly 3 weeks over three visits. The lake is a fun place to relax, hike, or enjoy water-based activities. The city is beautiful, with a grand palace and interesting museums.