Programs
Thury György Museum
The Thury György Museum of Nagykanizsa is located in one of the city’s oldest buildings, the former “princely castle,” built between 1705 and 1712 using stones from the old Kanizsa fortress. The museum is named after György Thury, a 19th-century poet, writer, and journalist. The institution considers 1949 its year of foundation in the modern sense, when it was separated from the library and nationalized. Its permanent exhibition, “People, Roads, Connections,” presents thousands of years of South Zala’s history from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 5 Fő Street.
Erzsébet Square Fountain
Erzsébet Square is the largest and main square of Nagykanizsa, known for its funnel-shaped layout. Historically, it functioned as a marketplace until the late 19th century, and from 1927 it began to be transformed into a decorative public square. Today it is surrounded mainly by Baroque and Classical buildings, statues, and a music pavilion, making it a popular meeting point and event venue.
The modern, two-pool fountain was inaugurated in 2012, featuring changing water patterns and colorful lighting, often in national colors. It is a popular attraction that entertains locals and visitors with evening light shows until the first frost.
Boating Lake (Csónakázó-tó / Péterfai Lake)
The Boating Lake, officially called Péterfai Lake, is located in the southern part of Nagykanizsa and is a popular place for relaxation and excursions. It covers nearly 24 hectares and has an average depth of about 1.5 meters, making it ideal for boating and water sports. The shoreline is lined with walking paths, benches, playgrounds, and cafés, providing a pleasant environment for leisure.
The lake is also popular among anglers due to its rich fish population and well-maintained banks. Various programs and sporting events are regularly organized around the lake throughout the year.
Nagykanizsa Lookout Tower
The Nagykanizsa lookout tower is one of the tallest in Hungary, located on Berki Hill in the Lower Forest (Alsóerdő) next to the Boating Lake. The 48-meter-high metal and glass structure was converted from a former oil-drilling tower and has been open to visitors again since 2018.
From its two viewing levels, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Zala hills, the Boating Lake, and, on clear days, even the Croatian mountain ranges. Entry is subject to a fee; tickets can be purchased from an on-site machine for 500 HUF per person. The tower is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, although occasional technical issues with the entry system may occur.
Steam Locomotives – Nagykanizsa
Next to the Nagykanizsa railway station there is a small railway memorial park where two historically significant steam locomotives can be seen. One of them is the legendary MÁV Class 424 steam locomotive, number 424,309, often nicknamed “Bivaly” (Buffalo) or “Nurmi.” This type was one of the most iconic and powerful Hungarian-built steam engines, famous for its reliability and strength.
Alongside it, a smaller Class 375 tank engine (375,896) and other railway vehicles such as a tank wagon and a rail crane are also on display, forming an open-air railway museum that highlights the city’s past as an important railway hub.
Zalakaros Thermal Spa
The history of the Zalakaros Spa began in 1962, when instead of hydrocarbons, 96°C medicinal water with an exceptionally high mineral content emerged from a depth of more than 2,000 meters. The composition of the water is unique in Europe, being rich in iodine, bromine, sulfur, and fluoride.
Opened in 1965, the spa has since become a central part of the town’s economy and community life, helping Zalakaros become a recognized spa destination. Today the complex includes not only medical facilities but also indoor and outdoor adventure pools, slides, and a sauna world, offering fun for the whole family. The medicinal water is especially recommended for musculoskeletal, gynecological, and neurological conditions, while also refreshing both body and soul.
Current opening hours and ticket prices are available on the official Zalakaros Spa website.
Zalakaros Forestry Lookout Tower (Erdész Kilátó)
The Forestry Lookout Tower in Zalakaros is located in the Park Forest at an elevation of 192.3 meters above sea level, built on the site of a former unsafe tower. The new, 23-meter-high green-painted oak tower was opened in 2018.
From the viewing platform at 17.5 meters, visitors can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Zala hills, the Little Balaton, and on clear days even the witness hills of the Balaton Highlands. The tower is open to visitors all year round and is free of charge. It is easily accessible on foot or by car, with a parking area at its base. It is also located along the popular Snail Trail nature path and the Rockenbauer Pál South Transdanubian Blue Trail.
Kányavár Island
Kányavár Island is the only area of the Little Balaton that can be freely visited year-round without a guide, accessed via a unique curved wooden bridge. The island features the 1.5-kilometer-long “Great Crested Grebe” nature trail, with 15 information boards introducing the rich birdlife.
The area is protected under the Ramsar Convention and is home to an exceptionally rich ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy rest areas, picnic and barbecue spots, a playground, and a bird-watching tower, making it ideal for peaceful nature experiences. The island is also known as a setting of the novel “Tüskevár” (Thorn Castle), giving it both literary and natural significance.
Kőszikla Gorge
The Kőszikla Gorge near Nagybakónak is one of Zala County’s most special natural attractions—a short but dramatic sandstone gorge carved by erosion. In places, the rock walls seem to “weep,” as water seeps out of the sandstone, creating a unique microclimate for ferns and mosses.
The hiking route also includes the Árpád Springs (also known as the Esperanto Springs), where a built-up rest and fire-pit area awaits visitors. These springs, developed in the 1970s with the help of nature lovers, provide excellent quality fresh drinking water in a cool and scenic environment.
Buffalo Reserve (Kápolnapuszta)
The Kápolnapuszta Buffalo Reserve is located halfway between Zalakomár and Balatonmagyaród, within the Little Balaton Landscape Protection Area. Its main goal is to preserve the gene pool of Hungary’s native water buffalo and to present the species to the public.
Here you can see the largest freely visitable buffalo herd in Hungary, often grazing or even wallowing in the mud. A 1.5-kilometer-long nature trail with information boards, a lookout tower, and picnic areas is available for visitors. The reception building features an interactive exhibition about the rich wildlife of the Little Balaton, and the petting zoo is especially popular with children.
Up-to-date information and opening hours can be found on the Balaton Uplands National Park website.
Kilátó Borozó – Kemencés Gasztrokuckó
Kilátó Borozó Kemencés Gasztrokuckó is located in Zalakaros, right at the foot of the Forestry Lookout Tower, in a beautiful forest setting. This family-run restaurant has specialized in oven-baked dishes based on unique recipes since 2010. Their menu includes slowly marinated, oven-roasted dishes such as pork knuckle, duck leg, pork loin, and ribs, kept warm on a wood-fired stove.
Alongside these Hungarian specialties, traditional goulash and bean soup as well as braised cabbage are prepared by Szilvi, the owner’s wife. The restaurant is popular with both tourists and locals thanks to its generous portions and friendly service. Since your accommodation and the Kilátó Borozó have the same owners, we offer you a 10% discount when you visit us as our guest.
More information about food and drinks is available on the Kilátó Borozó website.
