Hungary, Lake Balaton, Keszthely, Pier on Keszthely beach

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Keszthely

Keszthely is a town of gently crumbling grand town houses perched at the western edge of Lake Balaton. It's hands down one of the loveliest spots to stay in the area, and far removed from the tourist hot spots on the lake. You can take a dip in small, shallow beaches by day, absorb the lively yet relaxed ambience by night, and get a dose of culture by popping into the town's handful of museums and admiring its historical buildings. Whatever you do, don't miss the Festetics Palace, a lavish baroque home fit for royalty.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Festetics Mansion

    Festetics Palace

    Keszthely

    The glimmering white, 100-room Festetics Palace was begun in 1745, and the two wings were extended out from the original building 150 years later. Some 18…

  • Model Railway Museum

    Model Railway Museum

    Keszthely

    On the top floor of a former military building, this grin-inducing museum exhibits one of the world's largest mountain railway layouts. Trains whiz round…

  • Erotic Panoptikum

    Erotic Panoptikum

    Keszthely

    Full disclosure: this is an X-rated wax museum. Kind of tacky – yes. Fascinating – absolutely. The tiny subterranean space brings to 'life' lust and sex…

  • Georgikon Farm Museum

    Georgikon Farm Museum

    Keszthely

    Housed in several early-19th-century buildings of what was the Georgikon’s experimental farm, this is the perfect museum for lovers of early industrial…

  • Balaton Museum

    Balaton Museum

    Keszthely

    The Balaton Museum was purpose-built in 1928 and its permanent exhibits focus on the life and history of Lake Balaton. The Balaton aquarium showcases the…

  • Toy Museum

    Toy Museum

    Keszthely

    Depending on what generation you're from, the exhibits at this wonderful place will either make you smile in remembrance or gawp in fascination. Ye olde…

  • Synagogue

    Synagogue

    Keszthely

    Before WWII Keszthely’s Jewish community numbered 1000; at the end of the war it had dropped to 170. Today less than 40 Jews live in the town and attend…

  • Doll Museum

    Doll Museum

    Keszthely

    This surprisingly absorbing museum showcases two floors' worth of dolls dressed in folk costumes from all parts of Hungary. On the ground floor, there's…

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