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Hévíz Voyage Tips and guide

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Hévíz is a spa town in the Lake Balaton region of Hungary, about 8 km (5.0 mi) from Keszthely.

Understand

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The town is located near Lake Hévíz, the world’s second-largest thermal lake, but biologically the biggest active natural lake. Its temperature is affected by the combination of hot and cold spring waters, coming from 38 m (125 ft) underground. The water breaks out from a spring cave, at approximately 410 liters per second, with a temperature of 40 °C (104 °F). The biological stability of the lake is shown by the temperature of the water, which has not changed for years, and even on the coldest winter days doesn’t drop below 24 °C (75 °F). That makes bathing possible in the lake year round. In the summer, the water temperature can reach 37 °C (99 °F).

The lake's healing properties have been well known for centuries people lived here even at the end of the Stone Age. The foundation of bath culture was laid by the Romans in the 2nd century. According to an ancient legend, the Holy Virgin wrung a spring by the appealing prayer of a Christian nurse. The nurse wanted to heal an invalid child. The hot water of the lake breaking out from the depth and the steaming mud cured the weak child completely. The legend stems from the Roman age and the mentioned child was definitely the East Roman emperor Flavius Theodosius who declared Christianity to the official religion in his own empire in 391. That is the wrung spring that feeds the worldwide particular lake of Hévíz from that time.

Egregy is part of Hévíz. It gives a real village atmosphere. The beautiful Roman-style Church of Egregy was built in the 13th century, during the rule of Árpád. Behind the church are the picturesque vineyards where one can taste the delicious local wines, for example the „Egregyi Grinzing”. There are cosy restaurants where local delicacies are offered in a homey atmosphere. Each year Egregy celebrates its grape harvest, this is a time for eating, drinking and having a lot of fun.

Get in

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By train

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The closest train station is in Keszthely. From Budapest-Déli pályaudvar, you can travel by train to Keszthely train station, then transfer to regional buses towards Hévíz. The whole journey from Budapest to Hévíz takes 3 hours and costs 3380 Ft.

By bus

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Direct buses from Budapest-Népliget are available six times a day. The journey takes 2.5 hours and costs 3705 Ft. More frequent buses are available from Keszthely. The journey takes about 15 minutes and costs 250 Ft.

1 Hévíz Bus Station, +36 83 342-864, . Ticket office: M–F 08:00–16:00, Sa Su 08:30–15:30. OSM directions target=_blank

Get around

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First of all on foot and by cycle. There is no local public transport service. You can use the regional buses operated by Volánbusz.

By taxi

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By bike

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See

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Hévíz Medicinal Spa

Hévíz

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  • 1 Berki Trail (Berki sétaút). The Trail covers Lake Hévíz and the surrounding moor as well as its flora and fauna. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 2 Egregy Museum (Egregyi Múzeum), Zrínyi utca 130, +36 30 225-6940, . M–Sa 08:00–16:00. Local history exhibition (6000 BC to Middle Age). Adult: 500 Ft; senior, student: 200 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 3 Hévíz Downtown Museum (Belvárosi Múzeum), Rákóczi utca 9, +36 83 343-419, . M–Sa 09:00–17:00. Local history and balneology exhibition. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 4 Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church (Szentlélek római katolikus templom), Széchenyi utca 33. Built in 1999. It has seven towers. Church of the Holy Spirit Hévíz (Q20480002) on Wikidata OSM directions target=_blank
  • 5 Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church (Szent Magdolna római katolikus templom), Dombföldi utca. The Árpád-age church is one of the three intact Árpád-era churches in the Balaton Uplands, it is also mentioned as Hévíz's pearl. The church was built in the 13th century. The first mentioned in written records in 1314. Mary Magdalene church in Egregy (Q987903) on Wikidata OSM directions target=_blank
  • 6 Roman Ruins Garden (Villa Rustica, Római kori romkert), Attila utca. Remains of the Roman villa from the early imperial times. Free to visit. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 7 Tomb of the Roman Soldier (Római katona sírja), Dombföldi utca. OSM directions target=_blank

Further afield

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In Alsópáhok:

  • 8 Exaltation of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church (Szent Kereszt felmagasztalása római katolikus templom), Fő utca 120, Alsópáhok. Built in 1778 in Baroque style. OSM directions target=_blank

In Zalaapáti:

  • 9 Saint Adrian Roman Catholic Church and Benedictine Monastery (Szent Adorján római katolikus templom és Bencés rendház), Deák Ferenc utca, Zalaapáti. Built in 1781 in Baroque style. OSM directions target=_blank

In Zalacsány:

  • 10 Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Szeplőtelen Fogantatás római katolikus templom), Csány László utca 1, Zalacsány. Built in 1749 in Baroque style. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 11 Tersztyánszky Mansion (Tersztyánszky-kúria), Arany János utca 3, Zalacsány. Built in the beginning of 19th century in Classicist style. OSM directions target=_blank

In Zalavár:

  • 12 Historical Memorial Park Zalavár (Zalavári Történelmi Emlékpark), Vársziget, Zalavár, +36 92 500-719, . Mar 31–Oct 30 Tu–Su 10:00–18:00. Archaeological site and memorial park. Major ruins: Martyr Adrian’s church as a destination of pilgrimage (built around A.D. 855), Parish church / King Saint Stephen’s chapel (built in second half of the 11th century), bulwark of the monastery dating to the Árpádian Age (built at end of the 11th century). Major memorials: Cyril and Methodius Monument, Millennial Monument (built by Imre Makovecz in 2009). Free entrance. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 13 Kis-Balaton House (Kis-Balaton Ház), Vársziget, Zalavár, +36 83 710-002, . Mar 15–Oct 31 Tu–Su 09:00–12:00 13:00–18:00, Nov 1–Nov 15 Tu–Su 09:00–12:00 13:00–17:00. Exhibition about the natural assets of Kis-Balaton. Adult: 750 Ft; senior, student: 450 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 14 Ruins of Basilica (Bazilika romjai), Récéskút, Zalavár. Built in the 11th century in Romanesque style. Free to visit. OSM directions target=_blank

Do

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Waterlily on Lake Hévíz

Events

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Official events:

  • Carnival Fair (Farsangi Forgatag). In February.
  • Happy Peace Times in Hévíz (Boldog Békeidők Hévíze). In May.
  • Flavius Day (Flavius-nap). In May.
  • Angels and Thieves Art Festival (Angyalok és Csavargók Összművészeti Fesztivál). In June.
  • Farewell of Egregy (Egregyi Búcsú). In July.
  • Wine Festival of Hévíz (Hévízi Borünnep). In August.

Buy

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  • 1 Coop ABC, Petőfi Sándor utca 14, +36 83 515-658. 08:00–18:00. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 2 Coop ABC, Szent András utca 1, +36 83 340-067. M–F 06:30–18:00, Sa 06:30–15:00. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 3 Flavius Üzletház, Nagyparkoló tér 1, +36 83 340-104. M–Sa 08:00–20:00, Su 10:00–18:00. Supermarket. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 4 Small Farmer's Market in Hévíz (Hèvízi termelői piac), . Mar 27–Dec 31: Tu 07:00–13:00, Th 12:00–18:00, Sa 07:00–13:00, Jan 1–Mar 26: Th 13:00–18:00, Sa 08:00–13:00. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 5 Spar, Hévizi utca 18, Alsópáhok, +36 20 823-7960, . M–F 06:30–20:00, Sa–Su 06:30–18:00. Supermarket. OSM directions target=_blank

Eat

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This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget Under 2300 Ft
Mid-range 2300 Ft2700 Ft
Splurge Over 2700 Ft

Budget

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Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

In Hévíz:

In the surroundings:

  • 8 Castello Pizzeria, Dózsa György utca 317, Sármellék, +36 30 964-8386, . Tu–Th 11:00–20:00, F–Sa 11:00–21:00. Pizzeria with a few traditional food. 1400 Ft, pizza: 1100 Ft, hamburger: 600 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 9 Piros 7-es, Dózsa György utca 316, Sármellék, +36 30 829-9711. M–Th Su 06:00–20:00, F–Sa 06:00–21:00. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria. 1200 Ft, pizza: 1100 Ft, hamburger: 600 Ft, lunch menu: 900 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 10 Rózsa Büfé, Vasút utca 34, Zalacsány. M W–Su 12:00–15:00 17:00–20:00. Traditional restaurant. 1500 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 11 Sziklakert Restaurant, Dózsa György utca 65, Alsópáhok, +36 83 555-800, . 11:00–22:00. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine. 1890 Ft, pizza: 1590 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank

Mid-range

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In Hévíz:

In the surroundings:

  • 21 Az Én Anyósom, Hévízi utca 13, Alsópáhok, +36 83 344-232, . Self-service: 12:00–17:00; A'la carte: 12:00–22:00. Self-service and traditional restaurant with local cuisine. Self-service: 1150 Ft, A'la carte: 2390 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 22 Vadászcsárda, Arany János utca 1, Zalacsány, +36 83 336-009, . 10:00–22:00. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine and specialties like wild goulash and dödölle. 1990 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank

Splurge

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Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church

In Hévíz:

In the surroundings:

  • 34 Farm Inn, Örvényeshegy 20, Zalacsány, +36 70 348-0948, . Apr–Nov: F 17:00–22:00, Sa 12:00–22:00, Su 12:00–20:00. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine. 2890 Ft. OSM directions target=_blank

Drink

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Sleep

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This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under 15,000 Ft
Mid-range 15,000 Ft35,000 Ft
Splurge Over 35,000 Ft

Visitors can choose from lot kind of accommodation opportunities. According to the different demands there are 25–30 hotels, 25–30 guesthouses, 100–120 private accommodations and one camping place.

Budget

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Roman Ruins Garden

In Hévíz:

In the surroundings:

Mid-range

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Rákóczi utca in Hévíz

In Hévíz:

Splurge

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Historical Memorial Park Zalavár

In Hévíz:

In the surroundings:

Connect

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Hévíz's postal code is H-8380, and its telephone area code is 83.

  • 2 Town's Library (Városi Könyvtár), Rákóczi utca 17-19, +36 83 343-102. M 12:00–16:00, Th–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 09:00–13:00. Internet usage: 130 Ft per hour. OSM directions target=_blank
  • 3 Hévíz Post Office, Kossuth Lajos utca 4, +36 83 542-268, . M–F 08:00–16:00. OSM directions target=_blank

Go next

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  • Gyenesdiás – resort village at Lake Balaton 9 km (5.6 mi) east
  • Keszthely – town with historical downtown 7 km (4.3 mi) east
  • Pacsa – small town 21 km (13 mi) southwest
  • Sümeg – town with castle 25 km (16 mi) north
  • Vonyarcvashegy – resort village at Lake Balaton 12 km (7.5 mi) east
  • Zalakaros – town with famous thermal spa 32 km (20 mi) south
  • Zalaszentgrót – town with thermal bath 24 km (15 mi) northwest
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