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town in Hungary
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Europe > Central Europe > Hungary > Lake Balaton > Hévíz

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. (updated Jan 2019)

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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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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 3 Hévíz Downtown Museum (Belvárosi Múzeum), Rákóczi utca 9, ☏ +36 83 343-419, . M–Sa 09:00–17:00. Local history and balneology exhibition. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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 (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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 (updated Jan 2019)
  • 6 Roman Ruins Garden (Villa Rustica, Római kori romkert), Attila utca. Remains of the Roman villa from the early imperial times. Free to visit. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 7 Tomb of the Roman Soldier (Római katona sírja), Dombföldi utca. (updated Jan 2019)

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. (updated Jan 2019)

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. (updated Jan 2019)

In Zalacsány:

  • 10 Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Szeplőtelen Fogantatás római katolikus templom), Csány László utca 1, Zalacsány. Built in 1749 in Baroque style. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 11 Tersztyánszky Mansion (Tersztyánszky-kúria), Arany János utca 3, Zalacsány. Built in the beginning of 19th century in Classicist style. (updated Jan 2019)

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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 14 Ruins of Basilica (Bazilika romjai), Récéskút, Zalavár. Built in the 11th century in Romanesque style. Free to visit. (updated Jan 2019)
Waterlily on Lake Hévíz

Events

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Official events:

  • Carnival Fair (Farsangi Forgatag). In February. (updated Jan 2019)
  • Happy Peace Times in Hévíz (Boldog Békeidők Hévíze). In May. (updated Jan 2019)
  • Flavius Day (Flavius-nap). In May. (updated Jan 2019)
  • Angels and Thieves Art Festival (Angyalok és Csavargók Összművészeti Fesztivál). In June. (updated Jan 2019)
  • Farewell of Egregy (Egregyi Búcsú). In July. (updated Jan 2019)
  • Wine Festival of Hévíz (Hévízi Borünnep). In August. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 1 Coop ABC, Petőfi Sándor utca 14, ☏ +36 83 515-658. 08:00–18:00. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 2 Coop ABC, Szent András utca 1, ☏ +36 83 340-067. M–F 06:30–18:00, Sa 06:30–15:00. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 3 Flavius Üzletház, Nagyparkoló tér 1, ☏ +36 83 340-104. M–Sa 08:00–20:00, Su 10:00–18:00. Supermarket. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 5 Spar, Hévizi utca 18, Alsópáhok, ☏ +36 20 823-7960, . M–F 06:30–20:00, Sa–Su 06:30–18:00. Supermarket. (updated Jan 2019)
This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
BudgetUnder 2300 Ft
Mid-range2300 Ft–2700 Ft
SplurgeOver 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 10 Rózsa Büfé, Vasút utca 34, Zalacsány. M W–Su 12:00–15:00 17:00–20:00. Traditional restaurant. 1500 Ft. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)

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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 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. (updated Jan 2019)

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. (updated Jan 2019)

Drink

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Sleep

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This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
BudgetUnder 15,000 Ft
Mid-range15,000 Ft–35,000 Ft
SplurgeOver 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. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 3 Hévíz Post Office, Kossuth Lajos utca 4, ☏ +36 83 542-268, . M–F 08:00–16:00. (updated Jan 2019)

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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