Gyenesdiás

Gyenesdiás is a lovely resort village only 100 kilometres from the western border of Hungary, in the West Balaton region 15 kilometres from the Hévíz-Balaton Airport. The towns of Keszthely, known for its fascinating Festetics Palace, and Hévíz with its world famous spa are only a few kilometres from here.

Understand

Gyenesdiás – with its 4000 inhabitants – is the perfect holiday resort especially for those who want to spend their holiday at the Lake Balaton actively and joyfully. Gyenesdiás has a lot to offer for every age and interest from relaxation to entertainment and a wide variety of recreation.

Get in

By train

Trains are available about every two hours from Balatonszentgyörgy to Ukk (junction point to Veszprém and Zalaegerszeg) via Keszthely and Tapolca. The journey from Keszthely takes 5 minutes and costs 250 Ft. From Budapest you have to transfer in Balatonszentgyörgy. The whole journey from Budapest takes less than 3 hours and costs 3675 Ft.

Other direct connections are:

At the summer, direct trains are available from Győr, Pécs, and Szombathely.

🌍 Gyenesdiás Train Station (Close to Madách utca), +36 1 349-4949, e-mail: . There is no ticket office, tickets can be purchased on the train.

By bus

Buses are available from Budapest-Népliget four times a day. The journey takes 3.5–4 hours and costs 3705 Ft. More frequent buses are available from Keszthely. The journey takes 10–15 minutes and costs 250 Ft.

By boat

Boats are available between Apr 28–Sep 30 from Balatongyörök to Balatonmáriafürdő, Keszthely, Szigliget and Badacsony.

🌍 Balatongyörök Port, Balatongyörök, +36 84 310-050, e-mail: . Scheduled boating: 1400–1800 Ft, one hour pleasure-boating: 1800 Ft.

Get around

There is no local public transport or taxi service. You can use the regional buses operated by ÉNYKK.

By bike

Balaton Bicycle Road is a good way explore the beaches and other attractions in the area.

There is a bike rental network. Bikes can be pick up and hand down in any Tourinform offices in this region (Keszthely, Gyenesdiás, Vonyarcvashegy, Balatongyörök and Héviz). Bike rental: 1500 Ft for two hours, 2200 Ft for one day.

See

Grave goods from the Avar cemetery of Gyenesdiás

In Gyenesdiás:

  • 🌍 Avar History Exhibition (Herdsman's House, Avar Történeti Kiállítás, Pásztorház), Kossuth Lajos utca 97, +36 83 314-507. May–Sep: Tu–F 09:00–12:00; Oct–Apr: only by appointment. A typical item of rustic architectural traditions, it was built in the middle of the 19th century for the current local herdsman’s official quarters. The building now owned by the Municipality, archeological relics of local history are on display in the two rooms at the rear. In ended of the '80s, – in the area, – found a intact tomb of the greatest leader of Avar (around AD. 660). The Avar was a Caucasian native ethnic group, the most predominant of several ethnic groups living in the Russian republic of Dagestan. Huns was one of this ethnic groups. The exhibit shows the contemporary burial customs and the tomb of the leader in its original form. Free entrance.
  • 🌍 Berzsenyi Lookout (Berzsenyi-kilátó). Lookout tower on the top of Pető Hill.
  • 🌍 Darnay's Wine Cellar (Darnay-féle boronapince), Darnay utca 10, +36 20 938-1588, e-mail: . Th–Sa 16:00–20:00. A wine cellar from the 17th century is a typical item of original rustic architecture. Its main girder beam carries the date of 1644 engraved. Log cellars used to be built as long as landowners let people cut and use oaks, which used to grow in neighbouring woods in abundance and offer a useful building material. The wine exhibition renovated in 2012 offers its visitor wine tasting opportunity as well.
  • 🌍 Festetics Lookout (Festetics-kilátó). Lookout tower on the top of Varsás Hill.
  • 🌍 House of Nature (Természet Háza), Szent Erzsébet út, +36 30 656-0830, e-mail: . Sep–May: 09:00–17:00; Jun–Aug: 09:00–19:00. Visitor center. Exhibition of Keszthely Hills wildlife. There is also a cafe, a bar and a gift shop. Adult: 600 Ft; senior, student: 400 Ft; children: 200 Ft.
  • 🌍 Our Lady of Snow Chapel (Havas Boldogasszony-kápolna), Kossuth Lajos utca 45. It was erected in the place of a former chapel, to the design of Ákos Radits, an architect from Budapest, in 1894. Most of the building costs were covered by the estate of deceased Mihály Dornyai. Some of the building material was provided by Count Tasziló Festetics, while the costs of equipment were borne by the inhabitants of Diás. The polychromic altar of Renaissance style was made by József Runggaldier, a sculptor from Gröden, Tyrol.
  • 🌍 Saint Helena Chapel (Szent Ilona-kápolna), Temető utca 1. As early as 1807, the inhabitants of the vine-growing village decided to erect a chapel for God. To this end, they demolished the ruins of the Saint Elizabeth's Church of the former village of Falud. Since Count György Festetics, the then owner of the land, did not approve of the construction, the stones from demolition were sold and the capital obtained this way was deposited at interest. After Count Festetics died, his son, László Festetics, encouraged the construction of the chapel and allotted an area for this purpose. The classical church was completed in a matter of a year and dedicated to Saint Helena on 18 August 1826, commemorating Count Laszló’s daughter, Helena, as well. This is the only church in Hungary named after Saint Helena.
  • 🌍 Saint John of Nepomuk Spring (Nepomuki Szent János-forrás), Malom utca. There is a statue about Saint John of Nepomuk, which was erected by János Talabér in 1828.
  • 🌍 Vadlány Hole (Vadlány-lik). A simple wind-carved, room-sized cave. The cave opening is actually a stone cabin formed by wind erosion, which was further extended in artificially. Around 1900s most likely used as a secret distillery site. Free to visit.

In Balatongyörök:

  • 🌍 Batsányi Lookout (Batsányi-kilátó), Balatongyörök. Lookout tower on the top of Pap Hill.
  • 🌍 Mátyás Bél Lookout (Bél Mátyás-kilátó), Balatongyörök. Lookout tower on the top of Garga Hill.
  • 🌍 Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church (Szent Mihály arkangyal római katolikus templom), Kossuth Lajos utca 3, Balatongyörök. Built between 1831 and 1833 in late–Baroque style.
  • 🌍 Szépkilátó, Balatongyörök. Lookout point to the Lake Balaton, provides a very beautiful panorama. There is a roman spring nearby. Free to visit..

In Vonyarcvashegy:

  • 🌍 Chapel of Vonyarc (Vonyarci kápolna), Fő utca, Vonyarcvashegy. Built in 1836 in Classicist style.
  • 🌍 Festetics Helikon Taverna Exhibition Hall of Wine-making and Gastronomy (Festetics Cellar and Press House, Festetics Helikon Taverna Borászati és Gasztronómiai Kiállítótér, Festetics-pince és présház), Helikon utca 22, Vonyarcvashegy, +36 83 348-004, e-mail: . By appointment only.. Built around 1820. Adult: 2000 Ft, children: 1000 Ft.
  • 🌍 Pál Kitaibel Lookout (Kitaibel Pál-kilátó), Vonyarcvashegy. Lookout tower.
  • 🌍 Saint Michael Chapel (Szent Mihály-kápolna), Szentmihálydomb, Vonyarcvashegy. Built in 1870.

Do

Beaches

Balaton Bicycle Road

There are two beaches available in Gyenesdiás and two in the surroundings for the lovers of bathing, swimming and sunshine.

  • 🌍 Beach in Diás (Diási Játékstrand), Strand utca 3, Gyenesdiás, +36 83 316-007. Jun 15–Aug 31: 08:00–18:00; Dream Beach Cocktail Bar: May–Sep: M–Th Su 09:00–01:00, F Sa 09:00–03:00; Napfénylagúna Restaurant: Jun–Aug: 10:00–20:00; BisztRóka Food Bar: Jun–Aug: 09:00–19:00. Services: playground, natural paddling-pool, once free slip on the giant water slide; animation: kids’ programmes, sport championships, mini disco. Sport fields such as beach volleyball courts with lights, beach football field, table tennis, streetball field, chess, water polo, heading goals, basketball, volleyball, water aerobics. Spacious lawn for sun seekers. Rentals, free internet, restaurants, snack-bars and free parking. Adult: 850 Ft, children: 500 Ft, average meal: 1590 Ft, hamburger: 990 Ft. Beyond of the opening hours, the beach can be visited for free.
  • 🌍 Beach in Gyenes (Gyenesi Lidóstrand), Oppel Imre sétány, Gyenesdiás, +36 83 316-008. Jun 15–Aug 31: 08:00–18:00. It is preferred by families with kids and sun seekers due to its cosy and intimate atmosphere. In addition to bathing the beach attracts the active guests with beach volleyball and beach football. Adult: 550 Ft, children: 400 Ft. Beyond of the opening hours, the beach can be visited for free.
  • 🌍 Beach of Balatongyörök (Balatongyöröki strand), Balatongyörök. Jun–Aug: 08:00–19:00; Mangó Beach Pizzeria and Restaurant: May–Sep: 10:00–00:00; Pizzakert: May–Aug: 10:00–23:00; Party Csóka Restaurant: May–Sep: 09:00–21:40; Black Sheep Grill and Lounge: Jun–Aug: 10:00–21:30. Adult: 800 Ft, children: 400 Ft, average meal: 1950 Ft, pizza: 1650 Ft, hamburger: 800 Ft. Beyond of the opening hours, the beach can be visited for free.
  • 🌍 Lido Beach of Vonyarcvashegy (Vonyarcvashegyi Lidó Strand), Fürdő utca 1, Vonyarcvashegy, +36 83 348-131, e-mail: . Jun 9–Sep 2: 8:00-18:00; Táltos Pizzeria: Tu–Su 10:30–21:30. Adult: 900 Ft; senior, student: 500 Ft, children: 400 Ft, pizza: 1550 Ft.

Sport

  • 🌍 Nagymező. Excursion place. Good place for picnic and bacon roasting. Good starting point for hiking and Nordic walking tours in the Keszthely Hills to viewing towers, springs, caves etc. The National Blue Hiking Route leads through Gyenesdiás, along with other designated tracks it leads you into the heart of the Keszthely Hills, to Büdöskút. Free to visit.
  • 🌍 Angyal Riding Hall, Agyagos utca 7, Vonyarcvashegy, +36 30 566-1986, e-mail: .
  • 🌍 Golfclub Imperial Balaton, Balatongyörök, +36 83 346-031, e-mail: . Mar 11–Nov 18.
  • 🌍 Kneipp Experience Walkway (Kneipp élménysétány), Balatongyörök. 800 m long experience walkway with Kneipp points. Free to visit.
  • 🌍 Minigolf, Böngyér utca 1, Balatongyörök, +36 30 989-4363, e-mail: . Jun–Sep: 10:00–00:00.
  • 🌍 Rest area of Bélap (Bélapi pihenőhely), Balatongyörök. Excursion place. Free to visit.

Events

Official events:

Buy

J&A Kerámia
  • 🌍 First Fish and Small Farmers’ Market of Balaton (Első Balatoni Hal- és Termelői Piac), Kárpáti korzó, e-mail: . Apr 7–Jun 17 Sep 3–Sep 30: Sa Su 10:00–21:00; Jún 18–Sep 2: M–F 16:00–21:00, Sa Su 10:00–21:00. Buy products of small farmers like flat bread, stove cake, homemade marmalade and syrup, fruit and vegetables, honey etc.
  • 🌍 J&A Kerámia, Kossuth Lajos utca 103, +36 83 316-504, e-mail: . 10:00–18:00. A souvenir shop in a folk house. Here can you see and buy potteries. Usage and decorative objects are from the most important Hungarian pottery regions. Provides to the guests the opportunity disc modeling by appointment. The finished pieces are fired upon request.
  • 🌍 Liget Plaza, Kereskedők útja 4-6, +36 83 314-561. Pláza Bistro: M–F 10:00–15:00. Shopping center. Lunch menu in the bistro: 1390 Ft.
  • 🌍 Coop ABC, Kossuth Lajos utca 93, +36 83 312-474. M–F 06:30–18:00, Sa 06:30–13:00.
  • 🌍 Coop ABC, Kossuth Lajos utca 68, Balatongyörök, +36 83 346-012. M–F 06:45–18:45, Sa Su 07:00–14:00.
  • 🌍 Coop ABC, Kossuth Lajos utca 40, Vonyarcvashegy, +36 83 348-031. M–F 07:00–19:00, Sa 07:00–14:00, Su 07:00–11:00.

Eat

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
BudgetUnder 2300 Ft
Mid-range2300–2800 Ft
SplurgeOver 2800 Ft

Hungarian cuisine with famous wines. Family-friendly restaurants provide for the kids, so that everybody can enjoy their lunch.

Budget

In Gyenesdiás:

In the surroundings:

Mid-range

Darnay's Wine Cellar

In Gyenesdiás:

In the surroundings:

Splurge

In Gyenesdiás:

  • 🌍 Piroska Csárda, Faludi utca 7 (North of Hwy 71. About a km North of Alsógyenes Train Station), +36 83 316-301, e-mail: . Tu–Th Su 11:00–15:00, F Sa 11:00–22:00. Richly carved Transylvanian gate in front of the lovely, shingled house. The menu includes Hungarian, and international dishes plus some Sekler specialties can be found. BBQ night on Thursdays. A dozen different main dish made from turkey breast, trout, sirloin, Knuckle, porkchop, duck, venison. Spoken languages: Hungarian, German.
  • 🌍 Torony Csárda, Napfény utca 1, +36 83 316-847, e-mail: . 12:00–22:00. A roadside restaurant. Wide choice, delicious game and fish dishes,Hungarian and international cuisine.Light Meals, Fish, Beef, Pork, Poultry, Game dishes.

In the surroundings:

Drink

Cafes

House of Nature

Pubs and nightclubs

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
BudgetUnder 13000 Ft
Mid-range13000–20000 Ft
SplurgeOver 20000 Ft

Private accommodation have a tradition for approximately 30 years in the village, but tourism has a history of 100 years. Hotel, B&B places with their own swimming pool and different wellness services are here, as well as over half hundred private accommodation.

Budget

Saint John of Nepomuk Spring

In Gyenesdiás:

  • 🌍 Caraván Camping, Madách utca 43 (North of Gyenesdiás Train Station), +36 83 316-020, e-mail: . Mar 20–Jan 6. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Locted in a quiet zone include a outdoor swimming pool. Three and four person mobile home are rentable. Bike rental for hour, for day or for week. Trailer, tent and scooter rental. WiFi.
  • 🌍 Szent Ilona Camping, Lőtéri utca 36, +36 30 480-0010. Jun 1–Oct 15; Szent Ilona Csárda Restaurant: Apr 15–Sep 30: 12:00–23:30. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine. 50 kinds of high-quality Hungarian wine selection. Fresh bread from the oven.
  • 🌍 Vadóctanya Hostel, Tulipán utca 3, +36 20 924-0805, e-mail: . 23 rooms. 3300 Ft per person.

In the surroundings:

Mid-range

In Gyenesdiás:

In the surroundings:

Splurge

Lookout from Szépkilátó on Balatongyörök

In Gyenesdiás:

In the surroundings:

Connect

Gyenesdiás' postal code is H-8315, and its telephone area code is 83.

Go next

  • Hévíz – town with natural thermal lake 9 km west
  • Keszthely – town with historical downtown 3 km west
  • Marcali – town 36 km south
  • Pacsa – small town 27 km west
  • Sümeg – town with castle 25 km north
  • Tapolca – town with cave lake 23 km northeast
  • Zalaszentgrót – town with thermal bath 32 km northwest

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