Zalaegerszeg is a Hungarian city known for its rich history and natural beauty, offering a unique and authentic Hungarian atmosphere. The fascinating history of the city is most evident in the historic centre, where preserved buildings from the 18th century amaze. The Town Hall Square impresses with its architecture and lively atmosphere. And in the Town Hall itself, the interior will amaze you and you will learn a lot about the history of the city.
In the vicinity is the Kis-Balaton Nature Reserve, a paradise for bird lovers, offering over 200 species of birds and breathtaking landscapes. If you want to relax, visit one of the city’s thermal baths, such as the Göcsej Thermal Bath, where you can relax in soothing thermal waters surrounded by peaceful natural landscapes.
Also visit the Zala County Museum, which showcases the region’s rich heritage through its impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits. Don’t forget to catch one of the performances at the Zalaegerszeg Theatre, from classical plays to contemporary dance.
Location
Zalaegerszeg is a town with county status and the seat of Zala megye in western Hungary. It is located on the right bank of the Zala River.
Gébárti-tó
Lake Gébárti is located in the northern part of Zalaegerszeg. Both ends of the horseshoe-shaped lake are 0.5–3 meters deep, while the middle part, by the dam, is 8–10 meters deep. Its beautifully landscaped surroundings offer pleasant recreational opportunities for bathers, water sports enthusiasts and anglers.
There are walking paths around it, and there is a beach on the peninsula. The lake and its surroundings, which were artificially created in 1976-79, also include a unique bathing complex: AquaCity Water Slide and Adventure Park, the Zalaegerszeg Thermal Baths and the beach on Lake Gébárti await visitors.
Földönjáró toronyóra
The only above-ground clock tower in the world is located opposite the Hevesi Sándor Theatre, on Kosztolányi Square. The clock mechanism, almost 200 years old, can be seen in action, in a way that is unique in the world, inside a glass house. The machine, designed by architect Károly Szerdahelyi, is placed in a glass cage 3.10 metres wide, while the weights and counterweights – clearly visible – are lowered into a three-metre-deep shaft below the surface.
Göcseji tulipán-szökőkút
The Göcseji Tulip Fountain is located in the city’s main square. Dísza Square, built in the 1970s, is the largest square in the city and is currently the center of Zalaegerszeg. Water flows from the stamens of a tulip between its petals. A round, artificial stone pool with copper tulip petals and a copper ball in the center. Tourists often take pictures here.
The Town Concert and Exhibition Hall
The renovated old synagogue was converted into a concert hall after World War II. The hall is known for its impressive acoustics, making it a great venue for both local and international performers. Whether you are a music enthusiast looking to see a live performance or an art lover looking to explore innovative exhibitions, this venue has something for everyone. The programme is varied and events often feature local artists, giving visitors a unique chance to experience Zalaegerszeg culture first-hand.
Zalaegerszegi Mária Magdolna Plébániatemplom
The main church of Zalaegerszeg, the parish church of Mary Magdalene, was built in 1750-60. There are three beautiful bas-reliefs on the façade. Above the main entrance, in the center, in the most visible place, you can see a representation of the so-called “Eye of God”. It can be used both as a coat of arms and a religious symbol.
Göcseji Múzeum
Since 2023, the Göcseji Museum has been a member institution of the Zalaegerszeg Museums Directorate, together with the Göcseji Open Air Museum and the Mindszentyneum Visitor Centre.
The renovated museum offers art lovers five permanent exhibitions:
- A new exhibition on the lifestyle and history of the city entitled Life of the Ancestors,
- A Dreamer of Clay for Life, a collection by János Németh,
- The Kisfaludi Strobl Zsigmond exhibition entitled Master of Classical Beauty,
- The exhibition entitled Mosaics of Sacrifice by György Fekete, interior designer and industrial artist,
- The exhibition entitled – In the Charm of Watches – A Selection from the Collection of Watchmaker József Preisz.
THERMAL Zalaegerszeg
The Zalaegerszeg Thermal Bath awaits visitors with thermal water, rich in valuable minerals and unforgettable light therapy bathing. The three pleasure pools of 33-36°C connected by three waterfalls offer different aquatic pleasures to visitors while children are awaited by a rainbow slide and different water toys in the children’s castle.
Göcseji Village Museum
The Göcseji Village Museum is an open-air ethnographic museum located on a branch of the Zala River that flows through the city and by an old watermill. The collection was brought to the site from 22 settlements in Zala, and on the grounds of the open-air museum there is a reconstructed 19th-century settlement in Göcseji, where visitors can also see everyday objects from the region. The Zalaegerszeg Open-Air Museum is the essence of Göcsej, one of the most archaic regions of the country, which emerged in the 20th century. It existed in almost undisturbed isolation until the mid-19th century.
AquaCity Waterslide and Adventure Park
The 6,000 m2 water adventure park is a great attraction for the whole family. Try one of our seven giant water slides, or even all of them! Dive into the foam of the largest wave pool in the country, float in the gentle and slow-moving water, test your courage and take a deep dive in the diving pool or challenge yourself on the climbing wall, relax in the jacuzzi pool and then cool off in the other pools.
Children and babies can enjoy time in the pools that we have especially for their entertainment. For beach sports enthusiasts, we proudly offer the possibility of playing beach volleyball and our beach soccer courts. And the outdoor fitness park also offers recreation.
