Gyenesdiás, the resort village (Gyenesdiás)

Gyenesdiás is finely situated and has an excellent climate, diverse touristic and outstanding hospitality of its community. Gyenesdiás is now an ideal touristic target for any age group or class in a seek after careless and substantial quality holiday-making at favourable costs.

Lovers of nature can roam about Keszthely Hills to seek relaxation in a wonderful combination of quiet landscape, flora and fauna. Varied forests, plants, look-out towers and rest places make this region attractive for day-trippers. “Nagymező” (Big Meadow) is a popular meeting place for hikers and tourists because several routes following the natural tourist-sign meet at this point. The two lookout posts accessible from this point offer great views to the Keszthely Bay and the valleys of the surrounding hills.

The former quarry is still a severe wound on earth’s body, but also a spectacular pot-hole, charming in its incomprehensible way. The so-called Vadlánlik, a rare natural formation, a room-sized cavern delved by the wind, is also worth to visit.

Natural values

Varied forests, plants, look-out towers and rest places (Nagymező "Great Field" with playground and barbecue site are very popular) make this region attractive for day-trippers.

Nagymező (Great Field) – Festetics look-out tower – Forest sports field

The lowest part of the area (Nagymező) is lying 180 m above  sea level, and the highest point (Festetics look-out tower) is situated at an altitude of 235 m on the south-western part of the Keszthely Hills, 2.5 km from Lake Balaton.
Nagymező is one of the most popular beauty spots not only in Gyenesdiás but also in the Keszthely Hills where picnic facilities, tables, benches, a football field and a shelter against rain await tourists and nature lovers.
From the western part of Nagymező you can get to the highest peak of Mt. Kerek on tourist paths where you can find a three-storey look-out tower. From the Festetics look-out tower there is a wonderful view of the Keszthely bay and the rolling hill ridges parted by valleys of various sizes. The forest sports field can also be found in Nagymező. It is the scene of sport events and numerous schools and sports clubs put their pupils and trainees to the challenge here. The 1300 m long sports field which consists of 16 stations awaits both ”the young and the elderly”.

Vadlánlik Hill

Above the northern end of the vineyards there is a small cave in one of the rocks of the Ló (Horse) Hills which has been called Vadlánlik by people from the neighbourhood for centuries. This is a stone niche created by erosion caused by wind and enlarged by people. At the turn of the 19th century local people used it as a secret schnapps distillery. The hill is covered with a more than 70-year-old wood of Australian pines.

Mt. Kerek (Round), Kűmell (Ördög-szikla – Devil’s Rock)

Kűmell is the name of the peak of the nearly 30 m-high double dolomite rock in the western part of the hills, rising steep above the village at Lőtéri Street. Its ridge and the majority of the hill are covered with a 50-year-old wood of Australian pines. The cliffs can be accessed with great difficulty, which can be the reason why such an unchanged and intact plant vegetation could evolve on them. Of the many protected plants we have to point out the bee orchid and the sand iris with 30-40 flowering pieces each year.

Built heritage

Saint Helen’s Church of Gyenes

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 Helen on 18 August, 1826, commemorating Count Laszló’s daughter, Helen, as well. This is the only church in Hungary named after Saint Helen.

The Blessed Virgin’s Church of Diás

 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.

This log 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.

Statue of Virgin Mary

 The statue of Virgin Mary (Patrona Hungaria, i.e. ‘the Patron of Hungary’), consecrated in 1990, is located on the top of a hill above Highway No. 71, within a Nature Conservation Area. A work of art by Sándor Boldogfai Farkas, it also commemorates the last queen of Hungary, i.e. Queen Zita, wife of Emperor Charles IV.A

The Herdsman’s House:

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, the front room is occupied by a travel agency, while archeological relics of local history are on display in the two rooms at the rear.

Vitéz’s Cross

It was erected by János Vitéz and his wife, Anna Ságvári, in 1807. It is special for its long age and its date of erection being marked in cipher. The Roman numerals can be gathered from the Latin epigraph. There are several (i.e. 16) more, though younger, crosses in the village.

Accommodation in Gyenesdiás:

 http://www.hungaryrooms.com/hotels/Gyenesdiás/

Map of Gyenesdiás:

 http://www.hungaryrooms.com/map/Gyenesdiás/

Sightseeings in Gyenesdiás and its area »

Hotels Gyenesdiás offers |  Hotels Gyenesdiás |  Apartments Gyenesdiás |  Services for tourists Gyenesdiás

Customer reviews

Properties Gyenesdiás and its area

Villa Erika  (Alsópáhok)Customer rating: 91% (3)

Relax in Erika Apartment which is situated in the most beuatiful street of Hévíz, and recover the greatest igneous/vulcanic spa of Europe with water temperature of 24-32 grade Celcius throuhout the year. The continuous evaporation of the water creates a cloud bank that gives you... more »Relax in Erika Apartment which is situated in the most beuatiful street of Hévíz, and recover the greatest igneous/vulcanic spa of Europe with water temperature of 24-32 grade Celcius throuhout the year. The continuous evaporation of the water creates a cloud bank that gives you unforgettable experience. electricity, gas, toilet paper,towel, bed linen, bathroom with shower, roofed terraces and parking possibility in closed courtyard. . You can choose from a wide range of programmes: pleasure trip in Lake Balaton, boating in cave lake of Tapolca which is a unique spectacle. Excursion in Sümeg with the historical castle-games, tastig of excellent wines ont he countryside, hiking around the Kis-Balaton, fishing opportunities and sightseeing by Dotto tourist train.For all these programs become you 10 % reduction.

info site

mn. 11 EUR pers/night

Antónia Wellness Vendégház  (Alsópáhok)Customer rating: 96% (3)

Modern family-style guest house of the thermal Spa Heviz 3 km away, in a quiet, peaceful, hilly surroundings, a spacious green garden with a beautiful view of the spa and the surrounding vineyards. The tastefully designed accommodation equipped with TV, Wi-Fi internet access, refrigerator, shower /... more »Modern family-style guest house of the thermal Spa Heviz 3 km away, in a quiet, peaceful, hilly surroundings, a spacious green garden with a beautiful view of the spa and the surrounding vineyards. The tastefully designed accommodation equipped with TV, Wi-Fi internet access, refrigerator, shower / toilet , balcony, the apartments are in addition to this well-equipped kitchen and dining room. Services of the Person: infrared, outdoor pool, sun terrace, gym, garden furniture, children's playground, grilling and stewing pot facilities, parking. Other services: breakfast, half board, full board, coffee shop , Jacuzzi, massage, bicycle rental. Children of accommodation to 4 years old free of charge!

info site

mn. 14.81 EUR pers/night

SAMADARE Ház  (Alsópáhok)

Notre nouveau maison familiale, ouverte en evril 2003, se troure à Alsópáhok, un des villages les plus pittoresques de la région ouest du lac Balaton, à proximité des beau endroits de la côte: Balatongyörök, Szigliget, Badacsony, Tapolca et sa célèbre grotte ou se trouve un lac, et Sümeg avec son... more »Notre nouveau maison familiale, ouverte en evril 2003, se troure à Alsópáhok, un des villages les plus pittoresques de la région ouest du lac Balaton, à proximité des beau endroits de la côte: Balatongyörök, Szigliget, Badacsony, Tapolca et sa célèbre grotte ou se trouve un lac, et Sümeg avec son châteua. De belles excursions permettent de découvrir les beautés de Hévíz (1 km), station thermale de grande renomée, Keszthely (2 km), Kisbalaton (9 km), Kallósd (9 km), Kehidakustány (9 km), Zalaszántó (15 km), Zalakaros (30 km), ou Zalaegerszeg (40 km). Les nombreuses pistes cyclables à la découverte de de cette belle région vallonnée. De nombreuses activités sportives, tennis, squash, minigolf, centre de remise en forme, quiles, bowling, bobsleigh, go-cart, tir à l'arc, deltaplane, chasse et équitation peuvent être exercées.

info site

Páhok Vendéglő-Panzió  (Alsópáhok)Customer rating: 84% (2)

Stylish country guesthouse near two healing spas. Only 1 km away from HÉVIZ and 8 km away from KEHIDA public beach and aquapark. "Páhok" Panzió also lies 7 km away from Balaton, 30 km away from Zalakaros and 35 km away from AquaCity in Zalaegerszeg. The delicious Hungarian cuisine and broad... more »Stylish country guesthouse near two healing spas. Only 1 km away from HÉVIZ and 8 km away from KEHIDA public beach and aquapark. "Páhok" Panzió also lies 7 km away from Balaton, 30 km away from Zalakaros and 35 km away from AquaCity in Zalaegerszeg. The delicious Hungarian cuisine and broad selection of local wines await the visitors.

info site