Festetics Castle – Palm House and Bird Park
Stepping into the Palm House and Bird Park from the Keszthely Castle Park, a fairy-tale, exotic world opens up to us. In the park, we can get to know hundreds of Mediterranean and special plants, as well as many interesting bird species close-up.
Exotic World in the Neighborhood of the Castle
If we turn left in the Castle Park, before we reach the lion fountain, and cross the gate, we can feel as if we have dropped into a fairy-tale, foreign world. The foundations of this world were created by Count Tasziló Festetics II. in the 1880s. The exotic plants, animals, aquariums, garden ponds, rock gardens were part of the court of rulers and noblemen in that era.
“Palm House and Bird Park. Very decorative and captivating. We were lucky, the swamp hibiscus and the demonstration pieces of the cactus exhibition were in bloom. The Bird Park is very cute. The birds walk around arm’s length, living their everyday life. One would think they let themselves be petted.”
Attila KiszelLocal Tour Guide
Palm House
Originally opened in 2012 as a “plant sanatorium” or “orangerie”, the large palms and potted plants of the castle were cared for here. We can see the most special and beautiful plants of the Mediterranean world and distant lands, such as Hawaiian roses, various cactus varieties.
There are also plants that need protection, which are in danger of extinction. Another group consists of “useful plants” whose fruits we consume every day, but we do not know where and on which plant they grow. This includes coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, banana, ginger or citrus fruits. The museum’s undisguised goal is to educate visitors to be sensitive to nature and emphasize how important environmentally friendly farming is today. The Palm House is surrounded by a nearly 1000 m2 rock garden, lake and aquarium, in which Balaton fish swim.
Bird Park
The Bird Park opened its doors to visitors in 2016. In the park we can meet waterfowl, peacocks, even species native to China and Australia. If we are sharp-eyed, we can even spot the world’s smallest waterfowl, the Hottentotta rail. If we wish, we can even feed the park’s inhabitants from our hands!
Tickets and Other Services
The Helikon Castle Museum offers several discounted tickets (e.g. for large families) to its visitors. We can choose from various ticket combinations.
3D Panorama
Informations
Show on Map8360 Keszthely, Kastély utca 1.
Availability
- 8360 Keszthely, Kastély utca 1. Route planning
- +36 83/312- XXX Show
- +36 30/448- XXX Show
- helikonkastely.titkarsag@nofnkft.hu
- https://helikonkastely.hu/palmahaz-es-madarpark/
- Google Business Profile
Open hours
- Whole year
- OpenClosing: 17:00
- Tuesday (today) 10:00-17:00
- Wednesday 10:00-17:00
- Thursday 10:00-17:00
- Friday 10:00-17:00
- Saturday 10:00-17:00
- Sunday 10:00-17:00
- Monday closed