Little Balaton Visitor Center

The Kis-Balaton Visitor Center awaits in a beautiful environment near Keszthely in Fenékpuszta, throughout the year. Through interactive exhibitions, we can get to know the location of István Fekete’s novels, the wildlife of Kis-Balaton, we can participate in guided tours, tours, and we can paddle on the Zala River.

Everything about the Little Balaton

Interactive Exhibition for Families

The Little-Balaton is a particularly valuable wetland in European terms, which once formed one of the basins of the Balaton, up to the water regulation. The Visitor Center, opened in 2020 and open all year round, presents its formation, history, animal and plant world (including hundreds of bird species), which is an integral part of István Fekete’s Tüskevár novel.

“Dear staff, nice and new playground for children. On the roof of the building there is also a nature trail. The exhibition inside is very interesting, put together well. I especially liked the pollinators section. Everything is child-friendly, interactive. Don’t miss the short film, which is a great compilation. It shows the wildlife of Kis-Balaton season by season.”

Gabi AngolLocal Guide

An interesting factWe have known István Fekete, the author of numerous youth books, novels and animal stories, since our elementary school days. We can revere him as the most read Hungarian writer after Jókai Mór, whose works have been translated into more than ten languages. His most famous novels are Vuk and Tüskevár, the latter taking place in the reed beds around the Little Balaton, in Matula bácsi's hut and surroundings.

The Visitor Center has a modern approach and its tools are interactive, so it is perfect for a family program, as it appeals to all ages. In front of the Visitor Center there is also a playground for children, and the unique nature trail on the roof of the building is popular too. The experience is completed by a cinema. If we get hungry or thirsty, there is a restaurant to satisfy our appetite.

HintDiscover the Small Balaton! The Visitor Center organizes guided tours to the Diás Island István Fekete Memorial Site and Matula Hut, as well as other sites of the Small Balaton. We have the opportunity to paddle on the Zala River.

Approach

Fenékpuszta is located next to Keszthely, is one of the settlements of the city. We have to head towards Balatonszentgyörgy if we arrive by car, then turn onto the 76th road from the 71st road towards Sármellék at the roundabout. The visitor center can also be reached by bike, we also have to head towards the southern shore, a sign will indicate the Fenékpuszta [Madárgyűrűző and Madármentő Station- Bird ringing and bird rescue station] after which we can continue towards the visitors center by crossing the motorway.

Kis-Balaton Water Conservation System

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Kis-Balaton Water Conservation System, the West-Transdanubian Water Management Directorate and the Balaton-felvidéki National Park Directorate have prepared a map of the areas within the water conservation system that can be freely accessed by bicycle and on foot.