Thury Castle in Várpalota brings together two clearly distinct themes: visitors can enjoy an escape room there, and in four rooms the Várpalota Mining History Collection presents the history of local coal mining, which began in 1876. There are also a variety of exhibitions for visitors of all ages and with different interests. Those who make the castle their main focus will find both a playful activity and cultural and mining history. Check the latest details about the escape room and visitor information for the collection before your trip.

Church Architecture and Craft Traditions

Inota, now the eastern district of Várpalota, offers a distinctive architectural focus. The Szent-István Church retains its medieval form; the sacristy, modern-era round-arched windows and façade tower were added later. The preserved medieval form and later additions thus stand side by side. Those interested in architectural history can therefore view the church through its different architectural elements.

Local craft history adds another dimension: many people in Várpalota made cifraszűr, a richly decorated Hungarian shepherd’s cloak. This historic craft tradition complements the themes of the castle and church architecture with a textile heritage. Together, these highlights offer different ways to experience the town: exhibitions and mining history at Thury Castle, architectural styles in Inota, and a traditional craft heritage.

Lake Balaton - North: More Highlights in the Wider Region

In the wider Lake Balaton - North destination, Tapolcai-tavasbarlang offers its own highlights. Tapolcai-tavasbarlang offers boat trips and the guided “Csodálatos karszt” (“Wonderful Karst”) exhibition. It is part of a cave system beneath the town that has been explored to a length of 14.6 kilometres so far. The cave, boat trip and exhibition combine nature-related themes with a guided introduction to karst.

In the wider Lake Balaton - North destination, Hegyestű is a 337-metre-high mountain between Zánka and Monoszló. Here, the inside of a basalt volcano that was active about eight million years ago is exposed. At the viewpoint on the western edge of the quarry site, a panoramic sign helps visitors identify the surrounding hills. A rock garden featuring characteristic rock types from Transdanubia adds to the geological highlights. Landscape, rock and orientation are thus all in focus at this named site.

In the wider Lake Balaton - North destination, the Herend Porcelain Museum and the Levendula Ház in Tihany offer cultural alternatives. The Herend Porcelain Museum presents a permanent exhibition and changing exhibitions about the history of the manufactory. The visitor centre introduces visitors to porcelain production, techniques and traditions of applied arts. At the Minimanufactory workshops, visitors can handle porcelain paste and a brush for painting. In Tihany, Levendula Ház presents an interactive exhibition about the formation of the peninsula and lavender cultivation; it also features a craft workshop and an experience garden.

A simple distinction can help when choosing a destination: Várpalota offers the castle, architecture and craft themes mentioned above; the wider Lake Balaton - North destination also has caves, geology, porcelain and lavender, among other highlights.

Discover more destinations: Jásd, Berhida, Pétfürdő, Tés

Go to the main travel overview: Várpalotai.