Zalaszabar lies on the western shore of Kis-Balaton, among gentle hills bordered by forests. Zobori Adventure Park, the Szűz Mária Szent neve Church and Kányaváry Borbirtok give the village three specific points of interest: recreation, architectural history and wine.

Adventure and Architectural History in Zalaszabar

Zobori Adventure Park in Zalaszabar offers year-round indoor and outdoor adventures for the whole family. Attractions include a roller coaster, slides, a drop tower, a Tubby slide and a boat slide. The range of attractions therefore offers something specific for visitors interested in both rides and slides. If the park is important to your trip, check its current operating status before you travel.

The Szűz Mária Szent neve Church in Zalaszabar is fully protected as a historic monument. Buzád bán had a significant part of the church built around the 1230s. The protection of the entire building and the dating of a significant part of its construction therefore go hand in hand. For travellers interested in architectural history, the church is a distinct local cultural highlight.

Book Your Wine Tasting in Advance

Advance booking is required for a wine tasting at Kányaváry Borbirtok in Zalaszabar. As this requirement may change, confirm your booking before your visit. This means planning for a wine tasting differs from planning for the Adventure Park: advance booking is essential for the tasting, while you should check the park’s current operating status.

Kis-Balaton within the Wider Destination of Zala

Within the wider destination of Zala, Kis-Balaton is the largest body of water. It is under strict protection, covers 14,745 hectares and provides the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. For Zalaszabar, its location on the western shore thus connects the village with a broader natural and literary perspective. Its protected status and literary associations offer different ways of looking at the same area.

The Zalai Borvidék is also part of the wider destination of Zala. It developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The wine region comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. This geographical perspective illustrates the regional spread of winegrowing in Zala.

More Experiences in Zala

Within the wider destination of Zala, you can explore the Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum along a 1.5-kilometre walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints. Visitors may pet tame animals daily during opening hours. The Water Buffalo Festival takes place at the reserve every year in May or June; dates may vary from year to year. Different timings apply when planning: petting the animals is tied to opening hours, while the festival takes place on a date that varies during the year.

Cultural highlights in Zala also include the Kotsy-vízimalom in Zalaszántó and the Festetics kastély in Keszthely. At the mill, you can see a working 390 cm overshot waterwheel mechanism. The castle is Hungary’s fourth largest and has 101 rooms. Alongside the church’s architectural history in Zalaszabar, these offer different cultural interests in the destination of Zala, from mechanical engineering to a large castle complex.

Discover more destinations: Gelse, Zalamerenye, Garabonc, Nagyrada, Galambok, Kisrécse, Zalasárszeg, Zalakaros

To the wider travel overview: Zalakarosi.