Festetics Palace

Festetics Palace is a Baroque residence in Keszthely with over 100 rooms decorated with marble staircases, ornate details, and painted ceiling vaults. The rooms display furnishings from different periods, while exhibits feature historic carriages and model railway collections.

Construction began in 1745 when Kristóf Festetics rebuilt the structure on the ruins of an older fortress, which his descendants then expanded over generations into a grand residence. This gradual transformation reflects the family's growing wealth and influence.

The library here holds one of Hungary's largest collections of aristocratic books, spanning several centuries and showing how the family valued knowledge and learning.

Access is through guided tours of the furnished rooms, where visitors can explore the various displays at a comfortable pace. Wearing comfortable shoes is helpful, and it's worth allowing enough time to walk through the many spaces without rushing.

The palace grounds contain a restored Palm House from the 1880s where tropical plants thrive in Central Europe's cooler climate. The garden itself was designed following English principles, showing a rare blend of southern and northern European garden styles.

Location: Keszthely

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Part of: Balaton Uplands Cultural Landscape

Address: Kastély utca 1.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Phone: +3683314194

Website: https://helikonkastely.hu

GPS coordinates: 46.77060,17.24170

Latest update: December 16, 2025 08:24