Keszthely is a charming town on the western shore of Lake Balaton, one of the region's most important cultural and tourist hubs. With its blend of aristocratic heritage, lakeside charm and lively cultural scene, it's a wonderful base for anyone exploring the western Balaton area.

The town sits in the westernmost corner of Lake Balaton, surrounded by the gentle countryside of Transdanubia. Summers bring a lively holiday atmosphere with visitors flocking to the lakeshore, while quieter seasons reveal the town's historic streets and elegant architecture at a more relaxed pace.

• Keszthely makes a convenient starting point for exploring the gentle landscapes around western Lake Balaton, popular for lakeside walks and cycling routes through the surrounding Transdanubian countryside.

• Festetics Palace - a grand mansion built by the Festetics family, home to the Helikon Library with its collection of antique encyclopedias and rare prints.
• Church of the Great Lady of Hungary - the town's oldest surviving building, dating to around 1390, housing Hungary's largest Gothic fresco and the Festetics family tombs.
• Georgikon - founded in 1797 by György Festetics, Europe's first institute of higher agricultural education, now part of the University of Pannonia.

Every September, the town comes alive with an international barrel organ festival, a quirky tradition that has drawn performers from across Europe since 2013.