Nagyrada between Kis-Balaton and Szelemi Hill
Accommodation in Nagyrada
Nagyrada combines its proximity to the Kis-Balaton with walking routes through the village, Szelemi Hill and a Neo-Gothic church. The village lies almost directly beside the Kis-Balaton and the Balaton Uplands National Park. Reed beds along the edges of Nagyrada’s gardens are part of the Kis-Balaton and are a popular nesting site for waterbirds. The lakeshore landscape, walks and architectural history offer different starting points for a stay.
File:A HĂdvĂ©gi-tĂł, Nagyrada Szölöhegy felĹ‘l nĂ©zve. Foto Victor Belousov - panoramio - Victor Belousov.jpg
Photo: Victor Belousov via Source, CC BY 3.0
Lakeshore access and walking routes
The shore of the Kis-Balaton near Nagyrada can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. So if you include the lakeshore in your day’s plans, bear this access condition in mind. A dusty, winding path leads from Nagyrada to the shore; it starts opposite the church. Szelemi Hill can also be included as a walking destination: the vineyard hill invites you to stroll through the village and hike up to its summit.
The two routes differ mainly in their destinations. One leads from Nagyrada to the shore of the Kis-Balaton, while the other runs through the village and up Szelemi Hill. This lets you decide whether you would rather focus on the waterside landscape or the vineyard hill during your walk, without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.
Church and local history
Nagyrada’s Neo-Gothic church was completed in 1894. The main nave contains an altarpiece by János Vaszary. It depicts King Stephen handing the crown to Mary and entrusting her with the care of Hungary. The windows are another distinctive feature: seven circular windows above the altar represent the seven sacraments.
A cross dedicated to Saint Urban stands on Szelemi Hill. Every year on Urban’s feast day, the priest celebrates Mass in front of it, where winemakers ask for a blessing for the coming year. Cezar Winery is also located on the hill. The church, cross and vineyard hill thus offer different cultural and local perspectives on Nagyrada.
The wider Zala region
In the wider destination of Zala, the Kis-Balaton is the largest body of water. It is under strict protection, covers 14,745 hectares and is the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. In Nagyrada, you can experience the Kis-Balaton up close at the shore and on the path leading there.
Considering Nagyrada as a place to stay
When choosing where to stay, you can first consider which of the village’s documented features should shape your travel plans: the route to the shore, a walk over Szelemi Hill or the church’s architecture. If the Kis-Balaton is your main focus, factor in that the shore can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Nagyrada offers specific points of interest that you can compare with your own ideas for walks, landscapes and culture.
Discover more destinations: BalatonmagyarĂłd, Garabonc, Zalakaros.
