Book Cheap Flights to Zala

Sharing its name with the Zala River, the administrative county of Zala is situated in south-western Hungary, and shares borders with Croatia and Slovenia. The city is overflowing with natural beauty and a rich history, deep-rooted within its castles and fortresses peppered around the rolling landscapes. Zala is full of interesting towns, each boasting unique attractions.

Spend a day in Héviz, where the slow markets and wine tours make for a perfect summer afternoon. Relax in the hot springs and thermal lakes where you can wind down from the day’s indulgences.

History buffs can enjoy the culture and ancient history in Keszthely, brimming with palaces, museums and grand castles. Some speciality museums to see are Balaton Museum, Snail Parliament and Festetics Palace.

Lake Balaton is the major attraction of the region, home to sandy beaches, volcanic hills, preserved wetlands and tourist resorts. The surrounding medieval towns and vineyards are must-sees, with fragrant lavender fields and century-old cellars where you should sample a local bottle of “Pintest’’. Climb up the Siofok Water Tower and marvel at the breath-taking, panoramic views of the plush landscapes. Balaton National Park is home to Zalaszántói Sztúpa, a rare Buddhist temple. Nature-lovers can take a drive out to Orseg National Park, teeming with wildlife and folklore architecture.

Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Zala online at Travelstart!

As Hungary falls under Schengen territory, South African citizens do require a Schengen visa to visit Zala. Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.

You can contact the Embassy of Hungary in Pretoria for more information on the visa process.

Address: 959 Arcadia Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

Phone: 012 430 30 30

Zala and Hungary are known to be very safe places to visit, as the locals are very hospitable and welcoming to visitors. Keep an eye out over the busy season, as petty crimes like pick-pocketing are known to occur.

There are no required vaccinations for Hungary, but it is advisable to be up-to-date on all routine vaccines. Tick-borne encephalitis is prominent in forested areas like Zala so you may want to consider a vaccination. Tap water is fine in the big cities, but is more questionable in rural parts, so still to bottled or purified water if you’re unsure.