Zalakaros

Zalakaros is one of the smallest cities of Hungary and is situated at the Western border of the Little-Balaton in the tourist area of Zala County, 20 air kilometres from Lake Balaton. From the point of view of accessibility the nearby main roads, the Sármellék airport and the M7 highway that is currently under construction highlights the city's positive location.

Written sources mentioned the settlement already in 1254, (Korus) thus it celebrated its 750 year anniversary last year, its present name has been used since 1908.
With respect to order, cleanliness and public safety the city may be counted among the firsts, and it emanates a homely, serene atmosphere with its neat parks and green belt areas. The surrounding vineyards, orchards and forests provide the city's clear air and have a beneficial influence on its climate. The beautification, flowering, parking of the public squares, and the creation of public square works of art is an important task, thus Zalakaros worthily won the "most flowery city of Hungary" title in 2002 and the "flowery city of Europe" in 2003.
The city's reviving was established by the 96 Celsius degree thermal water rich in minerals that was discovered in the course of an oil prospecting drilling in the early 60s.
Following the opening of the thermal spa in 1965, within a few decades a modern bathing complex was built, holiday-resorts, hotels, and restaurants opened. Its waters became famous abroad as well, thus it was gradually improved due to the bath's great number of visitors. In the last four decades almost 22 million visitors seeking healing have come here.

Tourism has a decisive role in the everyday life and economy of Zalakaros, which is shown by the yearly 700.000 bath visitors, 355.000 nights. Since 1997 when Zalakaros was pronounced a city the number of the inhabitants has been gradually increasing, and currently the number of its residents amounts to approximately 1900 people. In the city nearly 200-250 enterprises are registered, from which more than 180 are private. Ten hotels, two health resorts, nine holiday-resorts, one camping and more than seven hundred rooms to rent are offering high standard accommodation for the guests coming here providing altogether more than 7000 places to stay. The self-government operates an elementary school, a kindergarten, a tourist and public community office, garden movie theatre, sport centre, and city operational group. The city's civil life is marked by the operation of more foundations, associations, and artistic groups.
In the city in both winter and summer also local specialities can be found in the almost 50 inns, restaurants offering high quality entertainment, and the vineyards which were pronounced a national wine producing location also attract the lovers of gastronomy. People looking for active rest can also find the appropriate selection, and there are more possibilities for doing some sports as well.
The fans of culture and musical programs are awaited by the 'Karos Summer' event series, which offers festival-like, folklore, folk-musical, classical musical, theatrical and other entertainment programs every year from 1 May to the end of September.

Zalakaros also undertakes a role in solving regional tasks according to its city rank. These go beyond authority tasks and extend to health, social, educational and sport activities.
The aim of the leaders of the city, the inhabitants and the enterprises is to make the settlement increasingly comply with the function of a city, the role of a regional centre and most of all by the development of the bath to make the city be able to receive guests at an even higher standard.

www.zalakaros.hu