Székesfehérvár and its surroundings are also an ideal choice if you want historical curiosities and an adventure park, in a slow but vibrant city, it is also an ideal place to relax if you are looking for nature and silence. Visit the serene wildlife of Salt Lake, take a walk and relax in the romantic Zishi Grove and get close to nature in the Gaga Valley!
Salt Lake – A refreshing tour for nature lovers
It is no coincidence that the island of calm is called the Sóstó Nature Reserve, just over two kilometers from the center of Székesfehérvár. If you are planning a vacation or a long weekend break where the focus is on quiet relaxation, nature and wildlife, it is worth starting with this destination near Székesfehérvár. The undisturbed wildlife of Salt Lake ensures that you’ll forget to push your phone and be able to slow down.
Of the 218 hectares in the nature reserve, 121 hectares are nationally protected, but the rest are also locally protected, home to many rare and special species, including many orchid species. Sóstó Nature Reserve is open to the public. We can also take an organized tour, but if we decide to go the study route without a guide, interactive whiteboards will guide us through it.
general bird!
Hungary’s Bird of the Year can be voted online every year. In 2021, the bird of the year becomes the gypsy bird (Saxicola rubicola), a species that spends in the south of the nationally protected area of Sóstó. The population of Suston is stable.
The Gorseum – Where History and Silence Meet
If you want a quieter program at the same time and want to go on a historical excursion, Gorsium-Herculia Archaeological Park and Open Air Museum is the perfect program for you.
Do you think there was a field in the current park site other than arable land? The change was brought about in the 1930s, when a well was accidentally ruptured, thus being able to discover seven percent of the amazing and great former Roman city. In recent decades, archaeologists have found many special areas here, such as the Valhalla, the harbor, the baptistery and the swimming pool, and then, with the help of excavations, they also found military barracks.
Gorsium – Székesfehérvár
Walking in the park, we can embark on real-time travel with permanent programs and exhibitions. In the southern part, for example, IV. We can see the remaining blocks of apartments from the 16th century, which became deserted after a while, after which a cemetery was built next to the small huts.
Gorsium – Székesfehérvár
Valley of Gaga
The nearly 100 km long Gaja and Gaja Stream valley of the same name, one of the cleanest streams in Bakony, is only a 25-minute drive from Székesfehérvár. The broadcast flows through a very romantic spectacle that we enjoy watching on educational channels as well. But why watch TV if we can enjoy the show live?! The stream also touches two beautiful gorges valleys, where many mills ran around them, but we can only detect traces of them.
We can explore the area with several hiking trails, the most famous of which are certainly those that touch the valleys of the gorge. The Gajda Gorge is located around Bodajk, the other one can be found in the Roman Bath Waterfall.
Bauxite Geopark, Ghent – View of Mars on Earth
It’s like walking on Mars. Of course, this is kind of an exaggeration, but for many, the view of Mars comes to mind when visiting a former bauxite mine in the Vértes Mountains, on the border of Gánt. We don’t have to be geology-savvy to understand and enjoy the outdoor geological museum here, as we can’t take amazing photos by the way.
a little bit of history
A little over 90 years ago, in 1920, a major karst bauxite plant was discovered in Ganton. The mine opened six years later, and by the 1930s it had become the world’s most famous bauxite mine, reaching its peak production in 1953, but unfortunately now completely exhausted. In 1987, extraction was discontinued.
The stunning Bauxitogeological Park can be explored on an informative study route of thirteen stations in approximately 1-1.5 hours. During the tour we can learn about the geological past of the area, get an insight into how the Gánti bauxite colony was created and also the minerals found here.
Ganthi bauxite mine (Image: Getty Images)
Stones transferred from Pákozd
The Venetian Mountains’ most special attraction, the Pákozdi Travs, is just a short drive from Székesfehérvár. The place is a short and easy stroll from Pákozd on the northern shore of the Venetian Lagoon. One of the most famous and amazing pieces of moving stone is the “cube” that stands as if it were floating. The round trip is a little longer than 7km and can be walked at a slow pace in 2.5-3 hours, but it is worth preparing for a smaller, steeper section!
Zichy Grove – The calm hidden in the city
You don’t have to leave the city limits of Székesfehérvár to find peace and a relaxing park. Zichy Park is home to many classical and light music programs and concerts during the summer. The most famous element is the Music Pavilion, erected by Count Gino Cixi, the famous Asian scholar.
Zichy Grove, which can be found on the northern edge of the city center, is a popular resting place not only for tourists coming to the city, but also for those from Székesfehérvár. Next to the pavilion, in the garden there are many trees, monuments and various decorative works waiting for those who want to relax.
Zichy grove in Székesfehérvár
