The city of Keszthely is located on the northwest corner of
Lake Balaton, on the shore of one of the biggest
lakes in
Central Europe. The city is surrounded by forests and rolling hills to the north, plains to the southeast and the lake. South from the city lies Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton), a swamp which is a part of the
Zala river delta and acts as a natural water purifier for
Lake Balaton. The swamp is particularly known as a water fowl habitat and enjoys international recognition and protection as a nature reserve. The city also enjoys the proximity of
Hévíz, a town famous for its spa and health services. Keszthely is very close to some northern Balaton wine regions which are known to produce high-quality white wines from locally cultivated varieties. Keszthely is easily and rather quickly accessible by car from both
Budapest, the capital of
Hungary, and
Vienna, the capital of
Austria. Direct bus services between Keszthely and Budapest run several times a day. ==Museum==