Bundesliga jerseys- and haircuts used to play a much bigger part in Zamárdi's life than they do nowadays. The highway was bumpy, the cars were from the Soviet Union, and the meals had nothing to do with the paleo diet. After Balatonvilágos a few lanes went missing from the highway and after Siófok the road suddenly took a right turn and ran straight into Zamárdi.
The traces and signs of Bundesliga are much less obvious nowadays and the highway runs past Zamárdi as well. Still, something has remained the same: the huge dbo beach surrounded by a town. Other beaches have fences and cashier ladies who ask for your money to get in, but you won't find these features here.
Apart from having too few showers, the 3 kilometres long dbo beach has everything you need. You can find paddle boat- and surf rentals, water slides, tennis courts, playgrounds, award-winning lángos, a port for small boats, and a music pavilion at the end of Bácskai Street for those who don't mind listening to retro Hungarian tunes from the 70s and the 80s at sunset.
Road trip: Sajkod, the secret beach sect, Keszthely, the museum empireLet's say you're lying on the beach, but you're up to something new, because you're fed up with the old Hungarian classics on the radio, you have run out of booze and Avicii is not putting on his new tracks because Balaton Sound Festival is not going on right now. You should really get going.
Italian circus
If you're only bored with eating lángos all the time then Mauro Ristorante is your obvious choice at the eastern end of the dbo beach. Everyone knows Mauro, but there's a price to pay for that: guests often need to queue up in front of the place in the summer. This Italian restaurant can't deny that its owner comes from Italy, because every inch of it is filled with Italian elements, like extremely loud tunes of Pavarotti from the speakers or waiters shouting "ciao" every time a guest arrives or leaves the restaurant. We felt like we were spending the last night on Titanic when we were there. In spite of this Mauro's fans are almost as taken with the restaurant as the Italians with calcio and the Serie A.
If the three-range Italian circus is not tempting enough, it's time to look around elsewhere, but Zamárdi is not a gastro empire. You will find Halas Karcsi halsütödéje in Zamárdi-felső, but you'll only need to go as far as the railway station for the traditional flavours, because Paprika csárda is operating on the other side of main road 7. The award-winning ice-cream of Édes Velence fagyizó is located opposite the railway station, right next to the City Hall. You have more options regarding the drinks. The local wines are not in the top 10 of Balaton's wines, but Szent Kristóf Pincészet is worth a try. We recommend something stronger though: Zimek Pálinka Manufaktúra offers award-winning pálinkas and a chatty pálinka master next to the road leading to Balatonendréd.
Have fun with a tank
If you like cool adventures without the chance of getting seriously injured, then check out Panzer Gyuri and his rusty army at the end of Szent István út close to Szántód. You can not only mount these vehicles in Zamárdi Haditechnikai Park, but you can drive them if you want to. If you've got taken by the army stuff, paintballing is an option here, too. Zamárdi is paradise for war geeks, because they can run into a small war museum on main road 7 in Siófok's direction. The headmaster of Zamárdi's elementary school collects army items like rusty helmets and war medals in his small museum - which used to be his garage a long time ago.
UPDATE: Closed
For the casual adventure-seekers, Zamárdi kalandpark could be the biggest deal. Opposite to the railway station in Zamárdi-Felső you'll feel like the newest Tarzan after hanging, climbing, and sliding on the ropes. Thanks to the safety measurements and the professional animators you will not fall down. They will even rescue you if you freak out in the middle of the rope course.
The real adventurers don't like it when they are told where to go next. Zamárdi is not the best place for them, but they can always find good places to hike. The Kőhegyi look-out tower is highly recommended if you're up for a small trip, because you'll only have to walk a few kilometres from the city centre. Szamárkő is worth a visit as well, because according to the myth, child Jesus left his footprints on this mystic rock. It still remains a mystery though, what the Holy Family was doing in Zamárdi.
You can try other tour routes on the hills and plains of Zamárdi on foot or on the back of the horses of Kocsi-csárda. You might even hit the jackpot in Balatonendréd (only 6-7 kilometres from Zamárdi), because the rumour has it that somewhere on Várcsige hill a Turkish treasure has been hidden under the ground, but neither Indiana Jones, nor anybody else has found anything there.
Batman in Zamárdi
Going to the disco is not the best option in Zamárdi. You will find the party people at the railway station waiting for their ride to Siófok or to Balatonfüred. If you insist on staying for a drink in Zamárdi,we recommend Resti Pub, at the train station. The locals will not be there though. Their regular spot is Lesz Vigasz opposite to the station in the shore's direction. There is a supermarket, a non-stop shop and a tobacco shop right next to the bar. Unfortunately the ATM was recently removed, so bringing cash with you will be necessary.
