Kaposvár 2026: Csiky Gergely Theatre, Lake Deseda and parking

Kaposvár is one of the major economic, cultural, educational, and sports centers of Southern Transdanubia. It is also the seat of Somogy County and the Kaposvár District. This university town lies along the Kapos River, in the Somogyi Hills, and offers visitors historic landmarks, theaters, museums, and natural surroundings.

The city is also a great destination for those interested in its medieval past, the development of its civic urban culture, or the Zselic landscape. If you’re arriving by car, it’s worth checking the parking rules and the locations of paid zones in advance, leaving you more time to explore Kaposvár.

Remnants of Kaposvár Castle

An important landmark from Kaposvár’s medieval history is the castle built along the Kapos River. The fortification, with its rectangular layout, was built in the Middle Ages and later transformed from an earthwork into a stone castle. Its bastions were completed during the Ottoman period. The surrounding marshland made it difficult to approach, so it offered shelter to local residents in times of danger.

The Ottomans captured it after a five-day siege, and the city was not liberated from Ottoman rule until much later. The castle, damaged in the wars, was eventually demolished, and some of its remaining ruins were later torn down as well. Today, the remains of two bastions can be seen: the southeastern round bastion and the southwestern square corner tower. It’s worth visiting this historic site as part of a walking tour of the city.

The Legacy of the Benedictine Monastery of Kaposszentjakab

The Benedictine monastery founded in Kaposszentjakab, within the present-day administrative area of Kaposvár, recalls the city’s early ecclesiastical role. It was established by Otto, also known as Atha, the ispán of Somogy, and King Salamon and Duke Géza both attended its consecration. The ecclesiastical center was later visited frequently by other kings, and their visits contributed to the settlement’s development.

The monastery is also important because Kaposvár served as an ecclesiastical center from the early Middle Ages onward. Kaposszentjakab was later incorporated into the county seat, making the former settlement an integral part of the city’s history today. If you’d like to include historic sites outside the city center in your itinerary, it’s best to treat this as a separate destination and plan to get there by car.

Csiky Gergely Theatre and the Civic City

Kaposvár’s rapid development began after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867: the population grew, public institutions were built, and the conditions for rail and road transport were established. The settlement was granted the status of a town with an organized council, while its industrial and economic importance also grew. An important urban landmark from this civic era is the new town hall, which opened in the early twentieth century.

The Csiky Gergely Theatre opened not long afterward. Its company became a major presence in Hungarian theater in the second half of the twentieth century, making the building an important part of Kaposvár’s cultural identity. It’s worth including the town hall and the theater in a walking tour so you can also get a feel for the county seat’s civic development.

Lake Deseda and the Arboretum

Lake Deseda lies in the northern part of Kaposvár. Its considerable length makes it a prominent feature of the city’s natural surroundings. An arboretum is also located beside the lake, making it a great addition to a city tour focused on historical and cultural attractions. It’s also worth considering if, after exploring the city center, you’d like to see more of the landscape surrounding Kaposvár.

The lake is a different kind of destination from the main attractions in the city center, so it’s best to set aside time for it separately. If you’re arriving by car, you can visit the historic sites first, then continue north as a separate leg of your journey. Together, Lake Deseda and the arboretum show how closely urban culture and the Somogy landscape are connected around Kaposvár.

The Seven Hills and the Zselic Region

Kaposvár lies in the valley of the Kapos River, which separates the hills of Outer Somogy from those of the Zselic, and extends across the slopes of both regions. According to legend, like ancient Rome, it was built on seven hills. The hills are called Kecel, Körtönye, Lonka, Iszák, Kapos, Róma, and Ivánfa, although local traditions do not always agree on the list. Locals refer to these hills as mountains.

Today, the hills form Kaposvár’s southern districts, and the Zselic Landscape Protection Area stretches across the southern part of the city. Several nearby streams flow into the Kapos, including the Berki, Töröcskei, and Zselic streams. If you’re curious about the city’s geographical character, driving toward the southern districts will show you a different side of Kaposvár than a walk focused exclusively on the city center.

Parking in Kaposvár

Kaposvár’s paid parking area is divided into several zones, with different hourly rates applying in each. Before parking, always check the signs on site and visit the city’s parking page to start your parking session using the information for the relevant area.

The advantage of mobile parking is that you don’t need to look for a parking meter or change. The parking zone finder can help you choose the right area, but always compare the information it provides with the signs on site.

• 8201 – Kaposvár Zone 1: HUF 500/hour (weekdays 08:00–18:00, Saturdays 08:00–12:00)
• 8202 – Kaposvár Zone 2: HUF 350/hour (weekdays 08:00–18:00, Saturdays 08:00–12:00)
• 8203 – Kaposvár Zone 3: HUF 500/hour (weekdays 06:00–18:00, Saturdays 06:00–12:00)
• 8204 – Kaposvár Zone 4: HUF 500/hour (weekdays 08:00–18:00, Saturdays 08:00–12:00)

Rates are based on data from Nemzeti Mobilfizetési Zrt. and are valid as of the article’s publication date.

Tip: It’s worth combining the town hall, the Csiky Gergely Theatre, and the central historic landmarks into a walking tour. Plan a separate drive to Lake Deseda and the southern districts in the Zselic area, and always check which paid zone you’ve parked in.

You can start your parking session online on site with just a few taps, directly from your phone, without a parking meter, cash, or installing a separate app.

Last updated: 27. 10. 2026.