Parking in Zamárdi 2026: zones and attractions

Zamárdi is located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, between Siófok and Balatonföldvár. Its grassy beach, summer festivals, and panorama of the Tihany Peninsula make it an attractive destination for beachgoers, hikers, and festival visitors alike.

Besides the shoreline, the Kőhegy lookout, the unique Szamárkő, and the town’s rich history also offer a rewarding program. If you are arriving in Zamárdi by car, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the parking rules, because fees vary by zone in the paid areas.

Zamárdi’s Great Beach and the Balaton panorama

Zamárdi’s best-known area is the three-kilometer-long, grassy Great Beach, one of the popular spots for bathing in Lake Balaton. Its central panorama is defined by the Tihany Peninsula, so the waterfront is suitable not only for swimming but also for enjoying the view across the lake. It is worth exploring the long shoreline on foot, especially if you want to spend more time directly by Lake Balaton.

Bathing life in Zamárdi began at the start of the twentieth century, and the development of the resort area accelerated in the 1930s. Today the town has become one of the strongholds of Balaton tourism. In summer, larger crowds can be expected because of the beaches and events, so if you arrive by car, it is advisable to pay attention to the current parking zone.

Kőhegy lookout

Rising to the southwest of the settlement, Kőhegy is one of Zamárdi’s most important excursion spots. The hill is a vineyard area with wine cellars, weekend houses, and a stone cross. A hiking trail leads to the lookout at the top, so it is worth walking the last section of the route. From above, a wide panorama opens before the visitor.

The lookout was built in memory of the millennium on the site where the press house of the Tihany Abbey once stood. The old building was destroyed in the period after the Second World War, and its materials were taken away. The history of Kőhegy goes back even further: it was inhabited by both the Celts and the Romans, and the finds from the Celtic urn cemetery are preserved by the Hungarian National Museum.

Szamárkő, Zamárdi’s distinctive rock

Szamárkő is located at the western end of the town, on the edge of Kiserdő. On the wavy rock surface, which is heavily worn down, a trough-like hollow and a so-called fire pit can be observed; beside them stands a carved stone and a smaller stone preserving two unusual traces. Its material formed locally: during post-volcanic activity, rising steam, gases, hot water, and minerals cemented the sand into solid rock. Fossilized snails can also be seen in the gray sandstone.

Several legends are connected to the formation. One story explains the marks as the traces of Jesus and a donkey, while other traditions link the stone to the Tihany volcano, the flood, or crusaders. Szamárkő was also an ancient sacrificial site and once served as a boundary marker.

Archaeological relics and Zamárdi’s past

The area of Zamárdi has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archaeological excavations have uncovered prehistoric, Bronze Age, Celtic, Germanic, and Roman finds, and the town’s most outstanding archaeological monument is the Avar-period cemetery. This is the largest Avar-era site in the Carpathian Basin, with an especially rich array of finds, so the town’s history reaches back to periods long before the development of Balaton bathing life.

The town’s name appeared in several forms in medieval documents, and its current form was fixed later. The former Egyházas-Zamárd was severely affected by Ottoman destruction; its church and houses were demolished, and today an oak cross stands on the site of the church. The surrounding area became depopulated for a long time, and then the life of the settlement restarted in the eighteenth century with the resettlement of new families.

Bathing life, festivals, and a wine region setting

Zamárdi’s nationwide fame has also been strengthened by popular summer events alongside the Balaton beaches. Thanks to Balaton Sound and the Strand Festival, the small town is well known among festival-goers and has become a popular destination at European level as well. During events, car traffic can also increase, so it is especially important to pay attention to parking information near the venues.

The settlement is part of the Balatonboglár wine region, and vine cultivation has a long tradition in the surrounding area. Agriculture, viticulture, animal husbandry, and fishing long shaped the livelihoods of local residents before Balaton tourism became the focus. The vineyard area and wine cellars of Kőhegy still recall this heritage today.

Parking in Zamárdi

The paid parking area in Zamárdi is divided into several zones, and the hourly fee differs by zone. The payment obligation applies every day, including weekends and public holidays, so after taking a parking space, always check which zone you are in. Local information can be reviewed on the Zamárdi parking page.

With mobile parking, you do not need to look for a parking meter or coins; you can start parking directly from your phone. The parking zone finder also helps identify the correct area.

• 8619 – Zamárdi Zone 1: 450 Ft/hour (every day 09:00–21:00)
• 8620 – Zamárdi Zone 2: 450 Ft/hour (every day 09:00–21:00)
• 8629 – Zamárdi Zone 4: 0 Ft/hour (every day 09:00–21:00)
• 8634 – Zamárdi Zone 5: 450 Ft/hour (every day 09:00–21:00)
• 8635 – Zone V: 450 Ft/hour (every day 08:00–21:00)

The fees are based on the data of Nemzeti Mobilfizetési Zrt. and were valid at the time of publication of the article.

Tip: It is worth exploring the long shoreline of the Great Beach on foot, and a hiking trail leads to the Kőhegy lookout. After parking, check the zone, and keep in mind that parking in Zamárdi may also be subject to fees on weekends and public holidays.

Parking can be started online on site in just a few clicks, directly from your phone, without a parking meter, cash, or installing an app.