Balf

One of the famous vineyards and wine-producing sites of the World Heritage Fertő landscape is Balf. Its spa, which is not only suitable for bathing but also for drinking, was already known to the Romans. The park around the castle inn, built in the 1700s, is still a pleasant place for a walk.

Fertőboz

It is part of the Fertő-Hanság National Park and is rich in flora and fauna. Its name derives from the elderberry, which is celebrated with an elderberry festival in May, when it blooms. A classicist lookout stands on the Bozi plateau, from where you can still admire the panorama of Lake Fertő.

Nagycenk

The Heritage Railway linking Fertőbozt to Nagycenk was built between 1969 and 1972 and is still a favourite weekend activity for children from spring to autumn.

Fertőd

The most well-known and most visited village in the Fertő Landscape World Heritage is Fertőd. It owes its popularity mainly to the "Hungarian Versailles", the Esterházy Castle and its complex of buildings. It lies between Győr and Sopron. In addition to its monuments and other attractions, it is the cultural centre of the region. At the heart of the settlement is the horseshoe-shaped, stunningly beautiful Baroque castle, which is the main source of tourism and a major attraction of the town. J. Haydn (1732-1809), the last court composer in the history of music, spent nearly two decades (1769-1790) in the service of the " pomp-loving " Miklós Esterházy, who also supported the arts, as a resident of the Muzsikaház (Music House) in Eszterházy, where his memory is preserved in a museum.

There are two Roman Catholic churches in the village, the neo-Gothic St. Andrew's and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is decorated with the altar and stations of the cross of †Udvardi Erzsébet Udvardi, winner of the Hungarian Heritage Award.  

In summer, world-famous soloists and orchestras give concerts in the castle and in the renovated Marionette Theatre.  

It is linked to Austria by the Fertőd-Pamhagen border crossing and cycle path. From spring to autumn, the nearby Fertő-Hanság National Park Centre offers temporary and travelling exhibitions in addition to permanent exhibitions.

Fertőhomok

The inhabitants of Fertőhomok no longer live from vegetable production alone. It has a significant tourist industry, thanks to the neighbouring Hegykő spa. The village's Croatian inhabitants have a tambura band and a folk dance group to keep up their traditions.

Sights of Fertőhomok:

• Country House
• Church of St. Anna
• Békakonty nature trail
• Holy Trinity Column
• Holy Family
• Statue of the Tree of Life

Fertőrákos

It is an important settlement in the Fertő landscape: almost all of its buildings are monuments. In 2001, it was declared a World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique natural features and rich history. The restored quarry and cave theatre of Fertőrákos is a high-quality European attraction, and the previously closed parts of the theatre can be visited. The investment, which started in 2013, has made it possible to explore more of the quarry's natural environment. Now you can visit not only the surface but also the theme park inside the cave, with information panels to help you find your way around. The inner area of the quarry (cave) is a multifunctional cave-like space shaped by man and nature, which houses an unconventional exhibition and play area. The exhibition is divided into two major units: a paleontological display, which deals with the conditions under which the limestone was quarried in the area, and a unit on the exploitation of the limestone.

The cycle path to Mörbisch not only offers a panoramic view of Lake Fertő, but also the Animal Petting Zoo, where protected native Hungarian animals such as horses, donkeys, goats, mangalica, grey cattle, buffaloes and racka ewes await visitors. Near the border, from spring to autumn, you can visit the sanctuary of Mithras, the Sun God of the Romans.

At the other end of the village, the road leads to Lake Fertő, where water lovers can choose from a variety of water sports during the tourist season. From May to October there is a regular boat service to Austria.

Hegykő

The tourist centre of the Fertő shore. It offers a high quality service and has a large number of successful recurring programmes. In 1971, a thermal bath was built in the village: 400 litres of water at 55°C per minute rise from a depth of 1434 m. It is mainly used to cure musculoskeletal disorders, but the spring is also suitable for drinking cures for stomach ailments. The good climate, the clean air and the 6 ha angling lake attract many tourists. Thanks to the thermal baths, Hegykő has become a resort village.

Fertőszéplak

One of the most beautiful villages of the Fertő Valley World Heritage Site and the Fertő-Hanság National Park, next to the cycle path around the lake, where historical families, especially the Széchényi and Esterházy families, left their mark.

Historical buildings, Széchényi Castle - where Ferenc Széchényi was born, the All Saints Church and the Calvary, the group of statues of the Sacred Heart, the skansen, peaceful surroundings and family accommodation await visitors.

Rust (Austria): the city of stork and wine

The most beautiful settlement around Lake Fertő, the smallest free royal town in historic Hungary. The historic town centre, made up of a few streets, is full of cosy restaurants and local wine tasting taverns. Rust, the town of grapes and wine, is always full of charm and charm, with the sound of the stork's chirping. Besides the wine, another striking feature is the cosy stork's nest on almost every chimney - there's a reason why Rust is called the city of storks. From spring to autumn, the town is alive with the sound of storks, some birds so happy here that they don't even fly away in autumn.

St. Margarethen (Szentmargitbánya, Ausztria), Római kőfejtő

A World Heritage site, the St. Margarethen quarry is Europe's oldest and one of the largest quarries, twin to the Fertőrákos quarry in Hungary, just across the border. The spectacular site is home to Europe's largest open-air stage, with opera performances taking place several times a week during the summer season in the large-scale setting. The quarry was already used by the Romans, hence its official name "Roman quarry" (Römersteinbruch). The limestone quarried here was used to build Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace, among others.

Fairy Tale Park (Familypark), St. Margarethen (St. Austria)

Austria's largest leisure park covers 145,000 square metres just a few kilometres from the western shore of Lake Fertő. For travellers with children, it is the highlight of a trip to Lake Fertő and an unmissable all-day activity.

With Budapest's Amusement Park also closed, the closest classic amusement park experience is in Austria, between Rust and St. Margarethen. Originally a fairytale park, it has now grown into a small Disneyland in central Europe. It offers fun for children of all ages, with something for everyone from babies to teenagers.

Mörbisch am See (Fertőmeggyes)

MÖRBISCH is adjacent to Fertőrákos, 20 km east of the Burgenland provincial capital Eisenstadt on the shores of Lake Fertő, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With a population of a few thousand, this tidy Burgenland village is now best known for its world-famous water stage, Europe's largest open-air water park, and its prestigious operetta performances, but it also has excellent wine, a good beach and charming streets. And it has an important boat harbour, with regular boat services, or more precisely bicycle ferries, to Illmitz on the other side of the Fertő.

Future developments in the Fertő landscape

The tourist attractiveness of the Fertő landscape is to be increased in the future, with several million forints of EU funding earmarked for the developments. The "Jewels of the Fertő Landscape" project is expected to increase the number of visitors by more than 9,000 within a few years. As part of the project, a world heritage centre will be created in the Széchenyi Castle in Fertőszéplak. An exhibition is planned on two hundred square metres, which will show through ten stations what makes the Fertő landscape unique. The exhibition will include the traditions of the national cultures of Fertőrákos and Fertőhomok, the natural values of Mekszikópuszta and the geological values of the Fertőrákos quarry. The exhibition will be interactive, using state-of-the-art equipment to showcase the World Heritage values.

The exhibition on Croatian national culture will be renewed in the Country House in Fertőhomok. And in the Country House in Sarród, an old-style barn will be set up, but newly built, to provide a family-friendly community space and host activities.

A cycling tourism centre is being set up in the house of Aunt Mariska in Bergkő, and the Gloriett lookout in Fertőboz has already been renovated.The naturally protected Papkert (Priest's Garden) in Hidegség, which covers several hectares along the road, will be restored, walking paths will be created and the 14 springs around it will be renovated. This area will be a kind of retreat and meditation park.

It is estimated that the area attracts around 100,000 visitors a year. The development will create a tourist destination that will help to increase the quantity and quality of the offer around Lake Fertő and strengthen cooperation with the Austrian municipalities that have been awarded the World Heritage title.

As part of the "Modern Cities" programme, the Lake Fertő Aquapark is also being developed. Among other things, a new stand, an outdoor swimming pool, a sailing centre and marina, sports fields, a walking trail and a 100-room hotel will be built. The programme also includes the renovation of Sopron's city centre and the creation of a museum district.

The plan also includes improvements to the castles of Fertőd and Nagycenk. The biggest driver of development is the M85 highway, which will also make the area an international reception area.