Tótszerdahely: Mura culture, cycling route and strudel

• The short lower rafting trip runs from Tótszerdahely (Öregbánya tó) to Murakeresztúr: 14 km, approximately from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with around two and a half hours on the water.
• The rafting tour is suitable for beginners and experienced participants; the canoe tour is for experienced canoeists.
• An exhibition across three indoor rooms displays furnishings from the 19th and 20th centuries, equipment for producing and storing food, and mementos related to traditional dress.
• The Határmenti portyázás cycling route passes through Tótszerdahely between Letenye and Molnári.

The short lower tour starts near Tótszerdahely at Öregbánya tó and goes to Murakeresztúr. A time frame of approximately 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is given for the 14-kilometre route; around two and a half hours are spent on the water. These two time figures describe different parts of the tour and help you assess its overall duration more precisely.

The distinction between boat types is also important: the rafting tour is intended for beginners and experienced participants. The canoe tour is for experienced canoeists. When choosing an activity based on your own experience, consider these requirements alongside the boat type.

The Határmenti portyázás is a cycling route that runs through Tótszerdahely between Letenye and Molnári. This means that, alongside the specific water tour, a cycling route connected with the town can also be part of your travel plans. The two can be distinguished by mode of transport: the rafting tour specifies its route and approximate time frame, while the cycling route is described here by its course between the two towns.

The exhibition A Mura menti horvátok története és néprajza explores the history and ethnography of the Croats along the Mura. Across three indoor rooms, visitors can see furnishings from the 19th and 20th centuries, equipment for producing and storing food, and mementos related to traditional dress. The exhibition thus brings together domestic life, food supplies and clothing rather than focusing on just one aspect of everyday life.

For those interested in cultural history, this collection offers a different perspective from the activities on the water or by bicycle. The three subject areas are also easy to distinguish: furnishings show the domestic setting, the equipment relates to food, and the traditional dress mementos draw attention to clothing.

On 27 July 2024, traditional Croatian strudel baking was the focus of the Rétesfesztivál in Tótszerdahely. A report from 2019 also describes how visitors could watch strudel being made at the festival. The earlier report thus highlights the baking process, while the 2024 event is described as focusing on Croatian strudel baking.

These accounts, tied to specific dates, offer a glimpse of the connection between the festival and food culture, but do not provide information about future dates. Traditional Croatian strudel baking is a distinctive feature of the local cuisine.

At the level of the wider destination of Zala, there are additional landscape and cultural topics in their own right. The Zalai Borvidék developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. It comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. This regional wine landscape is a different focus from the local content on rafting, cycling and Mura ethnography in Tótszerdahely.

Another topic in Zala is Kis-Balaton: it is the region’s largest body of water, is under strict protection and covers 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. Lake Hévíz is another distinct regional attraction; it is the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake. Therapeutic treatments there are available only by prior appointment, which can be booked at the therapy reception of the Festetics Bath House.

Discover more destinations: Kerkaszentkirály, Lispeszentadorján, Bázakerettye, Letenye, Petrivente.

How long is the rafting trip?

The short lower tour covers 14 km from Tótszerdahely (Öregbánya tó) to Murakeresztúr. It takes approximately from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with around two and a half hours spent on the water.

Who is the rafting or canoe tour intended for?

The rafting tour is listed as suitable for beginners and experienced participants. The canoe tour is for experienced canoeists.

Which cycling route passes through the town?

The Határmenti portyázás passes through Tótszerdahely between Letenye and Molnári.

What was the focus of the 2024 Rétesfesztivál?

Traditional Croatian strudel baking was the focus of the festival on 27 July 2024.

See the wider travel overview: Letenyei.