Westward from Akali, waters of the northern Nivegy valley and Káli basin run down to where the village of Zánka lies. Both the site and the material of rock of the hills change at Zánka. Permian red-stone at the shore is broken by Hegyestű (Edgy Needle) in the north-west, starting the line of volcanic basalt hills. Zánka is a traffic junction, roads to Tapolca and Nagyvázsony start from here. The territory of the village was populated by the first Magyar settlers of Hungary in the 11th century. Only a few inhabitants are mentioned in the first document dated 1164. The village was burned down by the Turkish in 1548 so it was depopulated. With the aim of retrieving the population, German colonists were settled down in Zánka in 1736. The landlord of largest domain was the Esterházy family at that time. In the 19th century the population dealt primarily with viticulture and animal-breeding.

The most important historic sight of Zánka is the remains of the Romanesque church dating from the 11th century. The ruined building was renovated in 1786 and a tower at the eastern side was attached to the building at the end of the 19th century. A remarkable old building in the village is a cottar's house built in 1736 which was the first completed building of the recolonization. Furniture and personal belongings of viniculturists, animal breeders, smiths, stone-cutters, reed cutters and fishermen living in the village are presented at the exhibition.

Zánka is developing rapidly. The open-air bath and the Village Community House have been renewed. The beach at Zánka is ideal for families with small children for the water is quite shallow. Programmes of the nearby children’s holiday camp are open, the disco at the shore and the cinema are also very popular.  The cycle-path between the village and the holiday centre has recently been finished. The first part of the promenade along shore – an old dream of the inhabitants - was opened in 2002. It runs under the overpass in Vérkút street towards the bay.

The most important summer event of the settlement is a series of programmes called the Fishing Days of Zánka in July. High standard performances entertain the public in the covered tent in front of the beach entrance while wine-growers offer their wines in the wine pavilions. Beside the wide range of cultural programmes a row of entertainment awaits visitors: shooting contest, competition of asphalt drawers, cycling competition, and a fishing contest is held at dawn. The Anglers' ball and contest of wines are outstanding events of the Fishing Days. Another prominent event in Zánka is the BalaTone Festival in July, a pop music festival with extreme sports events, which takes place at the former pioneer camp, now a youth holiday centre.

Horse riding and tennis facilities are available in the village. A hiking trail starting from the railway station leads up to Hegyestű, a volcanic cone.