Lake Balaton UK Visitors Guide

Places to visit

The Southern shores (from Balatonszentgyörgy to Siofok) are ideal for small children because of the shallow water and for the younger generation because of the sparkling nightlife. Some areas of the southern shoreline are quite commercial and have no shortage of shops, bars, restaurants, etc. Numerous hotels and private residences line the lake side.

The Northern shore is more dedicated to culture and wine. The summer water temperature of around 22 °C is warmer than the air in the morning and in the evening.

The Balaton Uplands National Park runs along the north of Lake Balaton from the far south west. It is most beautiful region with its meadows, forests and ravines. http://www.bfnpi.hu/

Near the Lake

When you visit Lake Balaton, it makes sense not to limit your visit to the towns directly on the shore. After all, the region beyond the lake has plenty of natural beauty, history, and culture to explore.

Detailed road map (select town name): http://lazarus.elte.hu/moterkep/mb.htm
MAPS Country map via Multimap,

ACTIVITIES BY LAKE BALATON

see places 2

NORTH SHORE

The northern shore is far less commercial. Between Balatonakarattya and Keszthely, there are lakeside resorts surrounded by hills on the lake shore. The innumerable sights in villages and towns away from the lake, the famous wine-regions, and many festivals in the summertime offer memorable outings for a cloudy day.

Balaton Uplands National Park

The park runs just north of Lake Balaton, from the south west of the lake, and there are several reserves to visit, and nature trails to enjoy. Badacsony, Geological and Botanical Nature Trail, Boroszlán Nature Trail and Kitaibel Nature Trail. The beautiful landscape of the Topolca basin lies in the middle of park, together with the Bakony Hills, which contain dense woods and deep ravines. Kis Balaton lies to the south west.
http://www.bfnpi.hu/

Keszthely

Keszthely is situated on the western shore of lake Balaton. With its incomparable view of both the southern and northern side of the lake paired with many charming cafes this resort has a sense of superiority and charm over others. It is also home to the university meaning that even in low tourist season it is still buzzing with life. As well as having two beaches for sunbathing and swimming there is also a lot more to do in town. There is a Georgikon Farm Museum, Helikon Palace Museum, Helikon library, Trinity Column, Waxwork Museum, Costume Puppet Museum, Shell Parliament, the Bacchus Wine Museum and the Balaton Museum as well as windsurfing, kite surfing and horse riding schools. If you are traveling in May then you may also see the Balaton Festival which is one of the largest festivals in the Balaton.

Hévíz

Hévíz is situated on the western side of the lake. This town is famous for being the host of Europe's largest thermal lake. This lake attracts many tourists and you can hire all the essentials such as swimsuits and towels. In addition to the thermal lake you could also visit the József Egry Museum, the Róza Szegedi House, Blue Church, some of the many restaurants or the relatively small beach.

Szigliget

Szigliget is a picturesque village located on a small peninsula jutting into the Lake Balaton. Szigliget is home to the Szigliget Castle, The Esterhazy Wine cellar and a 12th century church.

Tapolca

The attractive town of Tapolca is situated 10km away from the northern shore of the Balaton. Since the 1960s the town was famous for mining however in the 1990s the mining closed and the town is now a popular resort for tourists due to it’s cave lake. This extraordinary boat ride through the cave is well worth the visit although you can also see the cave on foot. Other attractions in Tapolca include the mill lake, a wine museum, thermal spa, open-air swimming pool, 15th century castle, and a town and school museum.

Badacsony

The Badacsony region is made up of 4 villages and some amazing dormant volcanoes. Although there is a lake for swimming and some wonderful walking routes, Badacsony is most famous for it’s wine. If you are in the area during the second week in September then the enjoyable wine harvest festival will be in action. Badacsony also offers attractions such as the Egry József Museum, Kisfaludy lookout tower, the Stone Gate, the Rose Stone, and the Exiles Stairs.

Nagyvázsony

Nagyvázsony is a sleepy little market town situated a little back from the lake. Although generally rather a quiet village in August the village wakes up for a few days of show-jumping and jousting. By far the most well known aspect of Nagyvázsony is Kinizsi Castle. This 15th century castle shows exhibitions of the castles history and wax works of some of the early occupants of the castle. Although the castle is well worth the visit you could also visit the Postal Museum, Open-air Folk Museum, the Horse club or the Church of St Stephen.

Tihany

The historical town of Tihany is on a peninsula that juts almost 5km out into the lake Balaton. Although quite a traditional Hungarian village, it is also quite tourist orientated with many souvenir shops and stalls. Tourist attractions in the area include the Abbey Church with the Benedictine Abbey Museum, Open-air folk Museum, Echo Hill, and Marzipan House. However Tihany is most famous for hiking. Being situated in a rural peninsula of the Balaton this is a great place to go hiking and there are many good treks that can be enjoyed.The area around Tihany was crowned the country’s first nature reserve and therefore is paradise for hikers and bird watchers a like.

Balatonfüred

Balatonfüred is located on the northern shore of the Balaton and is one of the Balaton’s most popular resorts. It is most famous for its thermal springs and spa. These springs attract thousands of tourists a year to experience its supposed healing properties. Balatonfüred is split into two parts with the older centre a few miles away from the popular springs. Attractions to visit in Balatonfüred include the Kossuth Pump House, the Jókai Memorial House, Jókai Lookout Tower, The Round Church, Lóczy Cave and Horváth House.

Find town on road map (no M7)

SOUTH SHORE

On the southern shore from Balatonaliga through Balatonszentgyörgy you will find a beautiful 50 miles long beach, an uninterrupted line of large and small resorts teeming with life, a paradise for worshippers of sun and water, particularly families with small children. The particular benefit for children is the very gradual incline meaning that in most places children of even the youngest ages can walk out for 100m or more before they get out of their depth

Balatonaliga

Balatonszentgyörgy

Siófok

Zamárdi

Szántód

Balatonföldvár

Köröshegy

Balatonboglár

Fonyód

Zalakaros

Siófok

Siófok is the largest town on the southern side of Lake Balaton and it is geared up to serving the many tourists that visit in the Summer. Some may find it too commercial, with its many developments, bars, restaurants, food stalls, tourist shops and nighttime excitement. There is a lakeside promenade and park, and port area. The port provides ferry services and cruise boats. Museums include: a shark aquarium at the Coral Aquarium, Water Management Museum covering the history of shipping and fishery on Lake Balaton, a weather observatory, Imre Kalman Museum (composer of popular operettas), and a Mineral Museum. On the beach front there are swimming areas (small charge), and rowing and sailing boats for hire.
http://www.siofok.com/

Balatonlelle and Balatonboglar

This is the main centre for Wine on the south coast.
Balatonboglar: Jazz and Wine Festival in July, and the Grape Gathering Festival in August.

Kis-Balaton

Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) is a small lake to south west of Lake Balaton. It is a European favourite for Birdwatching and Bison spotting. Some areas and lookout are accessible for free, but other areas require a registered guide. Follow links to Kis-Balaton

http://www.gyenesdias.info.hu/ and http://www.hungarianbirdwatching.com/

Near the Lake

When you visit Lake Balaton, it makes sense not to limit your visit to the towns directly on the shore. After all, the region beyond the lake has plenty of natural beauty, history, and culture to explore.

Detailed road map (select town name): http://lazarus.elte.hu/moterkep/mb.htm
MAPS Country map via Multimap,