Did you know that Lake Balaton is the second most visited destination in Hungary, behind Budapest? No wonder. This lake is a real natural paradise, perfect for a short holiday. We assure you that you won’t get bored. Water adventures, excursions, partying and beaches to relax on – what more could you ask for?
What to do at Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. It measures 80km by 14km and is 12m deep. In the surrounding area there are many villages offering a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, which means that there is plenty to do on this large lake.
1. Balatonfüred
It is one of the oldest settlements around the lake although it is now one of the most modern cities. The town is famous for its hot springs, the most luxurious marina on the lake, and the old holiday palaces of the aristocracy.
The main sights of Balatonfüred are Tagore Sétány, a lakeside promenade, Gyógy Ter Square, the Kossuth Pump House and its hot springs, the Jókai writer’s memorial museum and the Balaton Pantheon where famous people are laid to rest. There is also a 40-metre cave, Lóczy Cave, which can be visited.
2. Lake Herviz
Lake Hérviz, formed in the crater of a volcano, is located 8 km from Keszthely, and is Europe’s largest hot spring lake. It is a real pleasure to bathe in its crystal-clear waters, always at 22 °C in summer and winter, completely surrounded by forest. In the middle of the lake there is a building accessible by footbridges from where you can bathe and sunbathe on its platforms. The entrance fee is 100 HUF.
Organize your travel itinerary with Passporter easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.
3. Tihany peninsula
Tihany is one of the most historic settlements on the lake and one of the most visited by tourists because of its beauty. It is located on a small peninsula that juts 5km into the lake and is home to the Tihany Abbey. The institution was founded in the early 10th century, and has undergone numerous restorations and reconstructions over the years. The abbey is open from 10:00h to 16:00h and is worth a visit just for the views of the lake.
4. Zamárdi
Located in the south, Zamárdi is one of the most touristy towns on Lake Balaton. Its beaches are small, and being situated on the narrowest part of the lake, you can see the Tihany peninsula on the other shore. The town is very lively during the summer, when concerts and festivals are organised.
In Zamárdi you can also choose from a multitude of water activities such as windsurfing or water parks, hiking trails or other cultural options, such as museums or ancient ruins.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Lake Balaton
While the villages around Lake Balaton are characteristically touristy and crowded, the surrounding area is quite the opposite. Small villages scattered with medieval architecture, fortresses, underwater cave galleries, vineyards and historic towns.
1. Balaton Highland National Park
The Balaton Highlands National Park measures over 500 hectares and is located to the west of the lake. Its main feature is its volcanic rock formations, as well as the views of Lake Balaton from its hills.
The park is divided into 6 areas. The aforementioned Tihany Peninsula is the best known, but there are others worth visiting as well. The Pécsely Basin is a wine-growing area located inland, and is characterised by vineyards, wineries and small charming villages. The Káli and Tapolca Basin is a flat, green area characterised by rock formations, views and a network of caves hidden beneath the surface. The caves can be visited by boat.
The Keszthely Hills are a forest area where we find the Festetics Palace. And finally there is the Kis-Balaton area, a large wetland with a great variety of birds.
2. Budapest
Hungary’s capital is well connected to the towns around the lake, and is a good choice for a day trip. It takes about 1.5 hours by car or train, and departures are fairly frequent.
In Budapest you must see the Parliament and the Danube Shoes, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the Budapest Citadel, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Jewish Quarter and the Great Synagogue of Budapest. The Central Market is also a place not to be missed, where you can buy typical Hungarian products. Clearly you won’t have time to see it all in one day, but at least you’ll get a good souvenir of its streets and lively pubs.
3. Veszprém
Despite the fact that this western city is not on the lake, it is one of the most visited for its historic centre and beauty. Veszprém is known as the city of queens, as many of the country’s queens were crowned here. In addition to strolling through the old town, you should visit the Archbishop’s Palace and climb the Fire Tower, from where the views are incredible. The baroque palace is open from 9:00h to 17:00h every day.
Another must-see is Veszprém’s neo-Romanesque cathedral, which is simple but interesting inside for the paintings on the walls. You should also see the city’s oldest building, the Gizella Chapel, whose original frescoes are still preserved to some extent.
5-day trip to Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is a very versatile destination in terms of length of stay. It allows you to spend from one day to two weeks doing beach tourism and discovering the surrounding towns and villages. It is also a very affordable holiday that includes activities for all tastes and ages.
We recommend spending at least 5 days. In that time you can visit the main cities such as Balatonfüred, Veszprém or Zamárdi, and other points of interest such as the Tihany Peninsula or the thermal springs of Lake Hérviz.
Lake Balaton is located in the heart of the Balaton Highlands National Park, where you can go on numerous excursions. And if that’s not enough, think about taking time to relax on the lake’s beaches and do some water sports.
How to get to Lake Balaton
The nearest airport is Sármellék airport, however, it is used for domestic flights or flights from nearby European capitals, so you won’t find direct tickets from Spain. So it’s almost better to fly to Budapest. From the airport it’s easiest to hire a car, especially if you’re going to be driving around the lake.
The lake is relatively well served by public transport. There are frequent trains from Deli and Kereti stations to the lakeside towns, Balatonfüred being the most important. The train takes between 2 and 3.5 hours and costs around €14.
Where to eat around Lake Balaton
You can imagine what is the typical dish around Lake Balaton, can’t you? Well, of course, it is fish, of course. However, you will also find in the surrounding villages many restaurants serving Hungarian, German and international cuisine. These are just a few of the restaurants where we recommend you stop for a bite to eat.
- András Buffet: is one of the most famous fried fish restaurants. The prices are very moderate and the terrace is very pleasant.
- Halas Karcsi, Zamárdi: This fish restaurant is in the village of Zamárdi. The decor is retro style, the prices are also very affordable and the owners are very friendly.
- Kistucsok: a restaurant in Balatonszemes specialising in Hungarian signature cuisine. Prices range between 20€ and 30€ and it’s definitely worth it.
- Vitorlás Étterem: This restaurant specialises in Hungarian and Central European cuisine. The room is very pleasant and they have vegan and vegetarian options.
What are the best accommodations on Lake Balaton?
Lake Balaton is a very touristy place, so you won’t have any problems finding accommodation as there is plenty on offer. Be sure to book well in advance, especially if you’re travelling in the summer months, as the lake is a favourite destination for many Hungarian and foreign tourists alike. Here are some suggestions with different price ranges.
- Aqua Hostel: is an affordable hostel located in Siófok, 800 m from the bus station and, 500 m from the beach. It is simple, quiet and has a garden. Room prices start from €70.
- Ház a kishegyen: is a beautiful wooden cottage in the middle of nature. It has three rooms, parking and a garden with barbecue. It costs €88 per night.
- Pole Position Beach Hotel: two-star hotel located on the beachfront. They also have their own bar, offer breakfast and have a sauna. The price per night is €140.
- CSOPAK Resort & Lake: a very modern and comfortable hotel, 5 minutes’ drive from the beach. It has a garden with swimming pool, tennis court and a restaurant serving Hungarian cuisine. It is perfect for families. The price per night is €111.
Travel Tips for Going to Lake Balaton
- The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
- The best time to travel to the lake is in summer, when the weather is warmer and there is more atmosphere in the surrounding towns.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to plan your trip to Lake Balaton
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Lake Balaton in Hungary.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about going to lake Balaton
The best time in terms of weather is from May to October, with the summer months being the most pleasant as temperatures are milder.
Of course! The best time is during the summer, however, the surrounding area has thermal springs that stay at 22°C all year round. So you can bathe at any time of the year.
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