Balaton guide 

Siófok - "The capital of Balaton" is famous for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and cultural events.

Balatonfüred - The famous spa town and sailing center lies on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.

Keszthely - A historic town with a rich history, home to the famous Baroque castle Festetics.

Tihany – A town located on a peninsula, known primarily for its Benedictine abbey and beautiful views of the lake. The Tihany Peninsula is a protected area with rich flora and fauna.

Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and one of the most popular holiday spots in Hungary, is located in the western part of the country. It is nicknamed the "Hungarian Sea". The lake has an area of ​​approximately 596 km², a length of around 77 kilometers and a width between 4 and 14 kilometers.

Balaton is located on a tectonic fault line, which gives it a unique shape and depth, averaging around 3-4 meters, with the deepest point reaching about 12.5 meters.

The lake's relative shallowness allows it to warm up quickly in the summer months. In summer, the water temperature often reaches 25-28 °C, which makes Lake Balaton an ideal place for swimming and water sports.

Tourists liked the area around Lake Balaton thanks to its picturesque landscape, sandy beaches, thermal springs and historical monuments. On the northern coast you will find the famous Badacsony, a volcanic hill where wine is grown, and the town of Tihany with its Benedictine abbey.

Lake Balaton offers many activities including swimming, sailing, fishing, cycling, hiking and tasting local wines. A popular resort on the south coast is the town of Siófok, known for its beaches and nightlife.

The area around Lake Balaton is known for its rich culinary tradition, which draws on Hungarian cuisine and uses fresh ingredients from the surrounding areas, including fish from the lake, local wine and traditional Hungarian dishes. Here you can try, for example, Halászlé (fish soup) made from zander or carp caught in Balaton, Fogas (zander), the most famous fish of Balaton, langoustine or trdelník. Some of the local wines are suitable for drinking, whether red (Kékfrankos or Merlot) or white (Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát), in summer the locals prefer Froccs - wine spritzer with soda.

In addition to the lake itself, you can find many natural beauties around Balaton, including the Balaton Highlands and the Kis-Balaton Reserve, where many rare species of birds nest.

The region around Lake Balaton has a rich history, with many archaeological finds, medieval castles and cultural monuments. Tihany Abbey belongs to the most important historical places in the area.

Siófok guide

Siófok is located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, about 100 km from Budapest. It belongs to the largest and most famous resorts near Lake Balaton. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and cultural events. It is often referred to as the "capital of Balaton".

There are approximately 25,000 permanent residents living in Siófok, but in the summer season the number of people in the city increases significantly due to tourists.

The city has a long history, with the first mentions of it dating back to the 11th century. It developed significantly in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and the growing popularity of Balaton as a holiday destination.

The most famous monuments include:
Water tower (Víztorony) - This historic tower is located in the center of the city and offers a wonderful view of Lake Balaton and the surrounding countryside. It currently serves as an observation tower and a cafe.

Imre Kálmán Museum - This museum was dedicated to the famous Hungarian operetta composer who was born in Siófok.
Church of St. Lawrence - Historic church, one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Aranypart (Golden Coast) - The most famous and popular beach in Siófok.

You can get to Siófok easily both by road and by rail. The main railway line connects the city with Budapest and other parts of Hungary. In the summer, there is also a regular boat service on Lake Balaton.

In Siófok you can enjoy both peaceful relaxation by the lake and active entertainment and cultural activities. The city is suitable for families, young couples and individuals looking for relaxation or nightlife.

Accommodation in Siófok

In Siófok you can choose from almost 1150 different accommodation capacities. Apartments, villas and houses are most often represented here, then guest houses, hotels and you will also find several hostels.

You can indulge in luxury in Siófok, for example, at the 4* Mala Garden Design Hotel. The accommodation is located right on the shore of the lake, so you can enjoy beautiful views here. The local restaurant offers both local dishes and specialties of Thai or vegetarian cuisine. The hotel's wellness center includes a hot tub, Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, tropical shower and Thai massages.

Villa Bauhaus Wellness Apart-Hotel is located a short distance from the beach and offers a private seasonal pool, accommodation in rooms or apartments, private parking, a garden, a terrace or a shared lounge. In the wellness center you can enjoy, for example, a hot tub and a sauna.

Pension Villa Frida offers pleasant accommodation near Lake Balaton with a seasonal pool and garden. You can stay here either in a room or in an apartment with a kitchenette. Villa Frida offers accommodation only for people over 18 years old.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Siófok, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.

Balatonfüred guide

Balatonfüred, a picturesque spa town lies on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Budapest. It belongs to the oldest and most prestigious resorts in this area, it is famous mainly for its thermal springs, beautiful promenades and rich cultural history. The city is surrounded by hills and vineyards, which gives the area a specific atmosphere.

Balatonfüred has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The town became a popular spa resort in the 18th century thanks to the discovery of healing mineral springs. In the 19th century, Balatonfüred became a favorite place for the aristocracy and intellectuals.

The city is famous for its spas, especially thanks to the thermal springs that contain mineral waters with healing properties. Spa Park and Spa Anna are the center of spa treatment and relaxation.

In Balatonfüred you will find many historical buildings and picturesque promenades. The city offers beautiful views of Lake Balaton, especially from Tagore Promenade, named after the Indian poet Rabindranath Thakur, who visited the city and fell in love with it.

Many festivals, concerts and social events take place here. Among the most important are Anna-bál (Anna's Ball), one of the oldest balls in Hungary. It attracts the attention of many visitors every year.

Major tourist attractions include:
Tagore Promenade - A picturesque promenade along the lake, an ideal place for walking and relaxing with a view of Lake Balaton. The promenade is lined with trees planted with famous personalities.

Spa Anna - Historic spa facility known for its mineral springs and healing procedures.

Balatonfüred boat transport - The town is an important center for boat transport on Lake Balaton, which allows for easy trips on the lake.

The vineyards around the town produce high-quality wines that visitors can enjoy in local wine shops and restaurants. Balatonfüred is famous for its winemaking tradition, especially thanks to the local wine Olaszrizling (Welschriesling).

You can get to Balatonfüred both by road and by train from Budapest. The city also has a harbor that serves as a starting point for cruises on Lake Balaton.

The economy of Balatonfüred depends on tourism, spas and winemaking. During the summer season, the city becomes a busy center with many tourists who come for relaxation, health and cultural experiences.

Accommodation in Balatonfüred

In Balatonfüred, you can stay in one of the more than 300 available accommodation capacities. Apartments are traditionally the most represented, followed by guest houses, houses and villas, and hotels. You can choose accommodation by the beach or perhaps accommodation with a swimming pool.

You can indulge in real luxury at the 5* Hotel Vinifera Wine & Spa 5 Stars Superior. In the spa, you can enjoy an indoor pool, a hot tub, a steam sauna, massages or a beauty salon. For children, they have prepared a children's pool, a playroom and a children's club. In good weather, you can enjoy the outdoor pool or the garden with a terrace. You can park for free in the hotel area.

The pleasant 4* Gold House Pension offers accommodation with breakfast in 2, 3 and 4-bed rooms. It is located a short distance from the beach and the city center. For your relaxation, the guesthouse offers a garden, a sun terrace, a sauna or an indoor pool. You can park your car for free in the private parking lot.

Some guests will certainly appreciate that a credit card is not required to book Castle house. You can stay here in an apartment or in a double room with a balcony. You can relax on the sun terrace by the pool or in the garden. You can use the outdoor grill or free private parking.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Balatonfured, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.

Keszthely guide

Keszthely, a historic town located on the western shore of Lake Balaton, is one of the oldest and most important towns in the area. Keszthely is an ideal destination for lovers of history, architecture and nature.

The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is located near the thermal baths in Hévíz, which makes it a popular starting point for trips to the surrounding area.

Keszthely has a rich history dating back to Roman times. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a cultural and intellectual center thanks to the Festetics family, who built a famous castle here.

Festetics Castle – This baroque castle is one of the largest and most beautiful aristocratic residences in Hungary. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful English park and today serves as a museum, which exhibits, among other things, a rich library, historical furniture and art collections.

The city hosts many cultural events, including concerts, theater performances and festivals. You will also find several interesting museums here, such as the Balaton Museum, which presents the history and nature of the region, or the Carriage Museum, which exhibits a collection of historic carriages and sleighs.

What sights and attractions can you visit in Keszthely:
Festetics Castle - This baroque castle is one of the largest and most beautiful aristocratic residences in Hungary. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful English park. Today it serves as a museum, which exhibits, among other things, a rich library, historical furniture and art collections. It offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the Hungarian aristocracy.

Balaton Museum - A museum focused on the history and nature of Balaton presents archaeological finds, natural exhibits and the history of fishing on Balaton.
The Church of the Virgin Mary – The Gothic church, which has been rebuilt several times, is one of the oldest sacred buildings in the area.
Carriage Museum - This museum exhibits a unique collection of historic carriages, sleighs and other means of transportation.

You can reach Keszthely by road and railway. The city is located on the main railway line leading around Lake Balaton, which enables easy connections with Budapest and other cities in the vicinity. Not far from the city you will find the Hévíz-Balaton International Airport.

Accommodations in Keszthely

In Keszthely, you can stay in one of almost 250 different accommodations. The widest selection is offered by apartments, then houses and villas, guest houses and also hotels. Many of them are located by the beach.

Aparthotel Akvárium Apartmanházak offers apartment accommodation with a view of the lake. In all apartments you will find a well-equipped kitchen, air conditioning and a patio. The complex is located right by the lake and offers guests a garden, a terrace, a barbecue, a children's playground and a private parking lot.

Accommodation in apartments or rooms is also offered by the Tokajer Wellness Panzió, which you can find not far from the beach. In the pension, you can use the fitness center, indoor pool, 2 seasonal outdoor pools, bicycles, table tennis, football or billiards completely free of charge.

Comfortable accommodation is offered by the Villa Lillybeth Garden Rooms guesthouse, which you can find less than a kilometer from Keszthelyi Városi Strand beach. Here you can relax in the garden or on the terrace with outdoor furniture, you can park for free right in the building. You can use the shared kitchen. They can arrange transport or rent a bicycle at the 24-hour reception.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Keszthely, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.

Tihany guide

Tihany is located on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, approximately 140 kilometers southwest of Budapest. The Tihany Peninsula divides Lake Balaton into two parts and provides beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding countryside.

They settled the area already in the days of the Roman Empire and it became an important spiritual center when they founded the Tihany Abbey (Tihanyi Bencés Apátság) in 1055, making it one of the oldest Benedictine abbeys in Hungary.

The Tihany Peninsula is also famous for its acoustic peculiarity – the echo, which was one of the biggest tourist attractions in the past. Although the echo is not as strong today due to changes in the landscape and vegetation, it still attracts visitors who want to experience this unique acoustic.

Tihany, a protected nature reserve, forms part of the Balaton-felvidéki National Park. The peninsula offers wonderful natural scenery, including lavender fields, volcanic cones, moors and unique flora and fauna. Tourists can take advantage of the many hiking trails that lead across the peninsula and offer breathtaking views of Lake Balaton.

In the surroundings of Tihana, there are lavender fields that bloom in June and July and create a beautiful purple landscape. Local lavender products, including oils, soaps and other products, are often taken by tourists as popular souvenirs.

A number of cultural and folklore events take place in Tihany every year, including the Lavender Festival, which celebrates the lavender harvest. Tihany also offers a number of museums, galleries and traditional Hungarian restaurants that allow visitors to experience the local culture and cuisine.

Local sights and attractions include:
Tihan Abbey - Benedictine abbey founded by King Andrew I of Hungary. The monastery church was originally built in the Romanesque style, but in the 18th century it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The monastery also has a beautiful crypt where King Andrew I was buried.

Marzipan Museum - A small museum dedicated to the art of making marzipan with examples of detailed models and sculptures made from this sweet.
Belső-tó (Inner Lake) - Volcanic lake in the middle of the peninsula, ideal for hiking and bird watching.

You can easily get to Tihana by car, bus and ferry. The ferry connection from Tihany to the town of Szántód on the southern shore of Lake Balaton offers a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding countryside.

Tihany's economy focuses mainly on tourism, agriculture (especially lavender cultivation) and winemaking. Local wines, such as the Olaszrizling (Welschriesling) variety, stand out for their quality and popularity among visitors.

Accommodation in Tihany

The small town of Tihany offers almost 100 different accommodation capacities, from the most represented apartments and guesthouses to villas and hotels. You can choose from accommodation with air conditioning or perhaps accommodation by the beach.

The popular guesthouse Ferenc Vendégház offers accommodation with breakfast near the city center in double or family rooms. You can relax in the garden or on the terrace with amazing views of the lake. If you arrive by car, you can park for free in the guesthouse area.

If you want to fully enjoy the ancient character of the city, you can find the Centrum Vendégház guesthouse in a complex of buildings in a rustic style, 200 meters from the Tihany Monastery. Here you have a garden, a common room or a shared kitchen. You can park directly at the guesthouse for free.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Tihany, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.