As I mentioned in my post about Heviz, large lakes and thermal spas are a few of my favorite things. So what better destination to introduce than the big beautiful Lake Balaton? It’s a lovely destination to visit during the summer and shoulder seasons.
Where exactly is Lake Balaton?
Lake Balaton is in the Western part of Hungary, about an hour west of its capital Budapest. Affectionately known as the Hungarian sea, it is undoubtedly the top holiday destination for Hungarians. It’s also a popular place with former Warsaw pact countries since, during the cold war, this destination was one of the places abroad that people from behind the iron curtain could visit. It has become increasingly popular with other European tourists thanks to its proximity to Budapest and music festival every summer, Balaton sound. It’s also a relatively economical destination; even in the peak summer months, it is still not as filled to the brim with tourists as many other European destinations.
How big is this lake?
Lake Balaton is one of the biggest lakes in Europe, definitely the biggest in Central Europe. It is 592 km²; in simpler terms, it is 77 km ( 48 miles) long.
Although it looks massive, it is one of the shallowest lakes in Europe. It doesn’t get deeper than 12 meters. There are many parts where you can walk for a couple of hundred meters, and it won’t get past your waist.
Where is the best place on the lake to go?
It depends on you. If you would like something upscale, you can go to Balatonfured. If you are interested in partying, Siofok is the place for you. This town has many bars, clubs, stands selling all kinds of booze on the street, and lots of little stands for Langos, the Hungarian answer to pizza. It also hosts the yearly Balaton sound music festival.
My personal favorite is Tihany. An excellent swimming area is right by the docks, and the water isn’t as shallow as the rest of the lake. There are lavender fields nearby; I noticed lavender ice cream was a popular choice. The town itself is also quite quaint. You can climb a hill for the best view of the lake. Tihany is close to Balatonfüred, so you can easily combine the two in one day.
If you are interested in more cultural aspects, Keszsthely is an excellent choice. It is also right next to Heviz, the largest thermal lake in the world.
If you have a car getting around the lake is very easy. Although if you are without a car, getting around is also very easy. Especially if you want to go between Siofolk, Balatonfured, and Tihany., A ferry goes around to these main places every hour or every other hour. You can check here for the timetables as they change at varying times of the year. There is also a 200 kilometer bike trail that goes all around the lake. It’s the perfect trail for those that are aspiring distance cyclists. There is no shortage of places to stop along the lake and most of the trail is relatively flat.
How do I get to Lake Balaton by public transport?
It’s pretty straightforward from Budapest. You can leave from Budapest Deli Pu to either Sofolk to Balatonfured. The trip takes about an hour and a half by train and costs about 7.50 euros. You can also check Flixbus for some international destinations. I know there is a Siofolk stop between Budapest and Ljubljana. You can also check out the Hungarian bus network
Any other recommendations to do in particular?
- Taste the local Hungarian specialties: Zanderfillet, Spicy fish soup,Lecsó ( Hungarian pepper stew), sweet and savory pancakes
- Go to a wine tasting
- The Lake Balaton Bicycle Path
- Rent a paddle boat or SUP for about 10 euros an hour
- Go to a Spa in Balatonfüred
- The Lake Balaton Bicycle Path for those who want to cycle around the entire lake or some of it
- Lay around Sajkod beach in Tihany
- Take a side trip to Heviz.