A Full Information to Visiting Lake Balaton, Hungary

To say I used to be impressed after I’ve seen Lake Balaton, Hungary for the primary time is an overstatement. It was a dismal March afternoon (20 years in the past), I used to be taking the practice from Budapest to Ljubljana (Slovenia) and handed “the Hungarian see” on the way in which.

It seemed grey and miserable, the panorama round it additionally didn’t look very inviting, and I couldn’t actually perceive what the entire hype is about. However I wished to offer the place a correct probability and determined to go to Lake Balaton once more.

Now, after two Lake Balaton journeys, I can say it is among the greatest locations to go to in Hungary (even for those who go there solely on one of many day journeys from Budapest). Nonetheless, it actually relies on which locations you resolve to go to on Lake Balaton as a few of them are fairly nice whereas others are simply okay.

Right here is the Lake Balaton information with all data you may want!

The place is Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, the most important lake in Hungary, is positioned within the central a part of the nation. From Budapest to its northern shore it’s slightly below 100 km whereas the southern edge is 180 km away from the capital.

get to Lake Balaton

Attending to Lake Balaton is definitely very easy. There are frequent, quick, and direct trains from Budapest, serving each shores of Lake Balaton (you should definitely examine upfront which aspect of the lake you wish to go to and select the fitting practice).

In Budapest the trains depart from Deli station, you may simply attain it by metro because it’s the final cease on the purple line 2. Additionally they cease at Kelenföld station (on the finish of inexperienced line 4 of the metro) however I like to recommend taking the practice from Deli.

You’ll be able to examine the connections and get tickets here on the web site of Hungarian railways MAV.

On the weekends and on heat days the trains is likely to be overcrowded so higher arrive on the practice station a bit forward to attain a seat.

get round Lake Balaton

Getting round Lake Balaton is straightforward too! Moreover trains, you can too use native buses and boats.

I particularly suggest the boats as this fashion you may see the lake from a special perspective. Boats are additionally the simplest approach to get throughout the lake. You will discover the schedule of boats here.

What to see at Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton stretches for nearly 80 km and each side of it are lined with cities and villages. A few of them are extra fascinating than others however mainly, all over the place you may get pleasure from Lake Balaton with its good views and quite a few seashores to calm down.

I personally most well-liked the northern shore extra however you may simply go to each throughout your journey to Lake Balaton. Listed below are the perfect locations to go to at Lake Balaton.

Balatonfüred

Balatonfüred, positioned on the northern shore, is called one of many capitals of Lake Balaton (the opposite one being Siofok throughout the lake). Even when it’s the third largest city on the lakeshore it nonetheless appears like a small charming city with elegant villas, a pleasant promenade to wander alongside, and a beautiful enjoyable vibe. That is additionally one of many oldest spas within the area the place therapies began in 1722.

Tihany

Situated simply south of Balatonfüred, the gorgeous peninsula is among the largest Lake Balaton points of interest.

The principle cause to return right here is to go to the Benedictine Tihany Abbey courting again to the mid-Eleventh century (nonetheless, the place bought its present take care of the reconstruction in Baroque type in 1754). The abbey, positioned excessive on the hill above the lake, is necessary for its cultural, non secular, and creative values.

While you’re right here, cease for a espresso and cake within the close by Rege Cukrászda as views from there are merely breathtaking.

Siofok

The true capital of Balaton, positioned on its southern aspect, is thought particularly for its vibrant ambiance and nice nightlife. However even if you’re probably not all for events, there are some good points of interest in Siofok too: the water tower, two fascinating church buildings or some stunning villas from the tip of the nineteenth/starting of the twentieth century.

Keszthely

That is the oldest city at Lake Balaton (with a historical past of over 750 years), positioned on the very finish of it (wanting from Budapest).

The town’s largest attraction is the beautiful and spectacular Festetics Palace from the 18th century, one of many largest buildings of that sort in Hungary. Immediately the palace is house to the museum however you will discover extra points of interest on the property and wander across the nice gardens.

The lakeside promenade is one other high quality place for a stroll as is the middle of the city with quite a few monuments and points of interest.

Badacsony

Badacsony is the most well-liked vacation spot on Lake Balaton for followers of wine, particularly regionally produced Olaszrizling. The picturesque rolling hills are the place you will discover quite a few vineyards, you can too go to quite a few wineries positioned within the space.

Balatonudvari

Moreover the everyday Lake Balaton points of interest, it’s price stopping right here to see the graveyard with the heart-shaped tombstones from the early nineteenth century.

Zánka

The village, inhabited already in Roman instances, with the oldest church within the Lake Balaton area (initially courting again to the twelfth century). The place can be house to the uniquely formed hill of Hegyestű.

Badacsonytomaj

One other picturesque place on the northern shore, with spectacular views of Lake Balaton and a pleasing heart. Badacsonytomaj can be recognized for its high quality wines.

Balatonederics

One other nice place, courting again to the thirteenth century (the church positioned in Balatonederics is from that point, nonetheless, what you may see right now is from the second half of the nineteenth century). Within the village, you can too go to the fascinating Africa Museum and zoo.

Balatonföldvár

A well-liked vacation spot south of Siofok the place you may see some stunning outdated mansions and villas in addition to get pleasure from a pleasing promenade and the harbor.

Balatonlelle

The resort is common particularly amongst households. Balatonlelle can be house to the wine pageant that takes place within the first half of August.

Some of the picturesque spots of the city is St. Donatus Chapel, positioned on the hill above the lake, from the place you can too admire the gorgeous panorama of the realm.

What to see close to Lake Balaton

In case you spend extra time at Lake Balaton you can too discover close by areas that additionally provide loads of points of interest.

Simply earlier than arriving at Lake Balaton, you may cease in Szekesfehervar, the primary capital of Hungary (within the Eleventh century) with its stunning heart and plenty of fascinating spots to see.

One other place price visiting is Tapolca recognized for its Lake Cave – the underground water system underneath the middle of the city.

Not removed from Keszthely you may go to Heviz the place you will discover the world’s second-largest thermal lake. The water within the lake comes from the thermal spring and by no means drops under 24°C, not even within the wintertime.

The world round Lake Balaton was declared the Balaton Uplands Nationwide Park in 1997 and you may get pleasure from there quite a few stunning wonders of nature, similar to Csodabogyós Cave or Szent György Hill Basalt Organs.

The place to remain at Lake Balaton

Not each place on Lake Balaton is appropriate for everybody.

In case you are searching for a bustling base with nice nightlife, Siofok is a spot for you. For a extra creative and laid-back vibe select Balatonfüred. The very best place for households is Balatonlelle whereas if you’re searching for an awesome wine vacation spot (which suggests you gained’t should drive an excessive amount of) then select the lodging in Badacsony.

Click here to find the best places to stay on Lake Balaton at Booking.

Day journey from Budapest to Lake Balaton

In case you are brief on time throughout your journey to Hungary you may simply go for a day journey from Budapest to Lake Balaton. I did it as soon as and had a extremely good time, seeing a number of the greatest locations to go to in Lake Balaton.

You’ll be able to take the practice from Budapest to Balatonfüred, it takes slightly below 2 hours so it’s higher to start out your day early. After seeing the city take the boat or bus to Tihany to see the monastery and drink espresso with in all probability the perfect view of Lake Balaton.

As soon as you might be completed with this charming place take the boat to Siofok on the opposite aspect of Lake Balaton. From there, after seeing the city, you may take the practice again to Budapest (it takes 1h20min to get again to the capital).

Remaining ideas on visiting Lake Balaton

To be sincere, I wouldn’t actually select Lake Balaton as my vacation vacation spot. However for a day or just a few, it’s a good place to go to, to flee the hustle and bustle of busy Budapest, to benefit from the distinctive vibe of the “Hungarian sea” and to see what the entire hype about Lake Balaton is about.

I’m glad I’ve determined to offer the place an opportunity as I truly actually loved my time there, particularly when it was heat and sunny and the lake had a stupendous emerald shade. Who is aware of, possibly you will discover Lake Balaton an awesome place to go to too!

Additional studying

Whereas everybody goes to Budapest, Hungary truly affords many extra nice locations to go to. I’ve been to a lot of them to this point and coated them on my weblog.

In case you consider visiting Hungary, you may discover these articles helpful:

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