Lake Balaton in Hungary. Entertainment and active recreation. History and legends
Lake Balaton, the largest in Europe, is located in the western part of Hungary, on the Middle Danube Plain. The dimensions of this reservoir can be said to be inversely proportional to its depth. Only in Tihany Harbor it reaches 12 meters in some places, while in others it barely reaches three.
Apparently, this circumstance influenced the fact that many call the lake “the largest European puddle.” Despite such an offensive nickname, Lake Balaton has undeniable advantages that attract many tourists from all over Europe.
Geography and history of the lake
Isn’t it true that the name of the lake contains the word “swamp”? This is no coincidence. Firstly, the places here are indeed partly swampy, there are many small rivers, thermal springs.
And secondly, the Russian word bolot and the Hungarian Balaton have one common Slavic root - blato, which, in fact, means “swamp”. In modern Slovak and Slovenian languages, the name of the lake that is closest to the Old Slavic version is preserved - Blatenske, Blatno jazeо.
The geological age of the lake is several tens of thousands of years. Thanks to violent volcanic activity and tectonic shifts, the lake was gradually formed from the ancient Pannonian Sea.
These places were inhabited even before the rise of the Roman Empire. In different historical periods, the Romans, Avars, and peoples of the Kestel culture settled here. Starting from the 9th century, these territories were occupied by Slavic peoples, who founded the Blaten Principality here, with its center in the present village of Zalavar.
After the arrival of the Hungarians in the 10th century, the construction of churches, abbeys, castles and fortresses began along the shores of the lake, many of which have survived to this day.
Legends
Local residents like to tell two legends, both concerning the history of the lake:
One tells how a farmer, wanting to remove a huge boulder from his plot, accidentally released a spring, which filled the surrounding area.
Another claims that the lake is the tears of a beautiful girl languishing in a dungeon at the bottom of the lake.
The fairy tale is a lie, of course, but the truth is that the lake is actually fed by numerous springs and streams. A mineral composition thermal water, in fact, is somewhat reminiscent of the chemical composition of human tears. Beautiful legends are always based on real story no matter how we treat them. 
Resorts
The entire coast of the lake (and it is considerable, 236 kilometers!) is a chain of cities, hamlets, villages, turning one into another. The entire infrastructure, which has developed especially actively over the past 25 years, is geared towards tourism.
The sandy bottom, shallow depth, warm and clean water, and convenient entrance to the lake attract families with small children. Regardless of age, every tourist will find entertainment for themselves here. Numerous cafes, restaurants, hotels, hostels, and apartments eliminate the problem of where to stay and what to eat.
Conventionally, the shores of Lake Balaton are divided into North and South. The banks differ slightly in vegetation, but are generally similar to each other. The towns are also not very different from each other, but still have their own little characteristics. 
Keszthely
A small town in the west of Balaton, the name of which preserves the history of the ancient Kestel culture. In the city you can see beautiful palace in the Baroque style, which once belonged to the princely family of Festetics. A small street leads from the palace to the marzipan museum with its own confectionery and the doll museum.
In addition, four kilometers from the city there is the famous thermal lake Heviz, whose healing water relieves many ailments. Of course, all this is available in addition to beautiful beaches, water sports, sailing.
Szigliget
A calm, quiet town with no bustling resort life. But there are the ruins of an ancient fortress of the 13th century and excellent wine from a local grape variety. 
Badacsonytomaj
Another winemaking center on the lake coast. Famous throughout Hungary, the wines of Szurkebarat and Keknyelyu are made here. On the basalt mountain located near the city there are many restaurants and cafes serving wines from local cellars. And from the observation deck there is a breathtaking view of the entire lake.
Revfulep
This small town is balneological resort, one of the many cities located along the shores of the lake. Mineral springs, the picturesque Kali Valley, a chain of forest-covered mountains and a warm lake - what could be better to recharge your health and good mood for the whole year!
Tihany
The ancient settlement is located on the peninsula of the same name, on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. The main attraction of Tihany is the church and Benedictine monastery on the highest hill of the peninsula. The two domes of the church are visible from afar. Especially beautiful panorama they are viewed from a ferry or pleasure boat. It is interesting that the document, which contains the exact date of the founding of the monastery, 1055, is itself a monument of culture and Hungarian writing.
Balatonfured
Another famous resort. The cardiology clinic, famous throughout Europe, is located here. In addition to improving your health, there is something to do and see here. Almost every building in the town has historical and cultural value. 
Tapolca
In this town there is a cave with a unique microclimate, which has a beneficial effect on the lungs, helps with asthma, bronchitis and other chronic diseases.
Siofok
The most popular place on the entire Balaton coast. The city is filled with restaurants, nightclubs, expensive hotels and private villas. Those who are disgusted by the calm, quiet, measured resort life stay here. This city often hosts music festivals, exhibitions, celebrity concerts. People come here for entertainment, shopping and vibrant nightlife.
Balatonföldvar
We can say that this is the most bohemian place on Lake Balaton. The fact is that the village was built according to a pre-planned plan. All expensive villas, alleys, marinas, cafes and hotels are successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape. Wonderful views very quickly they began to attract not only the rich, but also artists. As often happens, they made the city recognizable and popular. 
Location on the map
How to get to the lake
From the capital of Hungary to the first settlement on the lake is only 115 kilometers. You can get to Lake Balaton from Budapest in about an hour and a half. In the Siofok area, the highway merges with the road that encircles the entire lake.
Along the northern and southern shores there is a Railway, which connects the capital with resort towns. By train you can get from Budapest to Siofok in 2 hours, to Keszthely in 3 hours.
Balaton-Sermellek International Airport is located 11 kilometers from Keszthely. The airport is small, but planes fly here from Berlin, London, Copenhagen, Stuttgart, and Zurich. IN summer time Constant flights are open to Lake Balaton from Moscow. In addition, you can fly here from Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Hamburg.
From Moscow and St. Petersburg you can fly to Vienna or Budapest, from there you can get to Lake Balaton by bus, taxi, or rented car (this method is preferable for those who plan to travel along the entire coast).
The “Hungarian Sea” is definitely worth attention if you have a few days to travel around the country. Here you can relax by the water and see interesting places, taste the best wine in Hungary and add health with healing springs.
Basic moments
One of the main advantages of Lake Balaton is that it is famous tourist site, popular not only in the republic itself, but also in other countries, especially neighboring ones. Around the lake is located resort area, and today it itself represents real center family vacation. Moreover, active recreation: in addition to traditional fishing, vacationers engage in sailing and surfing, rowing and water skiing. The presence of mineral and thermal springs makes this pearl of Hungary also a medical resort, where hundreds and thousands of people improve their health.
Due to its shallow depth, Lake Balaton warms up well in summer, up to almost 26° C. On average, its temperature during the season is 21-22 degrees. Thanks to such comfortable indicators, as well as the highest level of service and traditional Hungarian hospitality, Balaton ranks as one of the leading places among the most visited resorts of the Old Continent. The continuous strip of sandy beaches of the southern coast and the picturesque landscape of its northern shores, where there are mountains, orchards, vineyards and the ruins of ancient fortresses, not only create the complete illusion of a holiday at sea, but also make the reservoir and its surroundings one of the most unique places in Europe.
History and legends
The predecessor of Lake Balaton was the Pannonian Sea, which existed several million years ago. Due to geological shifts, the seabed has undergone significant changes. It rose, which in turn led to changes in the landscape. At the same time, an increased volcanic activity. Its result was the appearance of a large number of mineral and thermal springs. They predetermined the current “fate” of Balaton as a popular health resort.
The shallow depth of the “Hungarian Sea” largely influenced the fact that people began to settle on its shores from time immemorial. These were the tribes of Slavs and Germans, Celts and Thracians. In the 1st century AD, the Romans settled here and founded an entire province - Pannonia. In the 6th century they were supplanted by the Avars. The 500-700s can be called a kind of transition period to future statehood. The peoples who lived here had mixed Romano-Slavic-Avar origin, but did not have a state as such. Somewhat later, in the 9th century, the Slavs formed the Blaten Principality here. The capital of this formation was the city with unusual name– Blatnograd, located near the Balaton coast on the Zala River. Nowadays, on the site of the former “capital city” there is a village with the same name.
Hungarian tribes came here at the beginning of the 10th century. After capturing the region, Stephen the Saint built an abbey in Zalavare (1019). Another abbey appeared on the Tihany Peninsula in 1055 - with the light hand of King Andras I. In the 16th century, several defensive fortresses grew along the northern shore of the lake. And only from the 18th century Balaton completely switched to a “peaceful” life: tourism began to actively develop. The once small villages have grown surprisingly quickly, turning into resort-type towns. Representatives of the Hungarian and Austrian elite loved to recover here. Subsequently, people began to come here not only for medical reasons: summer holidays on the lake came into fashion as a kind of obligatory attribute. If someone from the nobility, for various reasons, did not come here in the summer, the year was considered “lived in vain.”
In 1846, the transport capabilities of Balaton began to be actively exploited: shipping was opened on the lake. With the development of railway transport towards the end of the 19th century, economic life began to boil with new strength, and this continued until the Second World War, which disrupted the usual way of life. Particularly fierce fighting took place in the vicinity of Lake Balaton in March 1945. The tank and field armies of the Wehrmacht fiercely resisted the troops of the III Ukrainian Front. During the clashes, which went down in history as the Balaton operation, buildings and structures on the coast were seriously damaged. After the war, the new authorities began to gradually restore the lost tourism potential of the region.
Several legends are also associated with this unique body of water. Ancient people, who had no idea about complex geological and volcanic processes, wondered how so much water could accumulate in one place. This is how a myth was born that one hardworking digger was bothered by a large stone, and he decided to move it away so that nothing would interfere with cultivating the field. But it turned out completely differently: from under it a source burst out to the surface with a very clean water, which gradually flooded the entire valley, and it turned into a whole lake, which the Hungarians themselves call “Balchi”.
Another local legend says that at the bottom of Lake Balaton there is a church, and inside there is a beautiful girl. She cries constantly and inconsolably, and until this flow of tears stops, the water in Balaton will not dry up. If you believe this legend and judge by the current state of the water surface, the poor concubine does not even think of stopping...
Features of Lake Balaton
Researchers, of course, did not find any church, much less a crying girl, at the bottom of the “Hungarian Sea.” But they were quite impressed by the velvety sand covering it. The water itself does not look so beautiful, since it contains a lot of plankton. But since this component plays a key role in the Balaton ecosystem, vacationers “forgive” nature for the lack of transparency in the water. But it is very clean, which is confirmed by regular inspections of sanitary and epidemiological services and independent experts. Hungarians, proud of their “sea” (the country has no access to the world’s oceans), claim that you can even drink from it.
The color of Balaton water is like a chameleon: mostly light green, but can change depending on the time of day or weather conditions. The climate is in many ways reminiscent of the Mediterranean. If there are cloudy days, they are very rare. It's good here in winter too severe frosts and, accordingly, no icing is observed. The thickness of the ice cover does not exceed 10-20 cm. Although it happened (but extremely rarely) that the ice crust reached 60-70 cm in thickness. The only trouble is the strong winds: they blow both in winter and in summer. They are potentially dangerous for fans sailing(a yacht may capsize) and even small vessels.
The depth of the lake, as noted above, is small. However, its level is not the same for the entire coast. On the southern shore, even if you walk 200-300 meters from it, the water will still be knee-deep. It’s not for nothing that the Hungarians call Lake Balaton “the largest puddle in Europe” or even a “swamp”. On the opposite bank, everything is different: the depth of a man’s height and even a little more begins after 20-30 meters!
Coast and beaches
There are many resort towns along the perimeter of both shores of Lake Balaton. These are Balatonalmadi, Tihany, Balatonfüred, Keszthely (in the north) and Balatonlelle, Siofok, Fenjod, Blatonboglar (in the south). They are somewhat similar to one another, but at the same time they are different. They have one thing in common: it’s nice to come here on vacation and gain health and strength for the whole year.
The Balaton beaches also differ from each other. On the northern coast the bottom is rocky. The depth does not increase gradually, as in the south, but more steeply. Because of these features, its beaches are more suitable for experienced swimmers. They prefer not to travel to the northern coast with small children. Keszthely and Szigetfürdő are some of the nicest places here. Many excellent beach villages can be found near the villages of Tihany, Zanka and Balatonfüred.
The southern side, especially the coastal strip, is a real find for those who are not very good swimmers and vacationers with small children. The kids splash carefree in the water, the depth of which barely reaches 50 cm, and parents don’t have to worry too much about them (although, of course, you need to keep an eye on your children). The villages of Kenesh, Aliga and Akarattya are located here. Their beaches as one “look” to the south, so vacationers can bask in the gentle rays from morning until almost sunset.
When talking about local beaches, one cannot fail to mention their infrastructure. Some have waterslides, animation. In others, vacationers are taught the basics of fitness and aquafitness. On Lido Beach, for example (this is on the northern coast), in addition to children's animation, there are water ski tracks. And Deneshdiash beach in the south can rightfully be called children's: there is playground, where exciting programs for the youngest are organized during the season.
Many resorts, including some individual baths, are not located directly on the shores of Lake Balaton, but this does not make them any less popular. One of these resorts where you can not only relax, but also improve your health, is Heviz. Its main attraction is the lake of the same name, the largest thermal reservoir in Europe.
Not far from it is the health resort Zalakaros, famous for its Granite bath. The bathhouse in the city of Marzali is also well known to vacationers, where thousands of people improve their health every year.
Another center of resort life is the already mentioned Siófok, whose hallmark is the Galerius entertaining bath.
Without exception, all baths have large pools. Vacationers can enjoy water activities designed for both adults and children.
Recreation and entertainment
The entire southern coast, from Balatonberen to Balatonlelle, is one continuous beach. Siófok is rightfully considered the center of the region, its summer “capital”. A rich and varied entertainment program awaits representatives of all ages. The length of the beach is 17 km, and everywhere you can find opportunities for both sports and just active recreation. There is music everywhere and discos are open, so it is not surprising that Siófok has become a place of “pilgrimage” for young people.
In the city of Balatonfüzfö - this is already on the northern shore of Lake Balaton - there is a grandiose sports center. There is everything here for a connoisseur of active recreation to truly “unwind his soul”: a swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, football fields. Those who like to practice shooting spend time at the local shooting range. Bobsledders will enjoy the year-round track. Add to this the presence of numerous yacht clubs, places for activities, horse riding and an excellent cycling route between the cities and in the surrounding area.
In Balatonfüred, one of the largest cities on the northern coast, there is a cardiological sanatorium known not only in Hungary, but also far beyond its borders. The resort is known for its “Greek Village” complex, where there are many shops (this is a paradise for shopping fans!), restaurants and nightclubs. Directly on the coast there are many hotels and guesthouses. There are some within the city limits. You can move around the resort by electric train.
Lake Balaton also attracts fishing enthusiasts. But fishing is not allowed everywhere, only in places such as Alshoors, Balatonfüzfö, Balatonakli, Tihany and Balatonalmadi. However, the most popular among fishermen are the Inner Lake on the Tihany Peninsula, lakes in the villages of Zalamerene and Galambok and Lake Shoshto in the vicinity of Little Balaton, in Balatonsabadi. One of the inhabitants of the local waters - pike perch - is called the “king” of Balaton fish. IN local restaurants dishes made from it are a permanent part of the menu. Fishing officially begins at the end of April. Only without special permission will your fishing be considered illegal: you can purchase a document in every fish store.
Continuing the topic of active recreation, it should be noted that there are tennis courts and mini-golf courses in every resort town. Riding schools are open in Tihany, Keszthely, Santad, Nagyvazsony and others populated areas in the vicinity of Lake Balaton. In addition to restaurants and clubs, on the Balaton coast there are many cozy taverns where guests are treated to spicy Hungarian fish soup, catfish and silver pike perch dishes, the best local wines are poured, and where soul-stirring gypsy music is heard.
Attractions
Let's start our acquaintance with the sights from the Tihany Peninsula - business card this unique reservoir in all respects. It is the largest on Balaton, and the village of the same name is located here. In the center of the peninsula, favored by tourists, there are two of its pearls: the External (Kulsho-to) and Internal (Belsho-to) lakes. Their shores, surrounded by cones of dormant geysers, are covered with reeds and reeds. These lakes are as shallow as Lake Balaton itself. The depth here is 2-3 meters, no more.
The most famous historical monument in Tihany is the Benedictine Abbey of St. Anyosha. This is the oldest monastery in Hungary, founded in 1055. The date is precisely established, since the Latin original of the document has been preserved. The latter is also valuable the oldest monument Hungarian language, since it contains about a hundred Hungarian words. The abbey has preserved ancient carved altars, which are a real work of art.
The territory of Tihany has been declared a conservation area by the government. Well deserved: this piece of land is distinguished not only by its convenient location and geographical features, but also the presence of historical monuments and rare representatives of flora and fauna. And is it any wonder that a whole army of tourists flocks here every year - about a million people every year. In addition to its lakes, the Tihany Peninsula is famous lavender fields, spherical hills formed by geyser springs. There are over a hundred such hills in total, the most beautiful of them, covered with golden lichen, is called the “Golden House”.
In the Middle Ages, the center of the Balaton region was Keszthely, which received the status of a “rural town” at the beginning of the 15th century. Three centuries later, it was acquired by the wealthy Festetics family. They built here magnificent palace- the third largest in the country. At the same time, it is the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in the republic. Count Gyorgy Festetics opened the first agricultural institute on the continent, Georgikon, in Keszthely. A pedestrian street leads from the palace, along which there is the Marzipan Museum with its own confectionery, the equally famous Puppet Museum, as well as restaurants and cafes. The city regularly hosts festivals and concerts.
Behind the mountain of St. Gyorgy hides the small ancient town of Tapolca. True, it is not located directly on the shores of Lake Balaton, but tourists love it. It is here that there is a place that is perceived as another world - the Tapolca Lake Cave. It was formed due to the leaching hot water in the limestone rock there were entire halls and winding corridors, which were then filled with the purest water from karst springs.
On the northern shore, right at the top of the mountain, there is the Kishfaludi observation deck. The panorama of Lake Balaton from here is simply stunning. At least once in a lifetime, this picture created by nature itself is worth seeing. Not forgetting, of course, to take your camera with you.
But on the southern coast there is the world famous village of Balatonendred. Lives here interesting tradition lace weaving, dating back to the beginning of the last century and adopted in Germany. Tourists, especially women, get acquainted with the history of this craft and, of course, learn the basics of the craft with enthusiasm.
In the north of Lake Balaton, near Szigliget, there is a 242-meter high Fortress Mountain. Its summit is crowned by ruins old fortress(hence the name) and village houses covered with reeds. The dwellings are located around the ruins in a semicircle. This rural settlement has preserved the traditional village structure. The historical part of the village is surrounded by a wall.
The attractions of Balaton are not only natural areas, historical monuments, medicinal baths and fishing spots. Wine and gastronomic routes with their unique cellars and restaurants have been preserved since ancient times. After all, the “Hungarian Sea” itself and other lakes in this area are rich in fish, there is a lot of game in the forests, and a variety of fruits are grown in the gardens. As they say, God himself commanded to use all these gifts. Among the wine villages, we can highlight such as Balatonboglar, Szigliget, Badacsony and the same Keszthely. For example, Badacsony wines enjoy legendary fame. The most famous of them are “Keknelu” and “Balatoni Surkebarat”.
A few words about group excursions and their costs. A trip by boat to the Tihany Peninsula will cost about 10 euros (a visit to the abbey is included in the stay program). A trip to Keszthely with a tour of the Festetics Palace without going inside and an excursion to Badacsony with a delicious lunch and tasting of local wines cost the same - about 18 euros. Do you want to take a yacht ride around Lake Balaton? Please. Cost about 14 euros. A stay at the Shumeg fortress, where you can watch a “knightly tournament” and dine in medieval style to the accompaniment of gypsy music, will cost approximately 33 euros. Excursion to Tapolca (the program includes visiting cave lakes and boating) – 17 euros.
How to get there
You can get to Lake Balaton from Budapest, the capital of Hungary, via a modern 115-kilometer two-lane motorway. In the Siófok area it joins the road encircling the lake. You can travel around the famous “Hungarian Sea” in a day (including stops in your favorite places).
A railway was laid along the northern and southern shores, connecting local resorts with Budapest. By train you can get to Siófok in 2 hours, Balatonfüred in 2.5 hours, Keszthely in 3 hours.
Balaton-Sermellek International Airport is located 11 km from Keszthely. Harbour Air accepts flights from many European cities: Berlin, London, Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Zurich. In summer, planes from Moscow, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Hamburg land here.
Beautiful lakes are often compared to jewels. But if small lakes can be compared to rings, then Balaton should rather be called an opal diadem - a wonderful decoration of Hungary. Why opal? Because the water in the lake has an unusual greenish-milky color, reminiscent of noble opal.
Holidays on Lake Balaton became popular back in the 18th century, and by the beginning of the 20th century, dozens of resort towns were lined up along the shore. By now, Balaton has turned into a thriving resort region where people spend family holiday both the Hungarians themselves and the residents neighboring countries. Why not? Summer here is very warm, nature is beautiful, hotels are comfortable, there are even opportunities for balneotherapy treatments.
And these milk rivers and resort banks are much better suited for relaxing with children than other thermal resorts in Hungary. Our article will tell you how to get the most out of your vacation with children at Lake Balaton.
Where is Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Europe, which is located in the western part of Hungary. The distance from Budapest to Balatonfüred is 130 km, to Tihany - 137 km, to Siófok - 104 km, to Balatonföldvár - 120 km, to Fonyod - 154 km, to Keszthely - 187 km. Near the lake are the famous thermal resorts of Heviz and Zalakaros.
Vacation with children
How would you describe Better conditions For summer holiday with kids? Sunny weather, warm but not hot, a well-kept beach, a place for swimming with shallow depths and clean water, and, of course, good hotel with children's animation and several family activities nearby.
Surprisingly, the Balaton resorts exactly correspond to this description. And the weather on the Hungarian Sea (that’s what this lake is called), and tourism infrastructure, and the range of entertainment pleasantly surprise tourists who are accustomed to bask in the resorts of Bulgaria or Greece in the summer.
Family holidays at Lake Balaton has a whole list of advantages. Firstly, the lake is easily accessible from the capital of Hungary. Secondly, you won’t have to adapt to the temperate climate of Balaton; the child will instantly acclimatize to the new place.
Thirdly, unlike thermal lakes, where children are not recommended to swim, Balaton is the most suitable place for swimming: the water is warm, the depth is shallow, the bottom is sandy - can you ask for better?
Fourthly, to relax with a child, it is easy to choose a family hotel with a children's room and a swimming pool for toddlers. Planning a trip with infant, in many hotels you can get everything you need for a vacation with your baby.
If your trip to Hungary is for informational purposes, you should definitely go to Lake Balaton with children. The artless natural beauty of the lake district is in no way inferior to the architectural splendor of Budapest.
When is the best time to go to Lake Balaton?
Unlike the year-round thermal resorts in Hungary, the season at Balaton is short - it lasts from mid-May to mid-September. Despite the fact that the water in the lake will only warm up by July, many tourists from Hungary and neighboring countries come to Lake Balaton during the May holidays.
But the best time to vacation on the Hungarian sea with children is in July-August. At this time, the weather is almost always good, and a beach holiday will be as successful as on the Mediterranean Sea.
Note that a holiday on Lake Balaton in Hungary can be planned in the off-season, since hotels offering treatment and wellness treatments, open all year round.
Weather and climate
The climate of Lake Balaton is temperate continental. This climate characteristic is also characteristic of other regions of Hungary, and yet the weather at Balaton differs from the weather at other resorts in the country. Sometimes the climate on the lake is called Mediterranean, and the reason for this is long warm summers without rain, mild winters and a large number of sunny days a year.
Summer at Lake Balaton lasts from mid-May to the end of September.
The average temperature during this period is +22°C. The warmest months are July and August. At this time, the air temperature reaches +26-28°C. It is characteristic that the water in the lake often has the same temperature.
The most impatient swimmers dive into the lake already in May, although only by the end of the month the water warms up to +19°C. By the end of June the water temperature rises to +25°C, but sometimes it is only about +22°C.
In shallow areas, the water is warmer because it has time to warm up during the day. In July-August, Balaton tries on the laurels of the thermal lake - the water temperature in it rises to +26-27°C. But by the end of summer the lake begins to cool, and at the beginning of September the water has a temperature of +22-23°C. Already in the second ten days of September, only daredevils can swim in the lake.
In winter, temperatures at Lake Balaton sometimes drop below zero. Despite the fact that severe cold does not occur here, in December-February the lake usually freezes, and sometimes the ice thickness reaches 70 cm.
The rainiest period is May-June, and in July-August there is practically no precipitation. But sometimes he interferes with the plans of vacationers strong wind, which causes a storm to rise on the lake. However, there is a meteorological warning system at Balaton, so tourists are notified of the approaching storm in advance.
Things to do
The best news is that at Lake Balaton, unlike neighboring Heviz, you can swim. The beaches are especially good for families with children. south coast lakes. There is a convenient entrance to the water, and depths of more than 1 meter begin only at a distance of 200-300 meters from the coast.
The water in the lake is always clean, although it is not transparent due to the plankton living in the water. And since the beaches are more like parks with playgrounds, you will always find a place to take your child for a walk.
Most beaches are paid, but the entrance fee includes the use of sun loungers and parasols, modern changing cabins, showers and toilets. However, on demon paid beaches Cleanliness is maintained, access to the water is equipped, but such a range of services as on paid beaches cannot be found there.
Most big beach island is located in Siófok.
More precisely, it is a series of beaches stretching for 17 km. The peculiarity of the coastal strip is that it is not covered with sand or pebbles, but is sown with grass. A paved pedestrian path runs along the shore itself, and piers were built every 50-100 meters to descend into the lake.
This is not very convenient for swimming with small children, but given the shallow depth, you can go down and splash with your child in the shallow water a few meters from the shore.
Balatonfüred beach is also long. Here you can find areas with a gentle entrance to the lake and a descent by stairs, as in Siófok. The bottom drops quite quickly, so it is not convenient to swim everywhere in Balatonfüred with little ones who do not yet know how to swim.
The most respectable beaches of the resort are Esterhazy and Kisfaludi. Even if you did not bring children's toys, your child will not get bored on these beaches, as they will be able to play on the playground, swim in the children's pool and take part in entertainment programs.
But the most children's beach is located in the village of Denesdias near Keszthely. Here, on the shores of Lake Balaton, there are playgrounds, a giant water slide, and fields for sports games.
Next to the beach is the Spiderland children's adventure park. You can also visit the neighboring village of Vonyarcvashegy, where there is a swimming pool for children on the shore, and animators work with the kids on the playground.
To Balaton's credit, dozens of its beaches have been awarded blue flag for cleanliness and safety of rest. Several beaches of Siófok, Balatonfüred, Balatonföldvár, Keszthely, Zanka, Denesdiás, Vonyarzvárzhedya and other resorts of the lake are included in the list of those awarded annually.
If your child is experienced tourist If you know what a beach holiday can come with, visit Balatonfüred. This perfect place for children: out of 11 pools, 4 are designed specifically for young guests.
But teenagers will also have fun in the Balatonfüred water park - 12 crazy slopes await them, the names of which alone will excite the blood. Although most of the attractions are located under open air, you can swim regardless of the weather, since the water in the adult pools is heated to +25°C, and in the children's and relaxation pools - up to +32°C. The water park also has a small indoor area.
Note that the plans include the construction of the largest water park in Hungary at Lake Balaton. In the meantime, you can diversify your impression by going to the center water activities Zalakaros (98 km from Siófok). The children's area there is wonderfully decorated, and there are indoor and outdoor play pools for kids.
Outdoor activities
Meanwhile, the Balaton resorts have plenty of other entertainment. If you want to spend time with your children fresh air, at your service - rope park in Balatonfured. To the usual tracks laid between trees a few meters from the ground, children's trampolines have been added here, Board games and a couple of unusual family entertainments.
Another rope park, Zánkaland, is located in the town of Zanka. And in the town of Balatonfüzfö there is a large one, the main highlight of which is the bobsleigh tracks with various special effects.
In addition to them, the park has rope courses, a climbing wall, trolleys, several extreme rides and a huge children's playground, admission to which is free. The park in Balatonfüzfö is open all year round and will be a great help if you are going to relax at Balaton in spring or autumn.
And the town of Nemeshvita is famous for the fact that a corner of the Wild West has appeared in it. The WesternPark entertainment center for children includes various attractions, performances with cowboys and Indians, and inflatable water slides, which even the local sheriff likes to ride from.
But Siófok has gained fame as the greenest city on Lake Balaton. The Petofi promenade along the lake, the Jokai and Oulu parks, and the fragrant “Rose Garden” are filled with tourists strolling around from morning to evening. picturesque places. And if you want to admire the city, take a sightseeing train that will take you through the elegant streets.
There is a similar road train in Balatonfüred. But the main place for walking at this resort is Tagore's promenade. The green zone, which stretches along the coast, often becomes the venue for holidays and festivals. And children really like to play with the jets of a dry fountain (it is so named only because it does not have a bowl, and the nozzles supplying water are located flush with the ground).
Educational holiday on the lake
Also, when relaxing with your child at Lake Balaton, be sure to go on a water excursion. For example, from Siófok you can only get to by water.
This is a nature reserve with geysers, lavender fields, Ovar caves and lakes inhabited by waterfowl. People come to Tihany to listen to the special echo and get acquainted with the dishes of traditional Hungarian cuisine, for the preparation of which only local products are used.
Among the educational entertainments we recommend in Balatonfured. It presents the species of fish and plants inhabiting the lake. You can also go to the town of Veszprem, where there is a small zoo. You will find another one where mainly pets live in Keszthely.
Let us add that many hotels make sure that the family vacation is complete. They offer games and activities that are interesting to the child, and the hotels also have children's animators.
What to see
Are there museums at Lake Balaton? There are, and we will definitely tell you about them. But it’s better to postpone trips to museums for a gloomy and rainy day, and in good weather it’s worth traveling around the lake and admiring the natural attractions.
Masterpieces of nature
The territory of the Balaton Upland National Park stretches along the northern shore of Lake Balaton. These are the mountains among which there are extinct volcanoes, these are basalt pillars resembling organ pipes, these are caves with underground lakes and plants that survived the Ice Age.
One of largest caves convenient to visit if you are on holiday in Balatonfüred: located next to the resort. The microclimate of the underground corridors is considered healing, so the cave is even equipped with health rooms.
And to be even more surprised, visit with a tour. You will sail a boat through flooded labyrinths and try to find the right words to describe the color of the water and walls.
Tihany's Ovar Caves are also interesting. Traces of a site of primitive people were found in them - you can show your child cave paintings, albeit not as famous as in the Spanish caves of Nerja and Altamira.
After the beautiful and at the same time frightening underground views, an excursion to the Schalfeld estate, where traditional Hungarian farm animals - sheep and buffaloes - will help restore balance.
And if you drive towards Lake Kish-Balaton, you can get to. On protected area, created to increase the number of horned giants, other domestic animals also live well.
Not far from the reserve there is another famous attraction of Hungary - the largest thermal lake in Europe, Heviz. But, in addition to its medicinal properties, the lake is interesting because lotuses have taken root on it. The bottom of the lake is covered with black peat mud, and on its surface there are white and soft pink flowers - exactly as the Japanese proverb says: “The lotus grows from mud, but it remains clean.”
Historical objects
We recommend including ancient fortresses in the list of what to see with children in Lake Balaton. One of them is located right on the shores of Lake Balaton, in the town of Szigliget. The fortress is partially destroyed, which does not prevent knightly festivals from being held here.
Where to stay
The answer to the question of where to stay at Lake Balaton with children depends only on your preferences and the age of the child. In general, we can say that in each resort city there are many hotels of different categories, apart-hotels, boarding houses, guesthouses, campsites, villas and houses for rent.
The main resorts of the lake are Balatonfured and Siófok. Both are positioned as family-friendly, but quiet and respectable Balatonfüred is more suitable for holidays with children, and noisy Siófok with a lot of youth entertainment is worth choosing for holidays with teenagers.
Note that they are in different areas Balaton, and this affects the characteristics coastline. In Balatonfüred the shore is somewhat steep, the depth of the lake increases quickly. In Siófok the coast is flat, shallow water stretches tens of meters from the beach.
Another argument is vacation plans. To travel more around the surroundings of Balaton, it is more convenient to settle in Balatonfüred, since many attractions are located on the northern shore. Siofok is more suitable for beach holiday with a minimum number of excursions.
There are practically no five-star hotels on Balaton, but hotels with 4 or 3 stars on the facade are distinguished by a high level of service. It is important that many hotels are focused on family vacations, so when vacationing with a child, you can get a lot of useful services, including taking advantage of the children's menu in the restaurant.
Different food systems can be offered, up to “full board” and “all inclusive”. These systems are convenient if you are going to Lake Balaton in the off-season, when many restaurants close.
Renting an apartment is somewhat cheaper than a hotel room. Since there are many restaurants and grocery supermarkets in large resorts, you will not have problems with what to feed a child of any age. We recommend paying attention to whether the housing is located near highways.
The cheapest option, but one that promises several benefits, is to stay at a campsite. There are few amenities there (showers, toilets, grocery store), but the campsites are located right on the shores of Lake Balaton and have their own equipped beaches.
It is typical that you can almost always find accommodation at Lake Balaton, even if you arrive in the summer without prior reservation. But it’s better to look for good holiday accommodation near Balaton in advance, so as not to go to the beach from afar with your child. In addition, when early booking more chances get a discount on accommodation.
How to get there
By plane
The closest airports to the lake are Budapest and Heviz-Balaton. You can get to Budapest by plane from many countries, and from there you can take a train or bus to any resort on Lake Balaton. Mostly planes from Germany arrive at Heviz-Balaton Airport; flights from Moscow and Prague have recently been added. From this airport to the holiday destination you can only get by taxi or by booking in advance private transfer. Information about carriers is available on the official website of Lake Balaton.
By train
From Budapest South Station (Delhi) there are direct trains to Siófok, Balatonfured and some others resort towns Balaton. There are also several trains departing in the direction of Lake Balaton. East Station(Keleti). Travel time is about 2 hours.
By bus
Volanbusz buses go from Nepliget bus station in Budapest to Lake Balaton. Travel time is about 2.5 hours. You can pre-order tickets on the website. Children under 6 years old travel free of charge, children 6-14 years old receive a 50% discount. There is also a good bus connection between the towns of Lake Balaton. Timetable: http://www.volanbusz.hu/en/timetable/inter-urban-services.
By car
The answer to the question of how to get to Balaton depends on the vacation spot. From Budapest in the direction of Lake Balaton there is the E71 (M7) highway. It goes around the lake from the south. The resorts of the southern coast are connected by road No. 7, the resorts of the northern coast - by road No. 71. The distance from Budapest to the nearest resort of Balatonvilagos is 93 km, to the most remote resort of Keszthely - 187 km.
By boat
You can travel between Balaton resorts by boat. The schedule and cost can be found on the website: http://www.balatonihajozas.hu/.
Holidays on Lake Balaton are a rather vague concept. Scattered along all the shores of the fresh “Hungarian Sea” are attractive resort towns and small villages. And sometimes it is very difficult for tourists to decide on the most suitable place for a long-awaited or spontaneous vacation. The choice is especially difficult when you simultaneously want to enjoy swimming in clean and warm lake water, admire the picturesque landscapes of the coast, and visit healing springs and vineyards with their romantic and mysterious atmosphere. Unfortunately, you most likely won’t be able to enjoy all this wealth of Lake Balaton by staying in one place for the entire holiday. So travelers will still have to make a choice between the North and South coasts of the lake.
South coast of Lake Balaton
South part resort region Lake Balaton is ideal for families with children. The beaches of this coast attract holidaymakers with their velvety sand, slowly deepening sandy bottom and continuous beach strip from Balatonberen to Balatonlelle. Those wishing to relax at the local resorts can stay in family-type holiday villages , literally stepping on each other and, in the end, merging into a single residential area. The villages have small parks, well-equipped beaches, grocery stores and cozy cafes with large selection dishes of Hungarian cuisine. Well-equipped country houses are rented for a few days or for the whole summer. Most of them are located very close to the lake - at a distance of 500 to 1500 meters. Most often, the houses have everything you need for a comfortable stay: a furnished living room and bedroom, a kitchen with modern appliances (stove, oven, microwave), a bathroom and a separate toilet. The area near the house is often small, but it has a barbecue area, a children's playground with a sandbox, swings and a small inflatable pool, and a couple of sun loungers.
Daily accommodation in a house for one family of four people costs from 35 to 50 euros. The cost of an overnight stay is affected by the distance of the country house from the beach, the presence of a dishwasher, washing machine, and air conditioning. In some houses, the use of air conditioning is only possible for an additional fee.
- Find such cozy ones holiday villages possible in Balatonsarso, Balatonföldvár and Balatonlele.
Not a bad place for budget holiday for several days or even weeks it may become western outskirts southern shore of Lake Balaton. Here lies a large and relatively ancient settlement of Fonyod. With its unusual location on a hill and framed by convenient beaches, the city attracts the attention of travelers from afar. Fonyod is no less interesting inside. The central part of the city is bustling with life around the clock, and the most popular corner of the resort is the beautiful marina.
- Tourists can stay in Fonyod in a cozy room in a three-star hotel, paying from 40 euros for a double room, or they can rent a small separate apartment with three bedrooms for only 60 euros.
For unpretentious tourists, campsites are open on the southern coast of Lake Balaton, and for lovers of comfort there are star hotels, hotels with swimming pools and luxury apartments. Tourists can become a guest of a comfortable hotel in the summer capital of Lake Balaton – musical city of Siófok. This resort is ideal for youth recreation. In Siófok, tourists can expect a vibrant and rich entertainment program. During the day, you can enjoy active recreation on the local beaches, and when darkness falls, the fun moves to nightclubs and lively discos.
- For an overnight stay in Siófok, you can look for a suite in four star hotel in the very center of the city or an economy option in a clean but starless hostel. True, the hostel will be located just 50 meters from the beach and accommodation will cost 20 euros. As for an overnight stay in a designer suite, it will cost at least 80 euros and will be far beyond the means of “pilgrimage” youth.
Northern coast of Lake Balaton
Those wishing to relax on the northern shore of the lake will find a wide choice major resorts and decent entertainment program. Tourists who prefer to go here should go leisure . Travelers can do things here fishing or yachting. Almost all resorts on the northern coast of Lake Balaton offer horseback riding and cycling tours.
- In the northern environs of Lake Balaton you can stay in comfortable top-class hotels, reputable holiday homes and inexpensive hostels.
Those who decided to relax in camping will be pleasantly surprised by the services provided and good conditions. The campsites are often located in picturesque areas and welcome tourists with legendary Hungarian hospitality. But during the peak summer holiday period it is not always easy to find free places in a decent campsite. Therefore, it is better to take care of such a budget overnight stay in advance.
There is a good campsite in the city Balatonfured. It is spread over 21 hectares of picturesque terrain. On the campsite there are several buildings with individual showers, a large laundry room, an equipped common kitchen, and a swimming pool. Travelers can stay overnight in tents, bungalows or houses designed to accommodate from 2 to 8 people. Moreover, each house has a kitchen with a full set of utensils, an individual shower room and toilet. Tourists who do not want to cook their own food can have lunch and dinner in cafes and restaurants operating on the campsite. Since the campsite is located right on the shores of Lake Balaton, there are few people who want to swim in the pool. Everyone's warm sunny days tourists can spend on sandy beach. For children, there is a playground with slides and swings on the sand. And since on the northern coast of the lake the depth is found at a short distance from the shore, a separate children's beach is equipped for young guests of the campsite.
The cost of a camping holiday depends on the housing option you like. Daily rental of a six-person tent will cost on average 17 euros, and for an overnight stay in a comfortable house you will have to pay 80 euros (the price for the entire house).
