Hungary · Transdanubia
Lake Balaton travel guide
Central Europe's largest lake, with beaches, vineyards and summer festivals
Lake Balaton from Tihany. Photo: txd, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Balaton is Hungary's summer playground, a huge, shallow lake with warm water that's great for families. The south shore has busy resorts such as Siófok, while the north shore is hillier, with vineyards and the abbey on the Tihany peninsula.
At the western end, Hévíz has a thermal lake you can swim in all year.
What Lake Balaton is known for
- Warm water
Shallow and family-friendly.
- North-shore wine
Vineyards on volcanic hills.
- Tihany Abbey
Views over the lake.
- Hévíz
A warm lake to swim in.
Top things to do in Lake Balaton
Where to stay in Lake Balaton
Best time to visit Lake Balaton
Best value: May, Sep. June to August: warm water and long, sunny days.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 2h 15m from London to BUD, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?
Trains run from Budapest to both shores. Ferries cross the lake in summer.
Good to know
- Most beaches charge a small entry fee.
- The north shore is better for wine and scenery.
- Book ahead for July and August weekends.
Lake Balaton FAQ
How far is Balaton from Budapest?
About 1.5 hours.
Is Lake Balaton good for children?
Yes, it's shallow and warm.
More places in Hungary
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