The Secret of Hungary: The Lake That Offers Everything – Relaxation, Nature, History, and Fine Wine

Are you looking for a new and exciting place for your next vacation? Balaton in Hungary, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, is the place for you.

The scenery around this beautiful lake and the many attractions make it a perfect vacation destination. Most of the lake's beaches are covered with grass, sand, or natural rocks, and many resorts have artificial sandy beaches with access to the water via stairs.

What to do at the lake and its surroundings?

Lake Balaton offers a variety of attractions and activities for all tastes and desires. Here are our recommendations:

For Sailing and Water Sports Enthusiasts

The lake features various types of sailing, ranging from speedboats to leisurely cruises with
attractions and scenic views. Speedboats can be rented for sailing along fixed routes in the northern and southern parts of the lake. Organized group cruises last one or two hours and include tours such as the Badacsony sunset tour or star tour. Additionally, every night, there is a party boat on the lake featuring colorful lights, DJs, dancing, contemporary hits, and drinks until the early hours of the morning.

For Nature and Scenery Lovers: The Lake and its Surroundings

Filled with stunning hiking trails, coves, and towering peaks. One of the places not to miss is the Bujdók stairs. Although it requires climbing 464 basalt steps, the breathtaking view from the top compensates for the effort.

For Relaxation and Sunbathing: The Resorts

The main resorts around the lake are Siófok, Keszthely, and Balatonfüred, another resort town on the southern shore. In 'Siófok,' there is a beach area of 2,000 square meters, a sunbathing area with palm trees, and deck chairs scattered along the beach. 'Keszthely' is home to the 'Festetics' palace, while 'Balatonfüred' is a historic spa town with a long-standing tradition.

Lake Balaton in Balatonfüred/ Shutterstock

For Swimming Fans

The lake hosts professional and amateur competitions spanning 5.2 kilometers, and there is also a special beach in Fonyod happily welcoming vacationers with dogs.

For History Enthusiasts

The city of Keszthely is known for the 'Festetics' palace, as the 'Festetics' family moved to Hungary in the 18th century and settled in this French-style baroque palace surrounded by gardens, flower beds, and fountains. The palace has 34 rooms over two floors and features neoclassical furnishings and the largest library in the country. The medieval town of Tihany, the oldest in the area, is located on the northern shore of the lake, at the tip of a peninsula, offering a breathtaking view of the turquoise valley. At the town's summit is a baroque monastery, brick towers, and its streets are paved with stone on a hill. The intriguing town boasts unique lavender ice cream and stunning panoramas.

Photo: Shutterstock

For Wine Lovers

Badacsony is a volcanic hill and wine-growing region where you can taste excellent Hungarian wines, complemented by delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere in harmony. In recent years, young people have transformed the area into a vibrant and cool meeting place. Around Lake Balaton, there are volcanic hills covered with mineral-rich soil, providing the best foundation for vineyards. The surrounding vineyards, winding streams, and lavender fields create an idyllic landscape surrounding Badacsony, one of Hungary's major wine-growing regions, which has been popular since Roman times.

Photo: Shutterstock

For Food Lovers

Many visitors who have been to the lake years ago think of the Hungarian 'Langos', a deep-fried dough resembling pita with various fillings. However, in recent years, there has been a real gastronomic revolution in the area. Not only have restaurants opened, but various popular food festivals have also been held here, such as the street food festival in 'Keszthely', featuring all the restaurants and cafes involved in street food in the area. It is also worth visiting here for the accompanying music and dance events.

How to Get to Lake Balaton?

The easiest way to get to Balaton is through Budapest, the capital of Hungary, which is flooded with direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport – just a two and a half-hour flight. From there, you can continue by car or by train – a distance of about one and a half to two hours, depending on the specific destination around the lake.

Alternatively, the Israeli travel company Overseas, in cooperation with Arkia, is expected to launch a direct flight route to the town of Hévíz, located near the western shore of the lake – which will allow fast, direct, and convenient access to the heart of the Balaton resort area.

For more recommendations on destinations that combine cruises and sailing, visit PassportCruise