Lake Balaton
5
Day Itinerary •
Hungary
Five days at Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, takes you around the most extraordinary inland lake in Hungary. Lake Balaton stretches 77km from east to west and has the finest combination of thermal waters, remarkable wine country, extraordinary volcanic hill landscape on the northern shore and the outstanding fine sand beaches of the southern shore that makes it Hungary's favourite summer destination. This route covers the complete Lake Balaton experience. The extraordinary Tihany Peninsula with its remarkable Benedictine abbey, the fine Balatonfured spa town, the outstanding Badacsony volcanic wine country, the remarkable Keszthely with its Festetics Palace, the extraordinary Thermal Lake of Heviz, the fine Siofok and the outstanding cycle path around the entire lake.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for swimming, September for wine harvest
Getting There
Train from Budapest to Balatonfured, 2 hours
Getting Around
Rental car or cycling along the lake path
Budget Per Day
Approx 15,000 to 35,000 HUF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, cycling and walking
DAY 1
TIHANY AND BALATONFURED
MORNING
TIHANY PENINSULA AND BENEDICTINE ABBEY
Tihany, the extraordinary volcanic peninsula jutting 5km into Lake Balaton, is the finest destination on the northern shore. The remarkable Benedictine Abbey founded in 1055, the oldest surviving Hungarian royal foundation, perches on the hill above the most outstanding view of the lake and the Badacsony volcanic mountains. The extraordinary lavender fields of Tihany in June and July, the fine echo path and the remarkable Inner Lake in the volcanic crater are all outstanding. Entry abbey approx 1,800 HUF. Travel: 2 hours from Budapest
MIDDAY
TIHANY VILLAGE AND INNER LAKE
Tihany village below the abbey, the most extraordinary fishing village on Lake Balaton with its remarkable traditional fishermen's houses and outstanding lavender products, is the finest small settlement on the lake. The remarkable Inner Lake in the volcanic crater above the village, ringed by extraordinary reeds and with the finest birdlife on the lake, and the outstanding walking path around it are both remarkable. The fine Tihany ferry connects the peninsula to Siofok. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
BALATONFURED SPA TOWN
Balatonfured, the finest spa town on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, has the most extraordinary promenade of any Hungarian lake resort. The remarkable Tagore Promenade along the lake, named after the Indian poet who recovered his health here, the outstanding Anna Ball tradition since 1825 and the fine thermal spring at Gyogy Ter are all remarkable. The extraordinary view of Tihany across the water from the Balatonfured pier is outstanding. Free.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tihany lavender fields in bloom from late June to late July, the most remarkable sight on the Balaton peninsula, produce the finest lavender products in Hungary. The outstanding path through the lavender above the lake is the finest walk in Tihany. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Budapest or en route cafe Good breakfast before the Balatonfured train. | Lunch: Tihany Abbey restaurant Outstanding Hungarian lake fish and lavender honey in the abbey village. | Dinner: Balatonfured promenade restaurant The finest lakeside dining on the northern shore.
DAY 2
BADACSONY VOLCANIC WINE COUNTRY
MORNING
BADACSONY WINE COUNTRY
Badacsony, the most extraordinary volcanic wine region in Hungary, rises from the lake shore in a remarkable basalt cone covered with exceptional vineyards. The fine wines of Badacsony, particularly the outstanding Keknyelu, the rarest indigenous Hungarian white grape grown almost exclusively here, and the remarkable Szurkebarát and Olaszrizling are the finest on the lake. The extraordinary view from the Badacsony summit over the entire lake is outstanding. Tasting approx 2,000 HUF. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
BADACSONY SUMMIT WALK
The walk from Badacsony village up through the extraordinary basalt organ pipe formations to the remarkable viewpoint at the top of the volcanic cone is the finest hike on the northern Balaton shore. The extraordinary basalt columns, the outstanding views of the lake from the summit platform and the remarkable descent through the vineyard landscape give the finest combination of geology, landscape and wine in one walk. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SZIGLIGET CASTLE AND VILLAGE
Szigliget, the extraordinary volcanic hill topped with remarkable medieval castle ruins between Badacsony and Keszthely, is the most dramatic hilltop site on Lake Balaton. The fine ruined castle, the outstanding view of the lake from the walls, the remarkable traditional village below and the fine Esterhazy manor are all outstanding. The extraordinary combination of the castle ruins, the lake below and the Badacsony volcanic cone behind is the finest panorama on the northern shore. Entry approx 1,000 HUF.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kisfaludy House wine cellar in Badacsony, where the poet Sandor Kisfaludy and his wife Rosa Szegedy are said to have carved their names in the wine press stone, is the most romantic spot in the Hungarian wine country. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Balatonfured hotel Good breakfast before the Badacsony drive. | Lunch: Badacsony wine cellar lunch Outstanding Badacsony white wine with Hungarian food at the winery. | Dinner: Keszthely arrival Move to Keszthely for the western lake base.
DAY 3
KESZTHELY AND HEVIZ
MORNING
KESZTHELY AND FESTETICS PALACE
Keszthely at the western end of Lake Balaton has the most extraordinary Baroque palace in the Balaton region. The Festetics Palace, built in 1745 and expanded to 101 rooms in 1883 by the remarkable Festetics family, has the outstanding Helikon Library, the finest Baroque library room in Hungary, and the remarkable collection of hunting trophies, armour and family portraits. The extraordinary park surrounding the palace is the finest in western Hungary. Entry approx 4,000 HUF. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
KESZTHELY OLD TOWN AND LAKE SHORE
Keszthely's remarkable old town, with its fine Baroque church, the outstanding Georgikon agricultural school founded by Count Festetics in 1797, the first in Hungary, and the remarkable pedestrian centre, is the finest town on Lake Balaton. The extraordinary Keszthely beach and the fine lake promenade are both outstanding. The remarkable view of the open lake from the western shore and the outstanding Balaton Museum are both fine. Museum entry approx 1,500 HUF. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
HEVIZ THERMAL LAKE
The Heviz Thermal Lake, 6km from Keszthely, is the largest biologically active thermal lake in the world and the most extraordinary natural attraction in western Hungary. The remarkable 38-degree lake, fed by a subterranean spring with a complete water replacement every 72 hours, allows bathing even in winter when the extraordinary steam rises from the warm surface. The outstanding pink lotus flowers on the lake in summer are remarkable. Entry approx 3,500 HUF.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Csopakon wine village on the northern Balaton shore between Balatonfured and Badacsony has the finest small winery culture on the lake, with remarkable cellar door tastings at extraordinary prices. Free to explore.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Keszthely hotel or guesthouse Good breakfast in the finest town on Lake Balaton. | Lunch: Keszthely palace cafe Traditional Hungarian lunch in the palace gardens. | Dinner: Heviz spa hotel restaurant Outstanding western Hungarian cuisine near the thermal lake.
DAY 4
SOUTHERN SHORE AND CYCLING
MORNING
SOUTHERN SHORE AND SIOFOK
Siofok, the largest resort on the southern shore of Lake Balaton and the nightlife capital of Hungary in summer, has the finest sandy beach on the lake and the most extraordinary water temperature of any Hungarian lake. The remarkable golden sand stretching for kilometres, the outstanding beach bars and the fine view of the Tihany peninsula across the water make it the finest beach day on the southern shore. Free. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
FONYOD AND BADACSONYTOMAJ FERRY
The ferry crossing from the southern shore to Badacsonytomaj on the extraordinary volcanic northern shore is the finest lake crossing on Balaton. The remarkable view of the Badacsony volcanic cone approaching from the water and the outstanding panorama of both shores visible from the ferry give the finest perspective on Lake Balaton. The fine Fonyod hill on the southern shore with its castle ruins is remarkable. Ferry approx 1,200 HUF. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BALATON CYCLE PATH
The Lake Balaton cycle path encircles the entire 210km lake and is the finest cycling route in Hungary. The remarkable section between Balatonfured and Tihany on the northern shore, through the extraordinary volcanic landscape and past the fine wine villages, is the finest stretch. Cycling the lake is the best way to experience the remarkable contrast between the volcanic northern shore and the flat southern beach shore. Bike hire approx 3,500 HUF.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Balatonalmadi, a fine smaller resort between Balatonfured and Veszprem with the most remarkable red sandstone church on the Balaton shore and the finest small beach of the northern coast, is the most charming resort on the lake. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Keszthely or Siofok hotel Good breakfast before the southern shore drive. | Lunch: Siofok beach bar Simple lakeside lunch on the finest sandy beach in Hungary. | Dinner: Northern shore wine village Excellent Balaton wine dinner on the remarkable volcanic shore.
DAY 5
VESZPREM AND HEREND
MORNING
VESZPREM HISTORIC CASTLE TOWN
Veszprem, 15km north of Lake Balaton, is the most extraordinary historic hill town in the Balaton region. The remarkable Castle Hill with its outstanding Baroque Bishop's Palace, the fine Firewatch Tower and the extraordinary view of the Bakony hills and Lake Balaton from the castle ramparts are all outstanding. The remarkable Veszprem Barokk theatre and the fine medieval and Baroque architecture of the Castle Quarter make it the finest town near the lake. Entry castle area free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
HEREND PORCELAIN FACTORY
The Herend Porcelain Factory, 15km from Veszprem and the finest porcelain manufacturer in Hungary since 1826, produces the most extraordinary hand-painted porcelain in Central Europe. The remarkable factory tour showing the extraordinary craftsmanship, the outstanding museum and the fine shop with the most beautiful Herend pieces at factory prices are all remarkable. The extraordinary Herend porcelain, used by royalty and heads of state across Europe, is the finest Hungarian craft product. Entry approx 2,200 HUF. Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO BUDAPEST
Return to Budapest through the extraordinary Bakony hills, perhaps stopping at the remarkable Szekesfehervár, the ancient Hungarian royal coronation town with its outstanding ruins of the medieval basilica where Hungarian kings were crowned for 500 years. The fine Cathedral and the remarkable Garden of Ruins in the city centre are both outstanding. Return to Budapest for departure. Free to visit the garden.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bakonybel Benedictine monastery in the Bakony hills above Lake Balaton, founded in 1037 and still an active monastery, has the most remarkable forest setting and the finest baroque church in the Bakony. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Balaton hotel Good breakfast before the Veszprem drive. | Lunch: Veszprem Castle Quarter cafe Traditional Hungarian lunch in the finest hill town near the lake. | Dinner: Budapest return or hotel Farewell to the finest lake in Central Europe.
Where To Stay
Balatonfured, Nights 1 to 2 The finest northern shore spa town. Approx 15,000 to 30,000 HUF per night. Keszthely, Nights 3 to 4 Western lake base with palace. Approx 12,000 to 25,000 HUF per night. Siofok option Southern shore beach resort, busier. Approx 12,000 to 25,000 HUF per night.
Top Tips
1. Tihany lavender is best in late June and July. The fields above the abbey are extraordinary.
2. The Badacsony Keknyelu grape is unique to this volcano. Buy a bottle direct from the winery.
3. The Heviz Thermal Lake is open year round. Winter bathing with steam rising is extraordinary.
4. The Festetics Palace Helikon Library is the finest Baroque library in Hungary. Book ahead.
5. The lake cycle path is 210km and fully marked. Rent bikes in Balatonfured or Keszthely.
6. Book Balaton accommodation at least 6 weeks ahead in July and August. It fills completely.
Total Budget
18,500 to 43,000 HUF/day