Lake Balaton

Introducing Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, often called the 'Hungarian Sea', is the country's substitute for a coastline, a place where many locals (and Germans) escape Europe's summer heat. At 78km long, 15km across at its widest point and covering 600 sq km, it's Europe's largest body of fresh water and an aqua-playground big enough to cater to most holiday-makers.

The lake itself is a tale of two shores. Its southern coast is essentially only long resorts: from Siófok to Fonyód you'll find high-rise hotels, small sandy beaches jammed with sun worshippers, tacky stalls selling imitation wares and greasy lángos (deep-fried treats), and clubs attracting international DJs and night-crawlers. Here the water is shallowest and safest for kids (the lake's depth averages only 3m and the temperature is 26°C May to October).

Its northern side is as refined as its southern is brash, with pretty towns such as Keszthely, Badacsony and Balatonfüred catering to a more mature crowd looking for some quiet respite alongside splashing about in the sun. Tihany, a unique peninsula cutting the lake almost in half, is home to an important historical church and some of Balaton's deepest beaches while the thermal lake at Hévíz (Europe's largest) is a natural wonder. Hills create a backdrop to the north's reedy beaches, and vineyards, woods, castles and hiking trails all vie for their rightful land space. Easy day trips from the lake include historic towns such as Veszprém and Székesfehérvár, where seminal moments at the very beginning of Magyar settlement took place.

Balaton won't appeal to everyone's tastes with its shallow, silky waters, but when its surface appears a kaleidoscope of colours, changing shades before your very eyes, it's easy to fall under its hypnotic spell like so many artists and holiday-makers have over the centuries.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009