Introducing Lake Balaton
High season in Lake Balaton is July and August; crowds descend and prices skyrocket. If you're keen to enjoy the water activities but don't want the crowds, try to visit in June or September – the water is still warm (versus a bathtub-like 28 to 29 degrees in the heat of summer) yet everything is still open and it feels summery – without the intense humidity.
Outside of the high season it's easy to show up without a reservation and wing it, though you'll probably need to settle on midrange or above options. If you arrive in the Lake Balaton area without a hotel booked and you are keen to find budget accommodation, your best bet is to keep an eye out for signs saying ‘szoba kiadó’ or ‘Zimmer frei’ (Hungarian and German, respectively, for ‘room for rent’). In many cases you have the option of renting a room in a private home or an entire apartment in an old villa.
Activities in Lake Balaton
Keszthely
Keszthely, a city of grand town houses perched at the very western end of Lake Balaton, is hands-down one of the loveliest spots to stay, far removed from the tourist hot spots on the lake.
Balatonfüred
Balatonfüred is not only the oldest resort on the Balaton’s northern shore, it’s also the most fashionable.
Lake Balaton destination guides
Tihany
The place with the greatest historical significance on Lake Balaton is Tihany, a peninsula jutting 5km into the lake.
Hotels in Lake Balaton
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Lake Balaton
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Lake Balaton
Apartments in Lake Balaton
Tapolca
This pleasant town has a particularly fine setting wedged between the Balaton Highlands and the Southern Bakony Hills some 14km northeast of Badacsony.
Need to know
Entertainment in Lake Balaton
Badacsony
Badacsony is a conglomeration of four towns: Badacsonylábdihegy, Badacsonyörs, Badacsonytördemic and Badacsonytomaj.
Shopping in Lake Balaton