Lake Balaton

Surrounded by vineyards, volcanoes and hot spring spa resorts, Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Europe, is a perfect example of unretouched beauty in western Hungary. attracts sun-seeking tourists, food enthusiasts, music lovers and water sports enthusiasts from neighboring countries. Although not widely known to tourists, it is a great year-round destination to combine with a visit to Budapest, which is only a 90-minute drive away.

Known as the Hungarian Sea, the water in Lake Balaton has an average temperature in the summer months of about 25 degrees Celsius, and the safe shallow waters make it a great destination for tourists. families. Many lakeside resorts offer kids artificial sands, playgrounds, sports fields, and paddle boats. To the north of the lake are long-established resorts such as Balatonfüred and Balatonalmádi, where visitors can relax on grassy shores by the water, while the south has a more party atmosphere with many lively clubs in resort towns such as Siófok and man-made beaches in Fonyód and Balatonelelle. In winter, when the surface of the lake freezes thick enough, it becomes an ideal spot for ice skating.

Visitors can explore Lake Balaton by bicycle without encountering any road traffic. A wide road encircles the entire lake along a path that covers 93 miles of shoreline. There are rental shops in the major resorts and many stops along the way to buy drinks, ice cream and traditional Hungarian beach food like fried fish and langos (a savory donut topped with sour cream). For those looking for an easier ride, head to the south side of the lake, where the bike path is flatter.

Summer music festivals such as Balaton Sound (one of Europe's largest outdoor music festivals, with bungee jumping and boat parties) and VeszprémFest (an open-air concert held in surrounding venues) the beautiful cobblestone town of Veszprém) attracts many international performers and large crowds. An annual festival in Kapolcs, Valley of the Arts, is held at the end of July and turns the normally dormant village into a showcase for local artists. With 1,500 events in 10 days, it's one of Balaton's special experiences. Also, founded by the team behind Budapest's legendary Sziget Festival, Balaton Sound is one of Europe's largest outdoor electronic music festivals. The five-day event takes place in Zamárdi on the south shore of the lake and the venue features floating bars, food carts, camping areas and relaxation areas with hammocks and bean bags. Attendees can swim and sunbathe during the day and dance with big-name DJs at night. Previous artists include Tiësto and David Guetta.

• Szigliget Fort: On the north shore of Lake Balaton lies the scenic town of Szigliget, home to one of the most powerful castles in Hungary. Built on the Várhegy hill, Szigliget Castle is more than 242 meters high and contains a medieval fortress built by order of a Benedictine monastery around the 13th century. The fortress has been attacked several times. What is seen today are the ruins of the castle that protected the area from Mongol and Turkish invasions.

• Vineyards: North of Lake Balaton is the main viticulture region, especially around Badacsony, where the fertile soil contains volcanic rock and is rich in minerals. The Cisterian monks planted the first vines in Badacsony in the 14th century and the Pinot Gris grape growing in what area is still known as Szürkebarát (gray monk). Many hillside vineyards organize tours and wine tastings in the cellar. Highlights can be mentioned Laposa Birtok, which has a large terrace overlooking the lake; and Homola, a family-run winery in Paloznak that specializes in tastings paired with snacks and live music events. Every August is Wine Week at Balatonfüred, an event that showcases around 250 different wines from the region.

• Pannonhalma Archabbey Monastery: One of the largest territorial abbeys in the world, the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey is a hilltop monastic settlement that dominates the entire landscape around it. Monks settled here around 996, playing a central role in the spread of Christianity in Europe. Still in operation today, the monastery includes the Chapel of Our Lady, a resplendent basilica, a baroque building and an impressive library dating back to the 13th century.

• Tihany Town: On the northern shore of Lake Balaton is the oldest medieval town in the region. Tihany sits proudly on the tip of the peninsula, the center of the entire panorama of the turquoise lake valley. The Baroque monastery – built on top of the old Medieval castle and the three-headed monastery founded by King Andrew I of Hungary – is like a crown of hilltops. It features brickwork, royal catacombs, and romantic and historic cobblestone hillside streets. In addition, July and August every year turn the fields in Tihany into purple carpets of lavender. The peak blooming time is in July, while the harvest time is in August, when the lavender festival usually takes place.

• Héviz Spa: The Romans came here for hot baths more than 2000 years ago. Since then, it has become a hotspot for relaxation and mineral therapies in the Balkans and Central Europe. Lake Balaton, home to more than 1,000 wonderful hot springs, is renowned for its healing powers. The Héviz Spa is one of the most popular and offers a wide range of different treatments and treatments.

- What to eat in Balaton?

• Borcsa Étterem (Address: Balatonfüred, Tagore stny. 1): opened its gates in 1984 and is located on one of the most beautiful promenades around Lake Balaton. The menu includes several meaty Hungarian dishes, complemented by pizza and ice cream. The upper deck of the restaurant is like a cruise ship. Here, diners can also enjoy Kronenburg beer specialties.

• Régi Idők Udvara Skanzen & Restaurant (Address: Tihany, Batthyány u. 3): Part enchanted garden, part ethnographic museum with ubiquitous farm tools, Tihany's best restaurant is the place to go. Guests linger to drink beer brewed on site as well as to eat. Popular menu items including: smoked salmon, foie gras with egg barley and spare ribs are all delicious and the portions are generous.

• Bacchus (Address: Keszthely, Erzsébet királyné Úja 18): At Bacchus, diners can enjoy a wonderful dinner in a hotel restaurant in a rustic setting. The menu includes traditional Zala County dishes, Lake Balaton fish, specialty games and regional wines. The hotel also has a wine cellar, where wine tastings are held.

   Some traditional recipes are revived.

• Mala Garden Restaurant (Address: Siófok, A, Petőfi stny. 15): Mala Garden Hotel's restaurant in Siófok offers a quaint atmosphere that matches the hotel's design, where guests marvel at the frame. Beautiful views overlooking Lake Balaton all year round. The menu is international and the menus that follow are a fusion of Far Eastern, Malay and Thai cuisines and flavors, but dedicated followers of a healthy diet won't be disappointed with much either. Salads and fish dishes await them. For those wanting a taste of Hungary, some traditional recipes are revived here.