Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, located in western Hungary, is the largest in the country and at the same time the largest in Central Europe. This freshwater body of water has an area of 594 km², which is why it is sometimes referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”. If you look at a map, Lake Balaton resembles a narrow strip that stretches 79 kilometers from southwest to northeast on the terrain. The width varies from 1.2 to 12.4 kilometers in different places. The depth of Balaton averages 3.6 meters, making it one of the shallowest lakes on the planet. It is navigated by ships, and there is industrial fishing, which is very rich in fish (there are 25 species).

Video: Lake Balaton and its surroundings

Contents

Highlights

One of the main advantages of Lake Balaton is that it is a famous tourist attraction, popular not only in the Republic itself, but also in other countries, especially neighboring countries. Around the lake there is a resort area, and it itself today is a real center of family recreation. And the recreation is active: in addition to traditional fishing, vacationers are engaged in sailing and surfing, rowing and water skiing. The presence of mineral and thermal springs makes this pearl of Hungary also a therapeutic resort, where hundreds and thousands of people improve their health.

.

Due to its shallow depth, Lake Balaton warms up well in summer, almost up to 26° Celsius. On average, its temperature during the season is 21-22 degrees. Thanks to such comfortable indicators, as well as the highest level of service and traditional Hungarian hospitality, Balaton ranks among the most visited resorts of the Old Continent. The continuous strip of sandy beaches of the southern coast and the picturesque landscape of its northern shores, where there are mountains, fruit orchards, vineyards and preserved ruins of ancient fortresses, not only creates the full illusion of a vacation at sea, but also makes the reservoir and its surroundings one of the most unique places in Europe.

.

History and legends

The predecessor of Lake Balaton was the Pannonian Sea, which existed several million years ago. Due to geological shifts, the seabed underwent significant changes. It rose, which in turn led to changes in the landscape. At the same time, there was increased volcanic activity in the area. This resulted in the appearance of mineral and thermal springs in large numbers. They predetermined the current “fate” of Balaton as a popular health resort.

.

The shallow depth of the “Hungarian Sea” has largely influenced the fact that people on its shores began to settle since time immemorial. They were tribes of Slavs and Germans, Celts and Thracians. In the first century AD the Romans settled here and founded the whole province of Pannonia. In the VI century they were displaced by the Avars. The 500-700s can be called a transitional period to the future statehood. The peoples living here were of mixed Romano-Slavic-Avarian origin, but had no state as such. Somewhat later, in the IX century, the Slavs formed the Blaten principality here. The capital of this formation was a town with an unusual name – Blatnograd, located near the Balaton coast on the Zala River. Today on the site of the former “capital city” is a village with the same name.

.

Hungarian tribes came here in the early 10th century. After conquering the region, Istvan the Holy built an abbey in Zalavar (1019). Another abbey appeared on the Tihany peninsula in 1055 – with the easy hand of King András I. In the XVI century, several defensive fortresses grew along the northern shore of the lake. And only since the XVIII century Balaton completely moved to “peaceful” life: tourism began to develop actively. Once small villages grew surprisingly quickly, turning into resort-type towns. Representatives of the Hungarian and Austrian elite liked to recuperate here. Subsequently, people began to come here not only for medical reasons: summer vacations on the lake became fashionable as a certain obligatory attribute. If someone from the nobility for various reasons did not get here in the summer, the year was considered “lived in vain”.

In 1846 actively began to exploit the transportation capabilities of Balaton: the lake opened shipping. With the development of railroad transportation by the end of the XIX century, economic life boomed with renewed vigor, and so continued until the Second World War, which disrupted the usual way of life. Especially fierce battles were fought in the vicinity of Balaton in March 1945. The tank and field armies of the Wehrmacht were fiercely resisting the troops of the III Ukrainian Front. During the fighting, which went down in history as the Balaton Operation, the buildings and structures along the coast were seriously damaged. After the war, the new authorities began to gradually restore the lost tourist potential of the region.

There are also several legends associated with this unique body of water. Ancient people, who had no idea about the complex geological and volcanic processes, wondered how in one place could gather so much water. So the myth was born that one hard-working farmer was hindered by a large stone, and he decided to move it away so that nothing would interfere with the cultivation of the field. But it turned out quite differently: a spring with very clear water burst to the surface from under it, gradually flooding the whole valley, and it turned into a whole lake, which the Hungarians themselves call “Balci.”

Another local legend is the Balchi Lake.

Another local legend says that at the bottom of Lake Balaton there is a church, and inside is a beautiful girl. She is constantly and inconsolably crying, and until this flow of tears stops, the water in Lake Balaton will not run dry. If we believe this legend and judge by the current state of the water surface, the poor concubine does not think of stopping…

.

Features of Balaton

No church and certainly not a crying girl, the researchers at the bottom of the “Hungarian Sea”, of course, did not find. But they were quite impressed by the velvety sand covering it. The water itself does not look so beautiful, because there is a lot of plankton in it. But since this component plays a key role in the ecosystem of Balaton, vacationers “forgive” the nature the lack of transparency in the water. But it is very clean, which is confirmed by regular checks of sanitary and epidemiological services and independent experts. Hungarians, proud of their “sea” (the country has no access to the world’s oceans), assure that you can even drink from it.

.

The color of Balaton’s water is like a chameleon: mostly light green, but can change depending on the time of day or weather conditions. The climate is much like that of the Mediterranean. Cloudy days, if there are any, are very infrequent. Winter is also good here, as there are no severe frosts and, consequently, no glaciation. The thickness of the ice cover does not exceed 10-20 cm. Although there were times (but very rarely) that the ice crust reached 60-70 centimeters thick. The only trouble is strong winds: they blow both in winter and summer. They are potentially dangerous for sailing fans (a yacht can capsize) and even small boats.

.

The depth of the lake, as noted above, is shallow. However, its level is not the same for the entire coast. On the southern shore, even if you walk from it 200-300 meters, the water will still be knee-deep. Not for nothing Hungarians call Balaton “the biggest puddle in Europe” or even “swamp”. On the opposite shore everything is different: the depth with a man’s height and even a little more starts already after 20-30 meters!

.

Coast and beaches

There are many resort towns along the perimeter of both shores of Lake Balaton. These are Balatonalmadi, Tihany, Balatonfüred, Keszthely (on the northern one) and Balatonllelle, Siofok, Fönjod, Blatonboglar (on the southern one). They are similar in some ways, but also different. They have one thing in common: it is nice to come here on vacation and gain health and strength for the whole year.

.

Balaton beaches also differ from each other. On the north coast, the bottom is stony. The depth increases not gradually, as on the southern coast, but more steeply. Because of these features, its beaches are more suitable for experienced swimmers. Small children prefer not to go to the northern coast. Keszthely and Sighetfürdö are some of the prettiest places here. Many excellent beach villages can also be found near Tihany, Zanka and Balatonfüred.

.

The southern side, especially the coastal strip, is a real boon for those who are not good swimmers and vacationers with small children. Babies carefree splashing in the water, the depth of which is barely 50 cm, and parents can especially for them do not worry (although keep an eye on their children, of course, you need to). The villages of Keneshe, Aliga and Akarattia are located here. Their beaches as one “look” to the south, so vacationers can bask under the gentle rays of the morning and almost until sunset.

.

Speaking of local beaches, it is impossible not to mention their infrastructure. Some have water slides, animation. In others, vacationers are taught the basics of fitness and aquafitness. On the beach Lido, for example (it is on the north coast), in addition to children’s animation is equipped with tracks for water skiing. And Denesdias beach in the south can be called children’s beach with good reason: there is a playground, where in the season organized exciting programs for the youngest.

.

Many resorts, including some individual baths, are not located directly on the shores of Lake Balaton, but this does not make them any less popular. One such resort, where you can not only relax, but also improve your health, is Hévíz. Its most important attraction is the lake of the same name, the largest thermal body of water in Europe.

.

Not far from it is the health resort Zalakaros, famous for its Granite Bath. Vacationers are also familiar with the spa in Marzali, where thousands of people improve their health every year.

.

Another center of spa life is the already mentioned Siofok, the hallmark of which is the entertainment bath “Galerius”.

.

All the baths have large swimming pools without exception. At the service of vacationers – water entertainment, designed for both adults and children.

.

Recreation and entertainment

The entire southern coast, from Balatonberen to Balatonlelle, is one continuous beach. Siofok is rightly considered the center of the region, its summer “capital”. A rich and varied entertainment program awaits people of all ages. The length of the beach is 17 kilometers, and everywhere you can find opportunities for both sports activities and just active recreation. From everywhere there is music and discos, so it is not surprising that Siofok has become a place of “pilgrimage” of young people.

.

In the town of Balatonfüzfö – on the northern shore of Balaton – there is a grandiose sports center. It has everything for the lover of active recreation to really “take his soul away”: swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields. Those who like to practice shooting can spend time at the local shooting range. Bobsledders will be pleased with the year-round track. Add to this the presence of numerous yacht clubs, places for exercising, horseback riding and a magnificent bicycle route between the towns and in the vicinity.

.

Balatonfüred, one of the largest towns on the northern coast, is home to a renowned cardiac sanatorium not only in Hungary but far beyond. The resort is famous for its Greek Village complex, where many stores (a paradise for shopping fans!), restaurants and nightclubs are concentrated. Directly on the coast there are many hotels and guesthouses. There are also in the city limits. You can move around the resort by electric train.

.

And Lake Balaton attracts lovers of fishing. But fishing is not allowed everywhere, only in places such as Alsjoersch, Balatonfüzfö, Balatonakli, Tihany and Balatonalmadi. However, the most popular among anglers are the Inner Lake on the Tihany peninsula, the lakes in the villages of Zalamerene and Galambok and Lake Shoshto in the vicinity of Little Balaton, in Balatonsabadi. One of the inhabitants of the local waters, the pikeperch, is called the “king” of Balaton fish. In local restaurants, pikeperch is a permanent part of the menu. Fishing officially starts at the end of April. Only without a special permit your fishing will be considered illegal: you can buy a document in every fish store.

.

Continuing the theme of active recreation, it should be noted that tennis courts and mini golf courses are available in every resort town. Riding schools are open in Tihany, Keszthely, Santad, Nagyvajoni and other settlements around Balaton. In addition to restaurants and clubs, there are many cozy inns on the coast of Balaton, where guests are treated to spicy Hungarian fish soup, dishes from catfish and silver pikeperch, poured wine of the best local varieties, and where the soul-stirring gypsy music sounds.

.

Sightseeing

Let’s start our sightseeing with the Tihany Peninsula, the hallmark of this unique water body. It is the largest peninsula on Balaton, and the village of the same name is located here. In the center of the peninsula, favored by tourists, are its two pearls: the Outer (Külsjö-toh) and Inner (Belsjö-toh) lakes. Their shores, surrounded by cones of dormant geysers, are covered with reeds and reeds. These lakes are as shallow as Balaton itself. The depth here is 2-3 meters, no more.

.

The most famous historical monument of Tihany is the Benedictine Abbey of St. Agnos. It is the oldest monastery in Hungary and was founded in 1055. The date is established precisely, as the Latin original of the document has been preserved. The latter is also valuable as the oldest monument of the Hungarian language, as it contains about a hundred Hungarian words. The abbey has preserved ancient carved altars, which are a real work of art.

.

The Tihanyá area has been declared a protected area by the government. Quite deservedly: this piece of land is distinguished not only by its convenient location and geographical features, but also by the presence of historical monuments and rare representatives of flora and fauna. And should we be surprised that a whole army of tourists rushes here every year – about a million people every year. In addition to its lakes, the Tihany Peninsula is known for its lavender fields, spherical hills formed by geyser springs. There are over a hundred of these hills, the most beautiful of them, covered with golden-colored lichen, is called the “Golden House.”

.

In the Middle Ages, the center of the Balaton region was Keszthely, which received the status of a “rural town” in the early 15th century. Three centuries later it was acquired by the wealthy Festetich family. They built a magnificent palace here – the third largest in the country. At the same time, it is the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in the country. Count György Feszetich opened in Keszthely the first agricultural institute on the continent – Georgikon. A pedestrian street leads from the palace, along which are located the Marzipan Museum with its own pastry shop, the equally famous Dolls Museum, as well as restaurants and cafes. Festivals and concerts are regularly held in the town.

.

Behind the mountain of St. György hides the small old town of Tapolca. True, it is not located directly on the shore of Balaton, but tourists love it. Here is a place that is perceived as another world – the Tapolca Lake Cave. It was formed when hot water washed out entire halls and winding corridors in the lime rock, which were then filled with the purest water from karst springs.

.

On the northern shore, right on top of the mountain is the Kishfaludi observation deck. The panorama of Balaton from here is simply amazing. At least once in your life, but this picture created by nature itself is worth seeing. Not forgetting, of course, to take your camera with you.

.

And on the southern shore is the world-famous village of Balatonendred. Here lives an interesting tradition of lace weaving, dating back to the beginning of the last century and adopted in Germany. Tourists, especially women, get acquainted with the history of this craft and, of course, with passion learn the basics of craftsmanship.

.

In the north of Lake Balaton, near Sigliget, there is a 242-meter high Fortress Mountain. Its summit is crowned by the ruins of an old fortress (hence the name) and reed-covered village houses. The dwellings are arranged in a semicircle around the ruins. In this village settlement, the traditional village structure has been preserved. The historic part of the village is surrounded by a wall.

.

The attractions of Balaton are not only natural areas, historical monuments, therapeutic baths and fishing spots. Even from ancient times, wine and gastronomic routes with their unique cellars and restaurants have been preserved. The “Hungarian Sea” itself and other lakes in the area are rich in fish, there is a lot of game in the forests and various fruits are grown in the gardens. To use all these gifts, as they say, it is God’s will. Among the wine villages are Balatonboglar, Sigliget, Badacony and Keszthely. Badacsony wines, for example, enjoy legendary fame. The most famous of them are: “Keknelü” and “Balatoni Surkebarat.”

.

A few words about group excursions and their cost. Travel by motorboat to the Tihany Peninsula will cost about 10 euros (the program includes a visit to the abbey). A trip to Keszthely with a tour of the Festetichi Palace without going inside and an excursion to Badacony with a delicious lunch and tasting of local wines cost the same – about 18 euros. Want to take a boat ride on the Balaton? You’re welcome. The cost is about 14 euros. A stay in the Schumeg Fortress, where you can watch a “knight’s tournament” and have a medieval-style dinner accompanied by gypsy music, will cost about 33 euros. An excursion to Tapolca (the program includes a visit to the cave lakes and boat rides) is 17 euros.

.

How to get there

To get to Balaton from Budapest, the capital of Hungary, you can take the modern 115-kilometer two-lane highway. In the area of Siofok it joins the highway that encircles the lake. It is possible to drive around the famous “Hungarian Sea” in a day (taking into account stops at favorite places).

.

Along the northern and southern shores there is a railroad connecting the local resorts with Budapest. By train, it takes 2 hours to reach Siofok, 2.5 hours to Balatonfüred, and 3 hours to Keszthely.

.

Balaton-Shermellek International Airport is located 11 km from the town of Keszthelyi. The air harbor receives flights from many European cities: Berlin, London, Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Zurich. In summer, planes from Moscow, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Hamburg land here.

.