Lake Balaton has long attracted attention. It is so large that tourists and locals call it the sea. In the vicinity of Balaton it is good to relax. There is a well-thought-out infrastructure and comfortable beaches. What travelers themselves think about this place - the publication will tell.
general information
Balaton is a lake in Hungary, which is located in the western part of the country. The pond stretches almost a hundred kilometers, so it is considered the largest in Europe. No wonder it is also called the Hungarian Sea. On average, the distance to the bottom of the lake is 3 meters. In the deepest place, this value does not exceed 13 meters. The water in Balaton is silk, has a yellowish-green hue. Surprisingly, in the evening it is warmer than air. In summer, the lake warms up to 20-26 degrees. Warm waters have a good effect on the nervous system, providing a relaxing effect. In the vicinity of the lake there are many attractions, vineyards and entertainment options.
Interesting Facts
Balaton comes from the Slavic word plateau and translates as a swamp. The pond was so named because of the shallow depth and greenish tint of water, which is obtained due to the large accumulation of plankton.
Locals tell tourists that Lake Balaton is fraught with many treasures. According to one legend, a girl cries at the bottom of a pond in a church. Until her tears run out, there will be warm water, geysers and healing springs in Balaton.
Lake location
Geographically, Balaton is located in the Middle Danube Valley, about a hundred kilometers from Budapest. The area of the lake is almost six hundred square kilometers. A reservoir around the perimeter is surrounded by resort villages. In the north of Balaton is a national Hungarian park. A protected reserve runs along the southwestern coast. It is a swampy area that has become a haven for a variety of birds.
How to get to Balaton
The nearest airport is 135 kilometers from Budapest. According to reviews of Lake Balaton, tickets are much cheaper in high season. But you can save a lot if you go to Hungary by car or by bus. Transport infrastructure in the vicinity of Balaton is well developed. From Budapest to the lake can be reached by a modern freeway. In the south and north of Balaton, there is a railway that connects the resort with the capital. Also, passenger ships constantly stop at the lake, stopping at each pier.
Difference in time
When planning your vacation in Balaton, keep in mind that the local time will be different from Moscow. In summer, a new day begins one hour earlier. In winter, the difference is minus two hours.
When is the best time to go?
Most tourists like to travel around Central Europe in the summer and late spring, as reviews from Hungary show. In terms of recreation, Lake Balaton will be most interesting in August. If this month there is no way to go on vacation, then you can go in June or July.
For active pastime on water, vacationers recommend visiting the northern shore of Balaton. It has long become a popular area. As practice shows, tourists most often stay in three-star hotels that serve breakfast.
Water in Balaton
It is worth noting that the water in the lake is warm, clean, but not transparent because of the plankton that lives there. But he doesn’t scare off vacationers at all. Every year more and more tourists gather here.
In general, the lake is very shallow. About three hundred meters will have to go offshore to swim a little. These places are great for families with children. These are the southern shores with pleasant velvet sand.
Fans to dive and swim in the depths should go to the north of Lake Balaton. There you can dive well already twenty meters from the coast. The bottom is rocky and is rapidly gaining depth. These are Balatonfured, Keszthely and other resorts. To feel the extreme, you can go to the Tihany depression. Its depth reaches almost 13 meters.
The sunniest place is the eastern part of Balaton. Here those who like to sunbathe on the beach prefer to spend their vacations.
It should be noted that Balaton in its composition practically does not differ from sea water. Therefore, the lake is good for the skin and the body as a whole.
Entertainment
For a comfortable stay in Balaton, all conditions are created. Vacationers here have plenty to choose from. Almost every resort village has motels, tennis courts, golf courses, volleyball courts and riding schools. Restaurants with gypsy music and Hungarian cuisine give a special touch. In the surroundings you can walk along the coast, go boating, sailing or fishing. Both common carp and silver pike perch are found in the lake. True, for fishing you need to get a special permit. Festivals are constantly held around Lake Balaton. The photo above shows one of them.
Resort areas
Today, Balaton is a popular tourist destination in Hungary.
You can stay in several resort areas:
- Siofok. It is the largest coastal town of Balaton. This is the center of nightlife and the concentration of well-maintained beaches. Also here is the beautiful river Shio.
- Balatonfured. Very popular on the north coast. Usually people come here to visit the famous alley of Rabindranath Tagore and healing springs.
- Tihany. Located next to Balatonfüred. Here, relaxing on Lake Balaton is associated with viewing architectural attractions.
- Santod. In this village you can entertain yourself with horse riding and riding parades, which are arranged periodically. From here you can quickly get to the Tihany Peninsula by crossing.
- Keszthely. Great old resort town. It attracts tourists with convenient beaches, authentic streets and the Festetics Palace, which is made in the Baroque style and is located in a picturesque park.
- Badacsony and Sigliget. The main highlight of these northern coastal villages are cozy restaurants. They serve exquisite and delicious Hungarian wines, for which many tourists come. When visiting villages, you should definitely take a look at the ruins of the ancient Castle Hill fortress.
Cost of rest in the vicinity of Balaton
As a rule, hotel accommodation is very cheap in Hungary. Rest on Lake Balaton is also very budget. At the same time, local hotels offer their guests high-quality two-day meals.
For clarity, you can consider the price of a week's vacation in Balaton (when staying in a 3-4-star hotel).
- Balatonfured - 298-812 euros (21-57 thousand rubles).
- Siofok - 316-943 euros (22-66 thousand rubles).
- Tihany - 342-565 euros (24-39 thousand rubles).
- Balatonmaldi - 436-582 euros (30-41 thousand rubles).
Tourists who have already visited the lake say that some additional expenses must be added to these amounts. This is a Hungarian visa (80 euros / 5600 rubles), a plane ticket (250 euros / 17500 rubles) and medical insurance (1 euro / 70 rubles for one day). If you plan to include an excursion program in your vacation, then lay about 50 euros / 3500 rubles on it.
Travelers note that an average weekly vacation on Lake Balaton costs a thousand euros / 70,000 rubles. Of course, if you wish, you can buy a ticket to the local sanatorium for a ridiculous price.
What to bring home?
It is also recommended to bring some money with you for souvenirs, handicrafts, Hungarian goodies and national alcoholic drinks. Their travelers are happy to bring home from Balaton. Attention should be paid to souvenirs with a picture of a lake, painted porcelain and a Rubik's cube, which were invented in Hungary. Girls are happy to purchase clothing from local designers. Good gastronomic gifts will be marzipan sweets, Hungarian salami, Tokai wine, herbal balm and fruit vodka.
Summing up, it must be said that Balaton perfectly combines beach, medical and youth recreation. Both active tourists and calm couples with children can have a great time here. Despite the fact that food and accommodation in Hungary are inexpensive.