A Region of Resorts
Badacsony
The four wine-growing villages at the foot of the distinctive box-shaped mountain of Badacsony are pleasant and welcoming, but it is the home-grown wine and views from the forested hillside that attract the crowds. The national park on the flat top of the mountain is well worth exploring and has a number of spectacular lookout posts.
Balatonfüred
The elegant town of Balatonfüred, with its Baroque high street, was one of the first tourist towns on Balaton and maintains an air of elegance and superiority even today. The origins of its opulence can partly be traced back to the town's mineral springs ("füred" means "baths") and the town is now home to one of Europe's top heart hospitals. In the 19th century, Balatonfüred was something of an artists colony famously patronised by Hungarian opera legend Lujza Blaha and famous author and politician Mór Jókai.
Hévíz
The spa town is not actually on Balaton, but it is near enough to Keszthely to make it a worthy day trip if the weather turns cold. The water of the exotic Gyógy-tó is warm enough to swim in all year round, even when there is snow on the roofs of the wooden structure that extends over the thermal lake. The town itself is a collection of spa hotels and spa complexes.
Keszthely
Keszthely, on the westernmost tip of the lake, is the only town that does not live entirely from tourism, making it worth visiting even in winter, when the lake is frozen and often suitable for walking and skating on. The pedestrian street in the town centre and the Festetics Castle are the main attractions, as well as the beaches and sailing possibilities. If you are in Keszthely, it is worth making the trip to Héviz.
Siófok
The party capital of Balaton, Siófok is where the crowds go on July and August weekends, culminating in the public holiday on 20 August. The focal point is the Coca-Cola Beach House where big-name Hungarian bands play to the sun-baked revellers. The promenade along the beach front is a hedonist hotspot with enough bars and restaurants for a small city.
Tihany
The rocky peninsula that almost splits Balaton a third of the way along attracts hoards of visitors in the summer season, and the beautiful Abbey Church and the Benedictine Monastery hark back to this small town's early life as a religious centre. However, the wilds of the national park – Hungary's first – is large enough to provide an escape the crowds if necessary. Tihany can be approached by bus from nearby Balatonfüred or by ferry from Siófok, Szántód and Balatonföldvár.
Zalakaros
A state-of-the-art bathing complex has recently been created in the village of Zalakaros, 30 kilometres south of Keszthely. Designed for the mass spa tourist market, high-quality relaxation is guaranteed. Nature lovers will also feel at home in the surrounding countryside, where you will find birds, wildlife and even a bison reserve.
North and West of Lake Balaton there are many spa resorts. The oldest and most famous is at Hévíz five miles from Keszthely, featuring Europe's largest thermal lake, the world's second largest. The first spa here was opened in 1795. With a temperature that rarely goes below 85-90 degrees, regardless of the season, Héviz has such voluminous springs feeding it that the entire lake replenishes itself every 24 hours. The therapeutic power of minerals of Lake Héviz is so strong that it is recommended to limit your soaking to 20 minutes at a time. An enclosed causeway leads to the center of the lake where you'll find a palacsinta (crepe) bar, massage, float rental and other services. Stay at a deluxe spa hotel close to the lake or in one of the many apartments or houses that may be rented.
While some spas, such as Hévíz or Sárvár are close to castles and vineyards, others like Bük Spa are located in areas packed with active vacation opportunities like golf or horseback riding.
After a few days of mud packs, relaxation therapy, massage and soaking, return to Budapest revitalized and rejuvenated - and fly home feeling years younger!
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Lake Balaton Wine Region
Lake Balaton is primarily a summer holiday destination, but the people who come to laze on the beach often overlook the fact that they are surrounded by some excellent winegrowing country. Four wine producing regions share the shores of the lake, Balatonfelvidék (the Balaton uplands), Balatonfüred-Csopak and Badacsony on the hilly north shore, and Balatonboglár to the flatter south.
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