If you’ve been dreaming of a vacation in the Hungarian Lake Balaton region, we have good news for you: there are plenty of things to do and see, from relaxing on the beach to going hiking and biking. Check out our list of the best places to visit and activities for every type of traveler even if you are travelling on a rented car in Hungary!
Siófok
Siófok is a town and municipality in the Balatonboglár wine region, located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton. It was formed in 1950 by merging two villages: Siófok and Nagyszófi. The village was first mentioned as “Syovocz” (or “Syovoch”) in 1245 AD.
The town is a popular tourist destination, known for its many beaches and nightlife. It is also a centre for water sports in Hungary.
Keszthely
Keszthely is a beautiful town in western Hungary. It’s famous for its thermal waters and has a beautiful old town with lots of restaurants and cafes, making it a great place to visit during summer.
There are plenty of activities to do in Szeged. You can go to the Aquapark or visit one of the many museums. In the summer, people also come here for festivals and concerts.
Tapolca
Tapolca is a small town in Somogy County, Hungary. It’s located on the slopes of the Mecsek Hills and is known for its thermal springs. The area is popular with tourists thanks to its natural beauty and variety of activities, including hiking trails through forests or along lakeside beaches.
Balatonfüred
Balatonfüred is a town in Veszprém county, Hungary. It is located on the north shore of Lake Balaton and has a population of 4,708 (2014). It was first mentioned as “Füred” in 1291 and became an independent town in 1877.
Füred is a popular tourist destination, especially for those seeking to escape the crowds of nearby Keszthely. It has many hotels and guest houses, as well as restaurants serving traditional Hungarian food. The surrounding hills are covered with vineyards, and wine tasting is a popular activity in Füred.
Marcali
Marcali is a town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Northern Hungary, located on the right bank of the Sajó River. It is the second largest town in the county after Miskolc and one of its most important educational centers with several colleges and schools.
The name Marcali comes from Slavic Moravce or Moravci (Hungarian: Márvány), which means “marble”. This name was given because there were mines here that produced white marble blocks used as building materials in neighbouring villages.
The first written reference to Marcali dates back to 1276 when King Ladislaus IV donated land for a church dedicated to Saint Stephen (Szent István) who had been canonized only two years earlier by Pope Gregory IX at his request.
Hévíz
Hévíz is a town in Hungary, located on the shore of Lake Balaton. Its main attractions are the thermal baths and Héviz Castle.
The castle was built in the 13th century by King Béla IV and has been used as an administrative building ever since. Today, it houses museums and galleries displaying furniture from different eras as well as artworks from local artists.
Gyenesdiás
Gyenesdiás is a village in Somogy county, Hungary. It lies on the shore of Lake Balaton and is also a popular holiday resort. The village has a long history and was first mentioned in 1074.
The village has a population of 2,516 people (2001). It is known for its beautiful beaches and recreation areas such as the Aquapark, which is also one of Hungary’s largest swimming pools.
Vonyarcvashegy
Vonyarcvashegy is a village in the Balaton Uplands of Somogy County, Hungary. It lies on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, about 15 km south from Keszthely. The settlement was first mentioned in 1292 as a possession of the Keszthely Abbey. During its history it belonged to several noble families such as Zichy, Batthyany and Festetics; later on it was also owned by local peasantry until 1945 when it became part of Hungary again after World War II ended.
In recent years Vonyarcvashegy has become one of the most beautiful villages of the Balaton region with its unique architecture and traditional atmosphere
Zalakaros
Zalakaros is a town in Hungary, in the county of Veszprém and region of Balaton. The city is known for its thermal baths and its music festivals. The city is on the shore of Lake Balaton, in the southern part of Hungary. It has a population of over 22,000 people.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this tour of Lake Balaton and its surrounding areas. We know it can be overwhelming to try to navigate through all the different towns in Hungary, but we wanted to provide you with some helpful tips on where to start your journey!