Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton
4.5
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21 within 3 miles
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12 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
272 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
89
Average
32
Poor
8
Terrible
6
David-Miriam-Cohen
Israel333 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Balaton is the largest lake in Eastern Europe. It is surrounded by dozens of small villages and towns (and a few larger ones), attractions and activites for all ages and tastes.
We stayed in Tihany, off season. Gorgeous lake view from the room. Walk along the lake in different towns, each place is a bit different, but all have ducks and swans, things to do for kids, clean swimming areas (no sandy beaches), boat rides, historical cites and museums, hikes, whathaveyou nearby.
An absolutely wonderful place to go. The hardest part is deciding where to stay.
We stayed in Tihany, off season. Gorgeous lake view from the room. Walk along the lake in different towns, each place is a bit different, but all have ducks and swans, things to do for kids, clean swimming areas (no sandy beaches), boat rides, historical cites and museums, hikes, whathaveyou nearby.
An absolutely wonderful place to go. The hardest part is deciding where to stay.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport50123845671
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
I do not recommend on visiting Balaton lake, it's just terrible. A huge ammount of muskitos all over thw place that you can't even open the windows or step out the door. Do your self a favour and don't come close this place, a waste of money
Written August 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward Hallström
Stockholm, Sweden32 contributions
May 2019
I was visiting Budapest, when someone recommended me to go to take a boating trip on the Balaton Lake. And it was totally worth it! Besides the lake and the cruise itself, the village nearby is quite lovely too. Totally recommend it!
Written April 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrs B
Cambridge, UK460 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Absolutely beautiful part of Hungary. The lake is crystal clear, very shallow for quite a long way. There are water sports on the like, inflatables and mini slides for children. There are public toilets around the like and places to get snacks.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leon K
London, UK434 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
You need to visit to find out the beauty of this place, we went with family and stay very long but long enough to see it’s beauty.
The still calm water on Europe’s biggest lake, amazing, peaceful and tranquil.
It was differently worth a visit :)
The still calm water on Europe’s biggest lake, amazing, peaceful and tranquil.
It was differently worth a visit :)
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tittianto
Rome, Italy62 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Beautiful lake but watch where you stay, we stared at the DALMA Panzio the worst nightmare you can’t imagine. The manger rude, not at all what we booked, we arrived late due to traffic, dinner zero as their kitchen closed at 7. Room let’s see had to ask for towels so we could shower, closet NO had to put everything on the floor, chair I wish, the worst place ever.
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania17,107 contributions
Sep 2021
Lake Balaton - the "Hungarian" Sea - it is always a great to see - was no difference in September when I've been to Siofok and took some time to stroll along the shore.
Due to the high winds there were massive waves breaking against the shore , enhancing the spectacular views that the lake itself is typically offering - regardless of the season.
It was a nice relaxing walk along a piece of shore where at points a flock of wild ducks was on the shore and could make some pics.
Overall if you are in the area I would say you must stop somewhere on the shore and enjoy the views of you can even plan a summer holiday at the Balaton - for sure it is worth it.
Due to the high winds there were massive waves breaking against the shore , enhancing the spectacular views that the lake itself is typically offering - regardless of the season.
It was a nice relaxing walk along a piece of shore where at points a flock of wild ducks was on the shore and could make some pics.
Overall if you are in the area I would say you must stop somewhere on the shore and enjoy the views of you can even plan a summer holiday at the Balaton - for sure it is worth it.
Written December 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr.RR
Buenos Aires127 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
My wife and I was in Hungary in last recently, among the places we visit was the lake Balaton.- As all in Hungary is rather poor destination.- The landscape is monotonous, and it has lack of good services.- Like in the whole Hungary do not expect any help from the people that, generally, is unfriendly and not polite.- Nobody in all the country seems to knows English (not to say my mother language that is Spanish).- Be careful with thieves that appear to be a national calamity.- If you go by car you have to put great attention as a lot of signs are in Magyar, and the policemen, as almost all people in the country, are rude and very unfriendly my stay in the Balaton zone as in the whole Hungary (except the Hotel) was a really nightmare.- If you are planning to visit Europe, I strongly recommend that skip this country that is not worth to spent time (and money) in it.-
Written July 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neeraj L
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates16 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
Before going to stay in Lake balaton I was confused where to stay. Finally we stayed in Siofok which is basically the hear of all happenings. Great food, amazing night life, lively streets, etc. then we drove for a day trip to Balatonfured. Its the other side of lake and was very beautiful, great landscapes, again lively streets n great food. Since both are not far of you may have your hotel in any one of the place and you can hop between the places. there's a ferry that carries cars between the cities via the lake.
Written November 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimisoaraMarius
timisoara193 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Barátlakások...it is not very easy to translate this Hungarian word in terms of its real significance. Barát means friend. Lakás means house, home, or maybe better, the place where you currently stay and live. Therefore, Barátlakások could be something like "houses of friends". Actually, Barátlakások defines a group of caves arranged by hermits to be their home almost thousand years ago. It is located in the peninsula of Tihany, on the northern shore of the lake Balaton.
There are two options for the starting point: the harbour of Tihany or Tihany village, nearby the Doll Museum. Actually, I prefer the first that will finnaly lead you in the village. After you leave the harbour (photo 1), turn right in direction nord, along the public strand, and follow this path for about 500 m. Cross the road and enter the forrest in this point (photo 2). You will find a slowly climbing path that is accesible at any age, time and weather. From the harbour till here you need maybe 5 to 10 minutes, but no more. And another thing. I know this small mountain (called Ȯvár) is not K2, but take appropriate shoes. In other words, follow the path marked with green line on white background.
After no more than 10 minutes you will reach Ciprian forras (spring of Ciprian). It is the only active spring from the entire peninsula (photo 3). Originally, this spring was known as the Russian fountain because of the monks living nearby at Barátlakások. Later, it was named Ciprian, after Ciprian Halbik, who lived in Tihany Abbey. An advice: don 't use this water to drink. From here, you may continue to Barátlakások, or you may return to the harbour.
After other 15 to 20 minutes you will be on target: Barátlakások (phothos 4 to 10). There are three caves (that you can visit) in part natural, in part modelated by monks in the calcar rock. On the rock you can see the traces of the Pannonian see together with rocks coming from the volcanoes activity in the peninsula long time ago (for details, see the exhibition opened one year ago in Lavandel house, Tihany). All the caves are now restored and only few things remember about the original work of the monks.
Why this location for the monks? On one hand, because it was an isolated and safe place. Probably at that time Tihany was an island not a peninsula. The story said that the monks were sent here by the Principality of Kiev, to prepare the arrival of the bride of King Andras I, the Princess Anastasia of Ukraine (photo 11). It is supposed that this happened around 1050 A.D. Nowadays, only three groups of cells are visible, the others were buried by a rockfall in 1952. The remaining cells were stabilized in 1994 and can be visited today. Some of them are closed for visitors. Maybe sometimes, somebody will find the energy and enough money to restore all of them. It would be not only attractive, but also important, as it is the only settlement of this type in Central Europe.
From here, you need about 25 to 30 minutes (slowly) to reach the border of Tihany village. Don't forget to stop from time to time, not because you're tired, but because of beautiful landscapes on the Outer lake (Külsö-tó), inner lake (Belsö-tó) and on the northern shore of Balaton. Taken together, it is a nice trip that may cover 3 hours, but the effective walking-down lasts for less than 60 minutes.
Although it is not very clear what Tihany really means in the history of the Hungarian Kingdom, Andras I had something to do with this place, he founded the abbey in 1055 and he was buried in the church of Tihany Abbey five years later (photo 12). I don’t know what happened with Anastasia.
Why to make this trip? If you like nature, if you want to learn more about trees and other plants of the region, maybe if you want to learn your children how to preserve nature... If you want to see how monks from the XI-XIV centuries lived... All are good reasons. It remains enough time in the afternoon for a good bath in the lake Balaton.
There are two options for the starting point: the harbour of Tihany or Tihany village, nearby the Doll Museum. Actually, I prefer the first that will finnaly lead you in the village. After you leave the harbour (photo 1), turn right in direction nord, along the public strand, and follow this path for about 500 m. Cross the road and enter the forrest in this point (photo 2). You will find a slowly climbing path that is accesible at any age, time and weather. From the harbour till here you need maybe 5 to 10 minutes, but no more. And another thing. I know this small mountain (called Ȯvár) is not K2, but take appropriate shoes. In other words, follow the path marked with green line on white background.
After no more than 10 minutes you will reach Ciprian forras (spring of Ciprian). It is the only active spring from the entire peninsula (photo 3). Originally, this spring was known as the Russian fountain because of the monks living nearby at Barátlakások. Later, it was named Ciprian, after Ciprian Halbik, who lived in Tihany Abbey. An advice: don 't use this water to drink. From here, you may continue to Barátlakások, or you may return to the harbour.
After other 15 to 20 minutes you will be on target: Barátlakások (phothos 4 to 10). There are three caves (that you can visit) in part natural, in part modelated by monks in the calcar rock. On the rock you can see the traces of the Pannonian see together with rocks coming from the volcanoes activity in the peninsula long time ago (for details, see the exhibition opened one year ago in Lavandel house, Tihany). All the caves are now restored and only few things remember about the original work of the monks.
Why this location for the monks? On one hand, because it was an isolated and safe place. Probably at that time Tihany was an island not a peninsula. The story said that the monks were sent here by the Principality of Kiev, to prepare the arrival of the bride of King Andras I, the Princess Anastasia of Ukraine (photo 11). It is supposed that this happened around 1050 A.D. Nowadays, only three groups of cells are visible, the others were buried by a rockfall in 1952. The remaining cells were stabilized in 1994 and can be visited today. Some of them are closed for visitors. Maybe sometimes, somebody will find the energy and enough money to restore all of them. It would be not only attractive, but also important, as it is the only settlement of this type in Central Europe.
From here, you need about 25 to 30 minutes (slowly) to reach the border of Tihany village. Don't forget to stop from time to time, not because you're tired, but because of beautiful landscapes on the Outer lake (Külsö-tó), inner lake (Belsö-tó) and on the northern shore of Balaton. Taken together, it is a nice trip that may cover 3 hours, but the effective walking-down lasts for less than 60 minutes.
Although it is not very clear what Tihany really means in the history of the Hungarian Kingdom, Andras I had something to do with this place, he founded the abbey in 1055 and he was buried in the church of Tihany Abbey five years later (photo 12). I don’t know what happened with Anastasia.
Why to make this trip? If you like nature, if you want to learn more about trees and other plants of the region, maybe if you want to learn your children how to preserve nature... If you want to see how monks from the XI-XIV centuries lived... All are good reasons. It remains enough time in the afternoon for a good bath in the lake Balaton.
Written August 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour, je voudrais savoir où est'il le plus judicieux de louer un logement au Lac Belaton ?
Written March 5, 2018
francescociminale
Altamura, Italy
Dovrei venire dal 6 al 7 agosto: il clima è caldo afoso o secco, gradi in media? Mi interessa il panorama, non la balneazione, dove consigli di pernottare? La mia famiglia è composta sa sei persone.
Written July 1, 2017
Hi, I am planning to go to Hungary in the summer having a 2 centred holiday with one week in Budapest and the other at Lake Balaton. I have read your review is there any more you could add please i.e. accommodation etc, Regards, Richard.
Written March 7, 2016
Hi there when is phsic Sally there please
Written August 20, 2015
I am thinking of visiting mid to late September. Will everything be closed for the off season?
Written June 18, 2015
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