If you are visiting Budapest in summer, take a perfect day-trip to Lake Balaton, Hungary and thank me later!

What is Lake Balaton?

Dubbed as Hungarian Sea, about 50 miles long lake with charming little towns, rustic villages, resort towns, and vineyards stretched along its shorelines, Lake Balaton is Hungary’s and Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake.

Balaton is Hungary’s second most visited destination after Budapest for a good reason. Hungarians flock here every summer for some outdoor fun.

We visited Lake Balaton on our way to Budapest, Hungary from Zadar, Croatia. It can be a great destination for travelers looking for a peaceful day trip from Budapest.

Away from crowds, time seems to have stopped here.

Whenever I recommend people to add Lake Balaton to their Hungary bucket list, they respond with a question mark on their face – Is Lake Balaton worth visiting?

Ah! I get that. Balaton is not your typical city-break destination. It might be famous among the locals but is still largely unknown among tourists.

As a typical Indian tourist, When we plan a dream Europe trip from India, the places that make it to our list almost always are the famous European capital cities like Paris, Budapest, Prague, Zagreb, Vienna, Rome and so on.

Well, I’ve never been one to follow convention and crowd. Replacing touristy destinations with lesser-explored towns and villages (whether it’s Europe or any continent for that matter) has been a tradition now.

Okay. Before I go off on a tangent let’s get back to the main question.

Is Lake Balaton Worth Visiting?

Hell yeah! Lake Balaton has been a top-rated and most visited family destination in Hungary for decades now.

It has been billed as the most thrilling gourmet region in the country because of its intriguing food, wine, and arts scene.

Over the years, the Hungarian Lake District’s popularity resulted in a good number of spa towns and resorts along its foreshore.

Untouched countryside, thermal spas, pretty villages, wildlife, and a big blue lake shimmering under a summer sun – Welcome to Balaton!

How Far is Lake Balaton from Budapest?

Well, there are a plethora of resort towns and villages spread out around the lake’s southern and northern shore – Siófok, Zamárdi, Balatonszemes, Balatonlelle, Badacsony, Veszprém, Balatonalmádi, Fonyód, Keszthely, Tihany, Csopak, Kapolcs and many more.

From Budapest, Siófok and Veszprém will be the closest resort towns. It takes about an hour via motorway M7 to reach them from Budapest.

So, the time of the journey from Budapest to Balaton solely depends upon the town or region you choose to visit.

Here are the driving distances and directions from Budapest to some of the major towns at Lake Balaton:

• Budapest to Siófok – 1 hour 6 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Veszprém – 1 hour 21 minutes via M7 and Route 8
• Budapest to Balatonlelle – 1 hour 24 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Csopak – 1 hour 27 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Fonyód – 1 hour 28 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Balatonfüred – 1 hour 33 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Tihany – 1 hour 40 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Kapolcs – 1 hour 45 minutes via M7 and Route 8
• Budapest to Keszthely – 1 hour 53 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Hévíz – 1 hour 57 minutes via M7
• Budapest to Tapolca – 2 hours 4 minutes via M7, Route 8, and Route 77
• Budapest to Balaton Uplands National Park – 2 hours 20 minutes via M7

Things to do in and around Lake Balaton

Many of Balaton’s best attractions are away from the shore. Southern lakeside resorts like Siofok, have been thronged by tourists, but the northern shore is peaceful, untouched and is a place to be for outdoor lovers.

Siófok

The party capital of Balaton (as Hungarians call it), Siófok is one of the most popular holiday destinations along Lake Balaton’s southern shore best known for its beaches and nightlife.

Recommended Hotel in Siófok: Residence Balaton Wellness Hotel

Zamárdi

A little away from Siofok, Zamárdi is a famous family destination with an adventure park, Balaton’s longest beach, and a bobsleigh track.

It’s also a famous destination for music lovers as it hosts the Balaton Sound, one of the largest open-air electronic music festival in Europe.

Recommended Hotel in Zamárdi: Zamárdi Design Apartment

Fonyód

We stayed in Fonyód. It’s from here that passengers board ferries across the lake to the famous wine region on the northern shore, Badacsony.

Where to stay in Fonyód?

We stayed at this pretty Airbnb. Our host, Edit was warm and friendly. She tried her best to communicate and help us even though she didn’t know English.

We were welcomed with chocolates and a bottle of local wine.

Not on Airbnb? Get on it with our link and get $43 off on your first booking.

Balatonboglár

Known as the town of grapes and wine, Balatonboglár is a popular wine region on the southern shore.

You can visit the Majthényi Présház, a family-owned winery for an authentic experience.

Don’t forget to climb the unique lookout tower, the Globe Observatory for jaw-dropping views over the lake area.

Recommended Hotel in Balatonboglar: Partvilla Balatonboglar

Balatonlelle

Balatonlelle has Kishegy (Little Hill). Take a walk on the hill to admire one of the best sunsets of Lake Balaton.

Recommended Hotel in Balatonlelle: Butique Apartman

Veszprém

Located between Lake Balaton and the Bakony Hills, Veszprém is one of the oldest cities in Hungary.

It’s nicknamed as the City of Queens as the queens of Hungary were crowned by the bishop of Veszprém.

The city swaddles Hungary’s significant historic sites. You can see one of Hungary’s first stone castles, Episcopal Palace and the first Cathedral, St. Michael’s Cathedral.

The Porcelain factory of Herend is a recommended detour from Veszprém.

Recommended Hotel in Veszprém: Oázis Apartman

Balatonfüred

A traditional lakeside getaway, Balatonfüred hosts the eminent annual beauty pageant, the Anna Ball of Balatonfüred.

It’s also famous as a great yachting and fishing destination in Hungary.

Tagore Promenade is named after the famous Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore. The poet spent quite a time in Balatonfüred when he was traveling the natural springs in the Balaton region.

Recommended Place to Stay in Balatonfüred: Apartment Villanna

Tihany

Located in the Veszprém County on the Tihany Peninsula (narrowest point of lake Balaton ), Tihany is celebrated for its 11th-century Benedictine Abbey Church, one of the oldest churches in Hungary.

The church perches on a cliff offering picture-postcard views of the lake’s southern shore.

Climb the Tihany Echo Hill to relish the views over Lake Balaton or shout your name from the hill to listen to the echo.

Come July and August, the fields of Tihany transform into gorgeous bright violet carpets of blossoming lavender, a sight to behold of course.

Recommended Hotel in Tihany: Oliver Lux

Csopak

It’s a well-known wine-growing region on the northern shore. Take a wine tour at Márga Bisztro and taste signature wine from Csopak, Welschriesling.

Where to Stay in Csopak: Balatoni Élmény

Where to eat in Csopak: Borkuria Bistro located at St. Donát winery

Keszthely

Keszthely, the largest town by the lake on the western shore is famous among history and culture lovers.

It houses Baroque-style Festetics-Castle, Helikon Library, and the Balaton Museum.

The town is quite close to Europe’s largest thermal lake, Hévíz Lake.

Where to stay in Keszthely: Toldi68 Apartmanház

Hévíz Lake

Take a dip in Hévíz Lake, World’s largest thermal lake with natural medicinal water.

Recommended Hotel in Hévíz: Lotus Therme Hotel & Spa

Tapolca

Located in the Veszprém county, Tapolca is a charming town close to Lake Balaton.

It’s visited by tourists for its unique attraction – Lake Cave. It’s best explored on a guided tour. The entry fee is 2000 HUF.

Recommended Hotel in Tapolca: Tópart Apartman

Balaton Uplands National Park

Kapolcs

A little village in Balaton Uplands, Kapolcs along with neighboring villages of Taliándörögd and Vigántpetend host the largest multi-art festival in Hungary, The Valley of Arts Festival every year in July.

If not for the festival, you can visit the village for its pretty row of water mills at Eger stream’s shore.

Where to Stay in Kapolcs: Kapolcs Cottage