Why is it worth it to visit the area around the Balaton?
The region is located in the western part of the country and is only a little over a hundred kilometers away from the capital, Budapest. Balaton is one of Central Europe's largest and most beautiful lake, but its exisitance defines a much larger area. Arriving to the lake from anywhere, you will witness the innocence of things that can only can be experienced in this area: the vast expanse of water, the intensity of sunlight, the soothing and warm purity of the air, and the harmony of nature and civilization. During your travel, the fine food, wine, and the hospitable tranquility of the locals, will make you feel a part during this experience.
Let's take a closer look at what awaits you in the North Coast of Balaton!
Gastronomy
In recent years, the region’s gastronomy has made great strides towards the quality and design of the regions character; this is largely due to the joining forces of local hosts, winemakers and other producers. At the same time, a growing demand for high quality restaurants and bistroculture appeared in our country. There is still a great deviation from the quality of resaurants and new places opening one after another that are trying to offer their guests a better experience. I would like to highlight the Kistücsök Restaurant of Balatonszemes, the Bock Bistro Balaton of Vonyarcvashegy, and also the Kredenc Winebistro and Baricska Csárda of Balatonfüred. There is a good reason for calling Köveskál a gastrovillage. Despite its small size, three excellent restaurants await the visitors: the Kővirág Hotel and Restaurant, the Kali Art Inn and the Miakő.
I heartily recommend the Liliomkert (Lily Garden) Market on Sundays in Káptalantóti for those who love to get lost in the local markets that offer a wealth of local: traditional mangalica, grey beef, pork products, goat and cow cheeses, homemade syrups, preserves, jams and dried fruits, fresh homebaked breads and seasonal, and local vegetables and fruits. With its peculiar atmosphere and freedom, it is surely a man's paradise. The experience is similar in the Biobalaton eco- and crafts market (Balatonfüred), the PIAC Placc (Tihany), the Farmers Market (Hévíz) or the fish market (Gyenesdiás).
Leisure activities
One can find more natural values besides the lake and beaches.
On the north shore lies one of our country's most unique geographical region, the Tapolca-basin. The beautiful buttes are very specific formations made from volcanic activity at the end of Pannonian age. On the edges of Badacsony, Szent György-hegy and Csobánc, the basalt stone-bags, are visible. The sugar loaf-shaped basalt cones are Gulács, Tóti-hegy, Hegyesd and Várhegy of Szigliget.
The basalt mountains of the area are not only uniquely interesting geological memories, but also habitats of a number of rare plants and animal species. Attached to the rich, natural resources, one can find deep-seated memories of diverse civilizations as well. This area’s viticulture has imperial importance as it can be traced back to the Roman times. The many architectural monuments of vineyards and villages, the ruins, castles, and vernacular architectural monuments are embedded in the today's civilization and also are the basis for the future generation endeavors. The National Blue Trail goes through the area, but shorter trips are also available. Of course, using a simple tourist map one can combined a full day excursion. We have also included a tour to Badacsony, a wine-oriented one that explains the connection between this volcanic mountain and the wine production.
After visiting the buttes, we arrive to the Káli-medence (basin) that is famous for its almond groves. In his work, The Five Geniuses, Béla Hamvas, a famous Hungarian writer, discusses the Upper as belonging to Mediterranium:
"... it seems as if people arrive to brighter and warmer land... The sunlight is whiter, almost as white as over the Mediterranean Sea. The fog disappears from the colors and they have brighter light. The outline of objects is sharper. It feels like even the atmosphere is filled with electricity... This landscape is more southern than many Italian ones... This light also shines onto the man, onto the things, and even the taste of fruit is brighter... "
The heart of this landscape is the Káli-medence. The path of the National Blue Trail cuts acrossed it. One of our tours is offers a trip to the countryside as well. Be sure not to miss: the Salföld Grange and its native animals, the Theodora Fountain in Kékkút, the Kőtenger in Szentbékkálla and Salföld, the Eötvös-highpoint in Fekete-Hegy, and the Hegyestű, which reveals the site of a basalt volcano that went extinct 5-6 million years ago. The Tihany-Penisula on the north coast is worth the visit. It will amaze you not only with its lavender landscape, but in addition to the many forests and vine-covered hills and hillocks, it also has two special ponds that hide the unique wildlife that inhabits the area.
For those who favor unique, protected species, I recommend the Kis-Balaton (southwest from Balaton) . This little lake is rich in natural and cultural values of the landscape, most of which are under strict protection. Many protected species of wildlife live here. The bird population in the area is especially colorful. Here you will find the largest buffalo reserve of the country. The area gives plenty of options to the cyclists too. A sign-posted bike path is built around the lake. Those who love the ’Stomach of a Mountain’ can also find adventures here. Among many small caves, the most prominent is the Csodabogyós cave in Balatonederics, which can be visited only with a guide and after prior arrangement. For families, there is a completely different experience by visiting the Lake Cave (Tapolca) and Lóczy Cave (Balatonfüred). Water sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to sail, kayak, windsurf, and kite. Wakeboarders can enjoy water skiing in Vonyarcvashegy where they also have excellent volleyball, handball, streetball, football fields, and a skatepark.
Hévíz is located only a few kilometers from the coast, where everything is about relaxation, regeneration, and health. Here you will find Europe's largest and deepest natural thermal lake, which benefits our health year-round with its constituted healing water. Swimming outside in the natural hot water during the winter season is an incredibly wonderful and unique experience. The thermal therapy is based on water cure, but there is also more specific medical therapy treatments that are used as well. Such as: mud wraps, the famous weight-bath, a variety of massage therapies, and drinking cures.
Culture
Lake Balaton is surrounded by charming little resorts on both the northern, and the southern shores. While visiting the northern shore, the cultural programs, the rich nature, and the vineyards entice the visitors throughout the year. During the summer, the southern shore invites everyone with its classic, free beaches and the European standard festivals with its awesome performers and multiple parties. After the summer, and during the harvests, the vineyards are buzzing and even in the winter, many of the cultural and gastronomic programs wait for visitors as well as the hot thermal water.
A nyári szezon után szüretkor pezsegnek igazán a szőlőhegyek, és télen a termálvízen kívül is rengeteg kultur- és gasztroprogram várja az idelátogatót. Itt csupán négy, számomra legjelentősebb települést ragadok ki a sok északi parti gyöngyszem közül.
Keszthely is my hometown. Its trademark is the Baroque Palace and Park built by the Festetics family in 1745 as well as other monuments connected to the Festetics family. This is Hungary's third largest and most beautifully restored castle. Whether you are looking for a classical music concert in the Mirror Hall, an outdoor theater under the centuries-old trees of the park, or would just like to enjoy a moment in the small towm atmosphere, there is always something great to do. From the Castle, a short walk lead you through down the walking path to the newly restored Main Square. History and art lovers can visit several museum exhibitions throughout the year. In the summer, we can sunbathe on only, entirely preserved and maintained, islandbath of the lake. Heading from Keszthely along the northern shore of the lake, we will stop at Szigliget. With its serious, charming, recreational, and civic studio houses, and its picturesque beauty, it is a very popular village among artists. Above the village is the commanding "Castle of Balaton".
After an hour journey we arrive at the Tihany-peninsula, which emblematic point is the Benedictine Abbey’s (founded by King Endre I in 1055) Baroque Ensemble-Building with tuff recessed crypt. This tomb has preserved the founder’s body. The church is located on top of the Mediterranean village like a crown. Many houses from the former fishing village, with only thatched houses, now functionates as open air museums, preserving traditional architectural forms of the 19th century Balaton Uplands. The east side of Óvár’s rock wall between XI. and XIV., between Greek Orthodox-Catholic, hermits hollowed out their cells, a chapel, and a dining room based on an east laura-type system. This is the only relatively intact hermit site in the Carpathian Basin and even in Central Europe. The local name of it is, hermithomes.
It's worth entering the Lavender House whenspending time in Tihany, where in addition to the vast field of lavender, the children can learn about the local flora and fauna in an interactive way. In Balatonfüred, from spring to autumn, life is fizzing. The beautiful Tagore promenade is filled with people. Our most important sailing race, the Blue Ribbon Regatta, starts here. The VinCE Balaton wine event has been held in Balatonfüred for several years now.
Weather
In a nutshell, summers are generally very warm and sunny. The temperature can reach 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, but thanks to the lake’s exceptional climate shaping attribute, and clean, cool watersurface, these dog days are always enjoyable. The weather is equally beautiful, and only slightly cooler, from mid-August to early September. Around this time, the hotels are a little cheaper, and the beaches are calmer. Spring is really beautiful. The countryside explodes with its blooming almond trees, flowers, Easter courtyards, and the bright green lawns of the shores. The middle of September and October are still cosy and intimate. The most exciting timefor the winegrower is when the harvest takes place, the grapes are being processed, and the barrels are filled with wine. From November to February, the majority of visitor have left the countryside and the area can relax a little. However, during this period there are many days when the sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly. It's also the perfect time for wine tasting and touring.