Things to do & places to visit in Lake Balaton, Hungary

Affectionately called “Hungarian Sea,” Lake Balaton is one of the largest lakes in central Europe. The mountainous region of the northern shore is known both for its historic character and its wine region, while the flat southern shore is known for resort towns.

Lake Balaton #10 destination in Hungary 2023. Timezone: Europe/Budapest, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 20:22.

Top things to do (23)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Túrajó (110 reviews)
- Absolutely Fantastic ❤️
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Walking Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

The team of Turajo is really nice and alsó the program offers. I had fantastic time-travelling tour at Inota, former power plant building. I visited it twice with my friends, i think it is a great cultural program where you can go back to time and you can get an insight into the workers life and the function of the building. I will go again, I am sure. Thank you for the experience ❤️ See more..
5.0 High Tech Sports Base 3 (74 reviews)
- Great family fun and so easy
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Segway Tours

A great couple of hours on the beginners tour. With kids aged 8,10,17 this a great activity for all and is a great leveller. Superb briefing and instruction in English. The tour is a very enjoyable way to see Heviz. See more..
5.0 High-Tech Sports Base 4 (69 reviews)
- Don't miss, this is a must!!!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Segway Tours

We booked a 2 hours tour by phone. We were glad to here that the instructor, Gàbor speaks fluent english. He is funny and has lots of patience. For 3 of us, it was the very first time, and after 5 minutes they felt confortable to ride with no fear.. The Segways are all in perfect condition, the view and way was very nice. Thanks for this wonderful experience.. See more..
5.0 Németh Pince (51 reviews)
- Best wine in Hungary!
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Absolutely lovely place. We've been here several years ago and it's only getting better! The owner's daughter speaks excellent English and is a great introduction to the world of Nemeth's wines. Delicious snacks: bread, ham and cheese. A must-have accessory for your tasting! Lovely, homely atmosphere. It's fun to be a part of it! See more..
5.0 Bella Animal Park Siofok (48 reviews)
- It is a must to see with little kids
Friday: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos

Our animal park is only 5 km from the centre of Siófok, we are waiting for our dear guests in a beautiful environment every day, so on weekends and feast-days. Taking a walk at our Zoo Park along with the colorful programs we offer, is a perfect pastime for any generation. The information on our website will help you to plan your trip at our place. Petting zoo where you can see: camels, lamas, alpaccas, horses, ponys, mini-ponys, donkeys, goats, sheeps, zebus, peacocks, parrots, emus, cats, rabbits and many more are waiting our dear guests. Horse, pony and camel riding is available for children with an attendant. If you love nautre and animals, visit us and spend a nice time here! Our goal is to provide a great opportunity for animal- and nature lovers prominent spare time activities. See more..
5.0 Malom Lake (44 reviews)
- Picture Perfect
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Scenic Walking Areas

We visited this picture perfect waterside square for the second time and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a beautiful setting for a walk, or to sit in one of the cafes and enjoy the views of the sherbet coloured buildings and the picturesque water wheel. The little ‘lake’ leads down onto a river, which I guess is man made, and both are filled with more Koi Carp than I have ever seen before! You can buy food to feed the fish and ducks. There’s also a museum of work by painter and sculptor Laszlo Marton but we didn’t go in. See more..
5.0 Szép Look-out (35 reviews)
- Scenic view of the Balaton
Lookouts

It is a view point at the North part of Lake Balaton. You have a beautiful view for Badacsony and other hilla in the neighbourhood and to the Keszthely Bay on the other side. You can just sit and watch the water or ghe sky because there are some benches there. It is ose to the road but quite silent. It has a car park, you have to walk only one minute from there. See more..
5.0 ValiBor-Vali Peter Boraszata (27 reviews)
- Valubor Winery- Excellent!!!
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

The whole experience was top ten on my wineries list, excellency on wines, food above any expectations, the staff (the owner) so friendly!!!! If in the neighborhood don’t miss it, or plan a trip there, totally worth! See more..
4.5 Thermal Lake of Hévíz (1.961 reviews)
- Thermal relaxation
Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Thermal Spas

The lake of Hévíz is the biggest biologically active, natural medicinal water in the world. Its temperature is affected by the combination of cold and hot spring waters coming from underground. The medicinal water breaks out from the spring cave on the surface at the rate of approx. 410 litres per second and with a temperature of 40°C. According to that delivery, the water in the lake changes every three and a half days and keeps uniformly clean. See more..
4.5 Festetics Palace (598 reviews)
- Nice castle park and exhibitions
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Castles

Castle park and exhibitions were also very nice. We bought combined ticket for ~13€/person which is valid for 6 exhibitions including Palace Museum, Coach Exhibition, Hunting Exhibition, Model Railway Exhibition, Travelling Aristocrats Exhibition, Palm House & Bird Park. All of them were very interesting and entertaining. Definitely worth the price. Visiting all of them is quite time-consuming but these tickets are valid for two days. Highly recommended for everybody. P.S. If you want to take photos you must buy photo permit for additional ~5€. See more..
4.5 Bences Apatsag (305 reviews)
- Very nice and well preserved abbey.
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Religious Sites

The original abbey was established by King Andras I in the 11th century. See more..
4.5 Veszprem Zoo (298 reviews)
- A Great Zoo!
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Zoos

Zoo Veszprem is situated just 15 km from Lake Balaton, and it is the most favoured destination of tourists in the Central Transdanubian Region. The Zoo, which located in a beautiful environment awaits visitors every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. Beside seeing interesting animals, spectacular feeding actions, petting pens and organised events make the offer of the Zoo more colourful. Let’s explore the wonderful world of the animals! See more..
4.5 Szigliget Castle (268 reviews)
- Great view, worth visiting
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

Thousand year old castles with great views are my favorite places to visit in Europe. Sziglet has 'only' been around since the 13th century, and it's layout and history are pretty standard- but the view of lake Balaton is fantastic. Surprisingly, many of the explanations on the history of the castle are in English, and detail the strategic placing of the castle as well as its history. Free parking, easy to get to by car. See more..
4.5 Tagore Promenade (260 reviews)
- Fantastic space
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

We are still amazed at the Fantastic Job that city planners have made in Hungary. This is a fantastic space, long, wide, with rows of plated trees already very tall and mature. With shops, pubs, ice cream parlors, and restaurants, the yacht club, street vendors in an orderly manner. Immaculate condition...Just beautiful. There are all kind of entertainment happening for free, dancers, musicians...everything happens there....I felt in love with that promenade and Balatonfured! See more..
4.5 Holy Spirit Catholic Church (214 reviews)
- Lovely church
Churches & Cathedrals

Beautiful church. After a day in the sun, you can go and refresh your soul in this wonderful church. See more..
4.5 Laposa Birtok (208 reviews)
- Grandious View of the Lake
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Azt gondoljuk, csodára leltünk a világ e kis zugában. Itt szeretnénk olyan borokat készíteni, melyek soha nem téveszthetők össze más borvidékekről származókkal. Olyan borokat, melyek kérdezés nélkül mesélnek arról, honnan származnak, milyen ott a tél és a nyár, hogyan cseperedtek és hogyan váltak zsenge kamaszból felnőtté. Olyan borokat, melyekben minden íz fellelhető, de egyik sem tolakszik, melyekben érezhető mind a természet ereje, mind a mögötte álló ember tudatossága. See more..
4.5 Castle Hill (Veszpremi Varhegy) (198 reviews)
- A Great Historical Site!
Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas

A charming district intersected by winding medieval streets and filled with quaint houses and grand palaces, shops, restaurants and a variety of interesting museums. See more..
4.5 Helikon Castle Museum (100 reviews)
- A place to go
Spent 1-2 hours Castles • History Museums

This castle is set in the town of Keszthely on Lake Balaton. The Castle is set in parkland. You can enter the parkland for free and wander around taking in the view of the town , the fountains and the trees. Helikon Castle is really a grand palace. There is a museum complex of four buildings and here you will find five exhibitions. In the Coach House there is a wonderful exhibition of carriages and one can have a ride around the estate in a horse drawn carriage too. One of the wonderful features of this palace is the historical model railway exhibition. .The palace now belongs to the state but was own until WW2 by the Festetics family who still have apartments in the building. This castle (or palace) is a treat not to be missed if you visit Lake Balaton See more..
4.5 Keszthely Kastell (98 reviews)
- Lovely Park and Café
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

This is quite a lovely castle with grounds that you can walk around in at no charge. Stop at the cute café (sit outdoors if weather permits) and enjoy a coffee; the pastries are decorated in neon colors and weirdly tempting however I didn't try any. If you are a guest at the cafe the use of the WC is free; a waiter will open the turnstyle for you. See more..
4.5 Herend Porcelanium (96 reviews)
- My favourite porcelain figurines
Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Factory Tours

As a collector of Herend porcelain figurines and other pieces such as dishes, I often visit the plans and flagship store, to view the newest pieces, and purchase a few. On leaving the country, I get most of the VAT back. See more..
4.5 Mary Magdalene church in Egregy (68 reviews)
- Air conditioned
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals

You can enter anytime. There is limited windows. There is a staircase inside so you can look down on the aisle. Outside you have to find off road parking especially as there is a narrow road. The view is amazing. Just visit it. There are excellent places to eat nearby especially on the lower road. See more..
4.5 Tihany Echo (64 reviews)
- Breathtaking view, very tasty dishes, courteous staff.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The view of Balaton from the upper terrace is unbeatable. All dishes we had were all excellent. The duck confite was the prepared exceptionally well, by far the best duck dish I’ve ever had. Staff is courteous. See more..
4.5 Kossuth Lajos Drinking Hall (62 reviews)
- Try the unique local metal-water
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The drinking hall has 4 button-operated taps. The water is cool and tastes a bit like iron, but well balanced. Good opportunity to refill some metal in your blood. > ) We've took home some in bottles, just for the special taste. See more..
4.5 Ortorony Lookout Tower (47 reviews)
- The most panoramic viewpoint on lake Balaton
Spent 1-2 hours Lookouts

You have to walk half an hour before you get there, crossing a forest. Use suitable shoes! Then you have to climb some flights of stairs but finally you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire lake. See more..
4.5 Via Dolorosa (40 reviews)
- Worthy to walk at the top
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

Nice place, only short walk needed to get at the top. Statues on calvary are spectacular. Also nice view on abbey, Tihany and lake. See more..
4.0 Lake Cave (447 reviews)
- Short but unique experience
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Caverns & Caves

Foreign visitors should be aware that the guided tour is only in Hungarian. (Rumor has it that there’s audio guide in English, but I’m not sure since I’m Hungarian and didn’t need translation). The tour guide was knowledgeable, funny and attentive. The information was neither too much nor too little. The boat ride was fun, the water crystal clear, the path quite adventurous. Not recommended for claustrophobic people. :-) See more..
4.0 Siofok Water Tower (433 reviews)
- Panorama view of Siófok
Points of Interest & Landmarks

I think the tower was renovated since my last visit to Siófok. It's a tall tower and if you go up you'll have a really nice view of the city and the Balaton. You go up to the first floor with an elevator that is fully from glass, so you can see how high you're at. On the first floor there's a café, you can go around and see the view from 360 degrees. The floor also has terrace with telescopes. Then you can go up one more floor on a tiny staircase. This is the peak of the tower. Here you can enjoy the view from 360 degrees by just sitting at a table. They call it panorama view (or something like that), because the floor itself goes around. We didn't try this because it was so slow and was full already. The entrance fee is around 800 HUF/person which is okay for the experience. If you're in Siófok you should see the tower, it's worth it. :) See more..
4.0 Folly Arboretum and Winery (99 reviews)
- Beautiful place, even nicer views to the lake
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wine Tours & Tastings

The arboretum has a wonderful history and its beautifully kept family owned place. You can easily have a good hours stroll in the park and walk up to the lookout, then enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake Balaton at their restaurant with some really nice wine selection. I thought the entrance fee is quite pricey for what you see and the restaurant staff was all over the place, rushing and not paying attention to you... maybe that can be worked on. See more..
4.0 Hèvízi Termelői Piac (89 reviews)
- Wellnesstrip
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

The Heviz Piac one of the famose Markets around the Lake Balaton. Their are you find a lot of handmades and old thinks. Also you find a lot of fruits and vegetables including the original Hungarian pepper. We come back in 2020 See more..
4.0 Sphere Lookout (75 reviews)
- Balatonboglar lookout dome
Spent < 1 hour Lookouts

This is a fantastic place to visit if you are coming to Balaton in Hungary. You have a fab view of the lake and surrounding area. It's very cheap to go into the dome and there are lots of opportunities for photos. The surrounding area and woodlands are great to explore and it a fab place for a picnic.Take plenty of sun cream if you are going in the height of summer as when we were there I'm the temperature was over 30 degrees See more..