Lake Balaton, The Hungarian Sea, Hungary (with Map & Photos)

100 km west of Budapest, Lake Balaton is the preferred summer resort for Hungarians. With 256 km of coastline (595 km² in area), the lake is home to spas, beaches (to the south), cliffs (to the north) and magnificent towns such as Balatonfüred, Tihany and Keszthely. Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe, it enjoys an exceptional microclimate and its water temperature can reach 26ºC in summer. Attractions that explain a record tourist influx since the hot days arrive and the main drawback of a hotel infrastructure, sometimes in bad taste on the south shore.

Lake Balaton Hungary
Lake Balaton Hungary

Briefly about Lake Balaton


Balaton is the famous lake in Hungary, the largest freshwater reservoir in Central Europe. The inhabitants of the country themselves call it the "Hungarian Sea" for its grandiose size, unusual landscape, unique, iodine-rich, purest water and a special microclimate. Balaton is the most important resort center in Hungary. People come here for beach and outdoor activities, as well as for treatment and rehabilitation: there are many thermal and mineral healing springs around the lake.

Lake Balaton Hungary
Lake Balaton Hungary

History and Modernity


Millions of years ago, there was a sea on the site of Lake Balaton. As a result of volcanic activity, the local landscape has changed a lot, and the sea has risen. These places were inhabited in the Iron Age, in later times the Romans, Slavs, Germans lived here. In the XVIII century. around the lake, the local nobility began to build their mansions, at the same time hydropathic clinics arose. And at the end of the XIX century. Balaton was already a popular resort area.

Lake Balaton Hungary
Lake Balaton Hungary

Lake Balaton in Hungary is often called the "Hungarian Sea", since there is no sea in the country, but this body of water resembles it - both in size and color. Depending on the sunlight, Balaton acquires either a light green or an azure blue hue. Freshwater Lake Balaton has long become a popular resort in Europe: people from different countries, with different levels of income, alone and with the whole family come here in winter and summer.

Lake Balaton Map