Lake Balaton (Tihany), Hungary

Lake Balaton Tihany

A peninsula with an abbey and lavender fields on Central Europe's largest lake.

  • May–Sep
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Lake Balaton

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk up to the Tihany Abbey for the view over the lake.
  2. AfternoonFollow the trail to the inner lake and the lavender fields, best in late June and July.
  3. EveningTake the ferry to Balatonfüred and walk its lakeside promenade.

Day 2

Visit the wine hills of Badacsony or the thermal lake of Hévíz.

What to eat

Lángos on the beach and a glass of Balaton white wine.

Local tips

Make the most of Lake Balaton

Beat the crowds

July and August are busy. June and September are calmer and still warm.

Best photo spot

The Tihany Abbey towers above the lake, and the lavender fields in June and July.

Getting there

Trains and buses run from Budapest to Balatonfüred, about 2 hours, then a bus or ferry to Tihany.

Don't miss nearby

The wine hills of Badacsony and the thermal lake at Hévíz.

Good to know

The lake is shallow and warm in summer. Ferries cross between the north and south shores.

Plan your visit

Getting to Lake Balaton

Getting there

  • Hévíz–Balaton Airport (SOB)60 km away
  • Budapest Airport (BUD)120 km away
  • Pécs95 km away
  • Budapest110 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeMay–Sep
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryHungary

Questions

Lake Balaton: good to know

Is Lake Balaton worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and food. A peninsula with an abbey and lavender fields on Central Europe's largest lake.

How many days do you need in Lake Balaton?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Lake Balaton?

The best time to visit is May to Sep. July and August are busy. June and September are calmer and still warm.

How do you get to Lake Balaton?

The nearest airport is Hévíz–Balaton Airport (SOB), about 60 km away. Trains and buses run from Budapest to Balatonfüred, about 2 hours, then a bus or ferry to Tihany.

What is there to see near Lake Balaton?

Nearby hidden places include Pécs (97 km), Budapest (109 km) and Szentendre (123 km).

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