Central Europe's largest lake, with shallow warm water, wine hills, a peninsula of lavender and lively summer resorts. Here's what Lake Balaton is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
June to September is best, when the lake is warm, often 24°C or more, and the resorts are open. July and August are busy with Hungarian families. The wine harvest is in autumn, and the lake is very quiet in winter.
A hilly peninsula with a hilltop abbey, lavender fields and an echo.
Warm, shallow water on the south shore, great for small children.
A warm thermal lake where you can swim even in winter.
Volcanic wine hills on the north shore, with wineries and views.
A lakeside town with the grand Festetics Palace.
A 200 km bike path circles the whole lake.
Yes, especially for families. The water is shallow and warm, prices are good, and wine country and thermal baths are close by.
Fly into Budapest, then take the train or drive, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Hévíz-Balaton airport has a few seasonal flights.
The south shore has shallow, sandy beaches for families. The north shore is hillier, with vineyards and prettier villages.
June to September, around 22 to 28°C.
Very. The south shore is so shallow you can walk out a long way.
Put Lake Balaton on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.