Featured Route
Balaton Lake Lap
A complete circuit of Hungary's inland sea
Distance
200 km
Duration
3 days
Start
Budapest
Best Season
May–Sep
Type
Lakeside
Overview
Lake Balaton is Central Europe's largest freshwater lake — 77 km long, warm in summer, ringed by wine villages and lavender farms. The southern shore has the best beaches. The northern shore has the best wine. Three days is the minimum — four is better.
Day by Day
Day 1 — Southern Shore
+
Drive Budapest to Siófok (1h 30m). Walk the harbour, swim if weather allows. Continue west through Zamárdi and Balatonföldvár. Overnight in Balatonboglár.
Day 2 — Keszthely, Badacsony, Tihany
+
Festetics Palace in Keszthely (€12). Badacsony volcanic vineyards — taste Olaszrizling. Tihany Abbey and lavender fields. Overnight in Balatonfüred.
Day 3 — Balatonfüred and Return
+
Morning walk on the Tagore promenade. Return via Veszprém castle. Back to Budapest, 1h 15m from Veszprém.