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Lake Balaton

Balaton There is no second place like the Lake Balaton. The Balaton had always had a special weight in this territorially small country. If the foreigner wants to find Hungary on the globe, he must only search with his finger toward the remarkable blue spot in the heart of Europe. The largest fresh water lake in West and Central Europe has more than only a regional meaning. Remarkable is the Lake Balaton additionally, because there is no other tourist magnet in Hungary like this bath water. Millions of tourists invade this piece of land every year, mainly theSouthern Bank that belongs to Somogy. This bank is particularly interesting for families with little children, because the bottom descends very slowly and the lake can be walked into for several hundred yards. At the same time this circumstance promotes also the natural warming up of the everywhere relatively flat bath water.

Beach life at Lake Balaton Even if these information pages are particularly about Southern Transdanubia theNorthern Bank will not be excluded in the description of the Balaton, the lake forms one unit and the banks are also connected with passenger liners and between Szántód andTihány with a car ferry as well. However if you are looking about information of theSomogy countryside and the manythermal baths of this region you won't find anything here, because about these topics there are separate chapters within the tourist information.
              
Baranya Somogy thermal baths Tolna
 
But the Balaton is not only a lake, the sky and the landscape which surround it belongs inseparably to its picture. The colour of Lake Balaton is only with difficulty to determine, cyan, grey-blue, yellowish-green, an opal something similar, mat-shining bluish-greenish-yellow, even the best painters can't mix it only without difficulty. Evening at Lake Balaton If we drive around the enormous lake, from Aliga on theNorthern Bank over the large curve fromKeszthely toSiófok, then we see on the left the line of the lakeshore, on the right of the varied Mediterranean scenery of the contrast landscape. The sight of the opposite bank, grasping from the north the hills ofSomogy, always accompanies us looking from the South to the North; the landscape carved up by the mountains. The average width of the lake amounts to seven miles. However sometimes we seem to be able to grip over from one bank on the other. If we make a journey around the lake, we approach like most travellers do from the West and select ourselves first theSouthern Bank lain in Somogy.

Sport and Entertainment

Folklore dancing Horse riding into the surroundings Pleasure on the beach Sailing is favourite sport on the lake Your sporty activities at Lake Balaton are set no borders. Everywhere at the lake are possibility for sailing, in nearly each place you can hire sailing boats or participate in sail courses. Each year various national and sailing events take place as well. A further highpoint is the annual Balatoncrossing fromBalatonboglár toRévfülöp at the north side, everybody who things to be able to swim the 3 miles distance may take place. A further popular kind of sport is tennis. Beside the mentioned there is multiplicity of further possibilities to sport. Apart from riding, there are about 25 riding schools at the Balaton; football and volleyball (particularly at the beach) are very popular. Also in the night the Balaton does not sleep. For the younger public the innumerable discotheques offer a program. Especially worth mentioning isSiófok, Hungary is a paradise for angler Horse show With lots of passenger liners one can explore the Lake Disco the city has to offer with innumerable clubs, bars and dance temples a completely special night atmosphere. A further highlight the Disco ship is that alternating leaving from either Balatonboglár orFonyód. Among the largest open-air festivals at the lake Balaton is the "Coca Cola Beach House" - it takes place every year in August in Siófok at the beach. Those who are more interested in the classical evening entertainment should really visit one of the many organ concerts (for example inTihány or Köröshegy) or select one of the various offers of folklore and music programs, which take place in each larger place.



The Southern Bank

Exactly the same as the lake descends very flat, the country rises very flat first. Parts are just sanded others as aroundFonyód are dried up by men. However you only need a few miles and you are in the middle inside the hilly countryside. The South offers a clear contrast to the traveller to theNorthern Bank.

Kis Balaton

The Little Balaton is a nature reserve The size of Lake Balaton decreased in the last centuries, especially in the West. The today isolated Lake Small Balaton (Kis Balaton) was in former times connected with the large lake, while today a marshy piece of land separates the two waters. Also this land is drying out more and more by human influence and is used agriculturally mostly.


Balatonszentgyörgy

Gyula Csárda The village Balatonszentgyörgy is situated some miles away from Lake Balaton. In a classical Wood-Frame-House is shown a plastic  exhibition of former country life and the up to the today's day kept folklore art. At this as in many other places people are interested to maintain their historical traditions in daily life and not to leave them to the tourist industry only. Here also the Gyula Csárda lures visitors with a unique modern architecture, a generous, stony reflection to the tents of the nomadic Magyars.


Balatonberény

The little, sleepy vacation resort with approximately 1,300 inhabitants welcomes the traveller, who takes the View over Balatonberény small street along the Balaton from the West, as the first village in the south of the large lake. Welcome to the country of Somogy. Often it won't be found in this area, but tourism does not dominate everything here. Beside the everywhere at the lake found large beaches you find the only nudist beach at the Lake Balaton here as well. Also anglers and wanderers get here exactly what they are looking for. From the many promenades around the place one has a beautiful view onto the Keszthely Mountains on the opposite bank of the Balaton. Particularly beautifully is however the panorama out of the vineyards of the village.


Balatonfenyves

Sight on the Lake From The narrow-gauge railway also uses historical trains here a narrow-gauge railway leads through the former morass Nagyberek, the "large wood", to the thermal bath Csisztapuszta. Most parts of the village are constructed on the in the 19th Century dried marshy land. Balatonfenyves is also well known for it's riding school. In the summer months numerous cultural events and festivals take place in the village. In the environment of the place there are many wine gardens, since on the fruitful sandy soil the grapes grow very well and remain exempted from phylloxera.


Fonyód

Fonyód is very green Fonyód is one of the larger places at the Somogy bank of Lake Balaton. The place lies between the two summits of a directly at the lake standing mountain and offers not only a very beautiful centre, but appears in some parts with its narrow, devoured streets the impression of a small town in the mountains. The yacht harbour of Fonyód In Fonyód one can observe from the summits the probably most beautiful and most spectacular sunset at the Balaton. You can admire here not only the great panorama at the lake opposite the volcanic cone of the Badacsony, from the port - the second largest at the Balaton - also ferries operate to this area of wine cultivation. The generously built place offers much green in parks and the recovery forest. Annually in the summer open-air festivals are organised in memory of the Turkish siege of the village. From 1550 to 1573 this place at Lake Balaton successfully resisted the attacks of the Osman armies.


Balatonboglár

In the Museum Of Wine The 4,500 inhabitants counting village is located between the places Fonyód and Balatonlelle. In the year 1211 the village first was mentioned documentary, the region around Boglár is however already for approximately 6000 years settled. Since the end of the 19th Century the place is one of the largest vacation resorts at the Balaton, 1912 Boglár was declared as therapeutic bath. Balatonboglár In this time also the new port had been developed. The largest beach is the Platánstrand, in whose proximity each year in the summer the two largest festivals of Balatonboglár take place, the Boglár wine vintage and the Balaton Atuszas, the Balatoncrossing. In the castle Szölöskislak nearby a very beautiful wine museum can be visited. This way it is not amazing that in this village the largest wine producer of the Balaton region resides.


Balatonlelle

Centre of the recreation Radpuszta area is the Szent István Tér (Saint Steven's Place). At the fountain on the place frequently musicians play up in the summer; the place is bordered by some restaurants and shops. On the side the pedestrian precinct starts at the place, which also offers the visitor many shops, bars and discotheques. To the other side the way leads to the mole, from which you can enjoy an incomparable view over the lake. Balatonlelle has a completely natural jewel. The heath landscape Látrányi is a protected nature reserve of unique quality. Fast draining sand hills, damp meadows and small forests accommodate a rare animals and plants. In this heath landscape is Radpuszta lain as well, where we find a church ruin from the Middle Ages, which is worth seeing.

Balatonföldvár

The place is situated at the slope of a small mountain of about 150 feet above the water level of the lake that allows a marvellous view. Once there stood a Celtic earth castle (Hungarian: Földvár), from which the place got its name. Today Balatonföldvár is a modern vacation resort with approximately 8,000 guest beds. The beach offers to many guests' recovery and also an open-air stage and an open-air cinema invites the vacation guests. The busy centre and the calm local part Köröshegy offer the suitable environment to each visitor and make Földvár one of the most beautiful places at the Balaton.

Zamárdi

Over 6 miles length extends Zamárdi at the Southern bank of the Balaton, a place which is divided - like so many other places on this Bank - by the railway and the road M7 into bath and old village. The first mentioning of the settlement receives from the year 1082. In 16th century Zamárdi Typical Somogy house was completely destroyed by the Turkish conquerors and it took a long time before a redevelopment, until the 30's of the 18th century the village didn't exist. Hundred years later the number of the tourists rose so strongly, that very many hotels, beaches and business were established. Today Zamárdi is a modern vacation resort with a beautiful, 2 miles long beach. Two moles lead out far into the lake and can be used by sailors and anglers.

Siófok

Paprika on the market Siófok is considered as the tourist's capital of the Balaton. With 24,000 inhabitants is the city largest and most well known place at the Lake Balaton. The first settlements developed probably already at the Roman time in the 3rd to 4th century. The river Sió was already at that time canalised to drain of the Balaton. And still today the adjustment of the water level of the lake is regulated by the Sió canal. From the time of Turkish occupation originates the still today largest port at Lake Balaton, which functions also as winter accommodation of the passenger ships. Park in Siófok Among the objects of interest of the town is the water tower from the year 1912 on the central Szabadság tér and the József Beszedes museum (at the Sió Bridge), where one can experience everything over the history of the region of the Balaton. In the summer months festivals take place at the beaches of Siófok's, innumerable open-air events and the best known and largest among them is the "Coca Cola Beach House".


The Northern Bank

The mountain landscape of the Bakony and the volcanic cones of the Badacsony come down to the lakeshore. According to little space remaining for the settlement mostly small villages were formed against the slope. Therefore only little space rested for tourism, however also it's role here is not underestimating here as well. The lakeshore drops also under water faster than in the South, so that here bath waters are both more deeply and somewhat cooler. But just that is refreshing in the hot summer, when the water on the Southern Bank reaches almost thermal bath temperatures.


Balatonalmádi

Balatonalmádi is a pictorial place, which is surrounded by hills and small mountains all around. For enthusiastic sportsmen Much is offered here. Examples are swimming, rowing and sailing, tennis and volleyball, cycling and riding. In the Northern suburb Vörösberényi the 13th century fortress-church on a small mountain can be visited. The walls with many details are kept excellently.

Alsóörs

Alsóörs lies in the centre of the so-called Balaton Riviera. The spring is the best travel time for this region. Then everywhere the trees have blossoms in the most beautiful colours and the region reminds strongly of the French-Italian Riviera. However the very old locality, erected at the slope of a hill, is particularly popular among travellers in the summer as well. Both can be found here by the tourist sand and lawn beaches. Here entertainment and culture programs are offered. The beach of Alsóörs The houses of the old village, which are constructed from red sandstone, offer still today an impressive sight to the visitor. Beside many old farmhouses we see not only numerous wine gardens but also a lot of wine cellars. In Alsóörs one of the largest discotheques of the Balaton region can be found with the "Dexion".

Balatonfüred

Landing-place of Balatonfüred The city Balatonfüred was already in the 18th century well known for its carbonic-acid wells. Already briefly after the discovery of the wells the place was declared to be a therapeutic bath, soon the ascent began to the health resort of the aristocracy and upper class. Villa of the poet Mór Jókai Balatonfüred is considered still today as very splendours place, which knew to retain its historical flair. In the North surrounded by mountains and limited by the Balaton in the South Füred is very delightfully situated. The lanes, bordered by large, shady trees, behind which many villas and manor are hidden. Between the port and the central place we find the city park, which is already since more than one hundred years home of many rare plants. The large sailing regattas of Lake Balaton start from this port. The numerous architectural monuments of the city originate mainly from the 18th and 19 century, when many well known artists and politician lived here.

Tihány

Tihány is the only peninsula in Lake Balaton. The area is rich at nature beauty and historical monuments. The most well known object of interest is the funeral place of king Andrew I from the year 1055, over which a monastery was built. The Turks were not able to conquer the fortress monastery, the two 1752 built baroque towers are still today the symbol of the peninsula. Abbey of Tihány The peninsula In the monastery the gallery of the Benedict abbey can be found, which accommodate each summer the most different exhibitions. It is worth to explore also the remaining area. The many small, from basalt and reed established houses, as well as the many small museums - like the doll museum or the originally restored and furnished houses of the fisher and farmer of Tihány - should be visited. Peace can be found at the small lake in the centre of the peninsula, approximately 100 feet above the water level of the Balaton. In spring the entire peninsula flowers in magnificent colours and in the summer months it offers with its many exhibitions and celebrations as the Tihány Opera Festivals, a lot of entertainment to the visitor. From its south point also the only car ferry crosses the Balaton to the Southern Bank.

Révfülöp

The centre of Révfülöp is lain at the foot of a 886 feet high mountain, between the two tongues of land nearby Szigilet and Csaszta. Such a place where the wonder world of the volcanic summits is reflected by the water surely can't be found a second time in the world. The surroundings offer many possibilities for trips: Ruin of a church at Révfülöp The curiosities of the protected reserve of the potash basin lain in the proximity, the Kőtenger (stone sea) in Kővágoörs, the crater lake of the Fekete Hegy (black mountain), the famous springs, the rich plant and animal world and in the villages the folklore and historical objects of interest, as well as various cultural events. Already in time of the Árpáds at the port a small fishing village was formed. In the year 1548 the Turks burned down the place during their conquest of Hungary completely and them Révülöp remained left in the following time. Not till the 18th Century Révfülöp became a settlement again.

Badacsony

The vulcano from far away Wine connoisseurs and wine lovers should go onto a trip here an in any case, to the 1,431 ft high, extinct volcano Badacsony, lain directly on the banks of the Balaton. The excellent wine from the Badacsony Here you are expected by an excellent drop of good wine. The Pauline monks cultivate from the grapes of this exposed place the delicious "Badacsony Grey Monk" since centuries. For enjoying the wine best you could visit one of the beautiful, approximately 200 years old winepress houses first, as for example that special one with the museum for Balaton Literature. In the popular wine restaurant in the baroque Kisfaludy house you will learn to estimate the savoury Pauline elixir. Exactly as the fantastic prospect from the old, romantic veranda, which is not inferior to the view from the observation tower on the summit of the mountain.

Szigliget

Also in Szigliget we find a ruin from bygone times The vacation resort retained its pictorial original. In the hart of the village the reed-covered houses are under monument protection, the ruins of the in the 13th century established castle witness from an eventful history. Peace can be found in the idyllic park of the castle Esterházy. Since generations writers and poets are inspired by the as pictorial as peaceful environment.


Keszthely

The castle of the Earls of Festetics The gate to the castle's park Keszthely is with 23,000 inhabitants the second largest settlement at the Balaton, however the only one, which carries the name city by right. It is lain at the foot of the mountains, which carry the same name in an age-old settlement area. Already the Romans settled here due to the good geographical situation at the most extreme west Lake Balaton. In the year 1247 the city the first time was mentioned and recorded already 1421 as market town. In the centre of the 16th century the Turks did not succeed in conquering the city. The 14th century fortress-monastery of St. Francis offered more than sufficient protection to the citizens. The famous Helikon library in the castle On the market The gloss time and the ascent of the place began approximately in 18th century, when Kristof Festetics, of the famous aristocratic family, took over rule and established the castle, which is considered today as one of the most splendours castles in entire Hungary. The members of the family advanced city and region a lot. Thus they initiated in the 18th century for example the hospital, High School, the elementary school and the agrarian university. When in the 19th century the connection to the railway network took place, Keszthely developed also as cure and bath resort with all conceivable equipment. Besides that we find in the city an exceptional accumulation of cultural monuments and objects of interest, which doesn't has its-same at the Balaton. Keszthely is today the ideal place at the Balaton to experience urban flair.

Hévíz

The thermal lake The health resort Hévíz ranks among the probably most well known places of Hungary. Water-lilies on the thermal lake The Hévíz thermal lake is worldwide the second largest lake only fed by warm, healthy water, it has a size of 11 acres and is approx. 120 feet deep. The lake is fed by an underground thermal source, it has depending upon season a temperature between 80° and 95°C. Already the old Romans knew the curable effect of the Hévíz of water and used them also. In the year 1795 Earl Festetics developed the place to the therapeutic bath, in which he established different bathhouses and health resort facilities. Nowadays cure about 900. 000 visitors annually in this uniquely natural landscape.  

       
Hungary   History   Famous Hungarians   Thermal Baths
       
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Magyar Kúria Real Estate Limited with office in Várong, nearby the thermal bath of Igal in Hungary, looks at herself not as real estate agent only, but mostly as service enterprise around the subject real estate, it doesn't matter whether used or for construction of your house or vacation-home, on your own or a by us purchased property, as a vacation-house, or for living there. On behalf a house in the tourist centres, as for example Siófok at Lake Balaton we can offer you your own farmhouse in a for village tourism interesting settlements, or just a townhouse in Kaposvár, Pécs or other towns. We will help you with your cure or vacation and also if you plan to invest between Balaton and Drava, we work for you in the komitats Somogy, Tolna and Baranya. For all questions you can contact our customers service.