Day trip · South-west of Budapest
Central Europe’s largest lake: the abbey of Tihany, the Festetics Palace at Keszthely, the thermal lake at Hévíz, the vineyards of Badacsony, and how to get there.
Day trip feature
Warm, shallow water, beaches on one shore and vineyards on the other: Lake Balaton is where Hungary goes to holiday.
Swim from the south shore’s beaches, visit the abbey of Tihany, and bathe in the warm thermal lake of Hévíz.
Read the full back story below, then plan your trip.
The back story
The Hungarian sea: Central Europe’s largest lake, with an abbey on a peninsula, palaces, a thermal lake and volcanic wine hills.
Founded in 1055
A Benedictine abbey founded in 1055 on the Tihany peninsula, with views over the lake.
A baroque palace
The grand baroque palace of the Festetics family in Keszthely, with a famous library.
Kastély utca 1Explore View on map
Swim in a thermal lake
One of the largest thermal lakes in the world where you can swim, warm all year round.
Volcanic vineyards
A volcanic hill on the north shore of Lake Balaton, covered in vineyards and wine cellars.
Promenade and villas
An elegant spa town on the north shore, with a lakeside promenade.
Views over the lake
The ruins of a medieval castle on a hill above the north shore, with wide views.
About two hours
Trains run from Budapest to towns on both shores in around two hours; the drive takes about the same.
Been to Lake Balaton? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.