A Region of Resorts
Badacsony
The four wine-growing villages at the foot of the distinctive box-shaped mountain of Badacsony are pleasant and welcoming, but it is the home-grown wine and views from the forested hillside that attract the crowds. The national park on the flat top of the mountain is well worth exploring and has a number of spectacular lookout posts.
Balatonfüred
The elegant town of Balatonfüred, with its Baroque high street, was one of the first tourist towns on Balaton and maintains an air of elegance and superiority even today. The origins of its opulence can partly be traced back to the town's mineral springs ("füred" means "baths") and the town is now home to one of Europe's top heart hospitals. In the 19th century, Balatonfüred was something of an artists colony famously patronised by Hungarian opera legend Lujza Blaha and famous author and politician Mór Jókai.
Hévíz
The spa town is not actually on Balaton, but it is near enough to Keszthely to make it a worthy day trip if the weather turns cold. The water of the exotic Gyógy-tó is warm enough to swim in all year round, even when there is snow on the roofs of the wooden structure that extends over the thermal lake. The town itself is a collection of spa hotels and spa complexes.
Keszthely
Keszthely, on the westernmost tip of the lake, is the only town that does not live entirely from tourism, making it worth visiting even in winter, when the lake is frozen and often suitable for walking and skating on. The pedestrian street in the town centre and the Festetics Castle are the main attractions, as well as the beaches and sailing possibilities. If you are in Keszthely, it is worth making the trip to Héviz.
Siófok
The party capital of Balaton, Siófok is where the crowds go on July and August weekends, culminating in the public holiday on 20 August. The focal point is the Coca-Cola Beach House where big-name Hungarian bands play to the sun-baked revellers. The promenade along the beach front is a hedonist hotspot with enough bars and restaurants for a small city.
Tihany
The rocky peninsula that almost splits Balaton a third of the way along attracts hoards of visitors in the summer season, and the beautiful Abbey Church and the Benedictine Monastery hark back to this small town's early life as a religious centre. However, the wilds of the national park – Hungary's first – is large enough to provide an escape the crowds if necessary. Tihany can be approached by bus from nearby Balatonfüred or by ferry from Siófok, Szántód and Balatonföldvár.
Zalakaros
A state-of-the-art bathing complex has recently been created in the village of Zalakaros, 30 kilometres south of Keszthely. Designed for the mass spa tourist market, high-quality relaxation is guaranteed. Nature lovers will also feel at home in the surrounding countryside, where you will find birds, wildlife and even a bison reserve.
Car Hire
All the major international players in the car rental market are present in Hungary. If you are planning to extend your trip to neighbouring countries, make sure you clear it with the hire company, some companies have restrictions on taking rental cars into bordering countries.
COMPANIESAvis
Tel.: +36 1 318 4240
Budget Rent a Car
Tel.: +36 1 214 0420
Europcar Inc.
Tel.: +36 1 477 1090
National
Tel.: +36 1 477 1083
Fox Autorent
Tel.: +36 1 382 9000/9003
Hertz
Tel.: +36 1 296 0997
Americana Rent-a-Car
Tel.: +36 1 350 2542
Recentcar
Tel.: +36 30 474 1826
Spa towns
Hungary is afloat on a rich reservoir of thermal water that breaks the surface through thousands of springs, and the Balaton region has more than its fair share of them. If you’re feeling stressed, have nagging aches or just fancy a lick of luxury to your bathing, this is the place to be. Furthermore, you don't need to come in summer – spa holidays can be taken all year round, and make a wonderfully different winter break. As well as enjoying a warming soak, you can also take advantage of a wide range of cheaply priced health and beauty treatments – from massages and mudpacks to physiotherapy and dental work. Put yourself in the hands of the qualified experts, and allow them to soothe your body and mind.
The spa town of Hévíz is nestled on the world’s second-largest thermal lake. The lake is open all year – the mineral-rich water rarely drops below 26ºC in temperature – and in winter you can wallow snugly as the steam rises from the surface. The thermal centres at Kehidakustány and Zalakaros are also open whatever the season, and are suitable for the whole family. Parents can indulge in treatments while the kids splash about in the ‘fun bath’. Zalakaros is recommended for the relief of arthritis thanks to a combination of medicinal baths and generations of expertise.
All these thermal complexes are well provided with spa hotels offering ‘wellness’ packages, and you’ll also find such hotels at Siófok, Balatonfüred, Bük and Tapolca – the latter perched above a deep cave whose humid air has long been known to alleviate asthma. So why not treat yourself? For a few pounds, you can feel a million dollars – and bathe away those winter blues!
North and West of Lake Balaton there are many spa resorts. The oldest and most famous is at Hévíz five miles from Keszthely, featuring Europe's largest thermal lake, the world's second largest. The first spa here was opened in 1795. With a temperature that rarely goes below 85-90 degrees, regardless of the season, Héviz has such voluminous springs feeding it that the entire lake replenishes itself every 24 hours. The therapeutic power of minerals of Lake Héviz is so strong that it is recommended to limit your soaking to 20 minutes at a time. An enclosed causeway leads to the center of the lake where you'll find a palacsinta (crepe) bar, massage, float rental and other services. Stay at a deluxe spa hotel close to the lake or in one of the many apartments or houses that may be rented.
While some spas, such as Hévíz or Sárvár are close to castles and vineyards, others like Bük Spa are located in areas packed with active vacation opportunities like golf or horseback riding.
After a few days of mud packs, relaxation therapy, massage and soaking, return to Budapest revitalized and rejuvenated - and fly home feeling years younger!
(read more...)
Find out more about Lake Balaton! You can download an e-brochure here or visit the region's official website.
Driving in Hungary
There is a zero tolerance policy with respect to drink driving, if you consume a drop of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Outside urban areas, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 motorways are toll roads, stickers must be purchased in advance at petrol stations and on-line. A four day pass costs 1170 Ft, a weekly pass 2550 Ft, and a monthly pass 4200 Ft.
Taxis
Outside the capital, taxi drivers are less prone to unscrupulous pricing and can usually be flagged down on the street without any problems. Ask what the fare will be to the destination before departure. Always check to make sure there is a meter, running in the taxi.
Lake Balaton Wine Region
Lake Balaton is primarily a summer holiday destination, but the people who come to laze on the beach often overlook the fact that they are surrounded by some excellent winegrowing country. Four wine producing regions share the shores of the lake, Balatonfelvidék (the Balaton uplands), Balatonfüred-Csopak and Badacsony on the hilly north shore, and Balatonboglár to the flatter south.
(read more...)
Accommodation around Lake Balaton
Spa HÉVÍZ
Thermal Hotel Aqua****
Health-spa facilities, swimming-pool, etc., located 500 ft away from Lake Hévíz.
Danubius Thermal Héviz**** superior
Modern health-spa facilities, recreation.
NaturMed Carbona****
Spa, recreation. Located in the centre of the town in a huge green park.
Rogner Hotel & Spa Lotus Therme****
Wellness and beauty hotel with 224 comfort rooms and exclusive suites. Its current upgrades – including the redesign of its beauty reception and new relaxation facilities – will make it Hévíz's only five-star hotel from January 2007.
Hotel Europa Fit****superior
The new spa & wellness resort has an exclusive, mediterranean building, with 236 air-conditioned rooms.
The hotel can be found in the pedestrian street of Hévíz. The hotel itself recalls the atmosphere of the early century.
SIÓFOK
Hotel Aranypart***
On the shore of Lake Balaton with own beach.
Hotel Azúr****
Wellness and conference hotel, on the southern shore of Lake Balaton.
Best Western Janus Atrium Hotel****
Wellness hotel, situated in the centre.
Residence Conference & Wellness Hotel****
Brand new Wellness complex, comfortable rooms.
Vértes Conference & Wellness Hotel****
Centrally located recently refurbished hotel with own spa facilities few minutes walk from the lakeside.
The hotel is right next to the Lake and offers 28 rooms and 3 well-equipped meeting rooms for more than 100 participants.
BALATONFÜRED
Club Imola Hotel and Meetingcenter***/****
Situated near the main road N°71 and a few minutes walk to the city centre and Lake Balaton.
Hotel Flamingo****
Quality private hotel, situated close to the centre.
Hotel Silver Resort****
Wellness and conference hotel with a port of its own.
Danubius Hotel Marina Hotel***
Located in a park, at the shore of the lake.
Danubius Hotel Annabella***
100 ft from the shore of Lake Balaton, with a beautiful view over the lake and Tihany Peninsula.
TIHANY
Club Tihany****
The Club (Holiday Centre) is situated on the shore of Lake Balaton. Hotel rooms and bungalows for families, wellness, fitness facilities.
KESZTHELY
Danubius Hotel Helikon***
At the Lake shore, with a nice view.
BALATONKENESE
Hotel Marina-Port****
New wellness & conference hotel on the North-East shore of the Balaton. A Yacht Club belongs to the hotel.
BALATONALMÁDI
Ramada Hotel & Resort Lake Balaton
Newly refurbished hotel with panoramic view.
Lake Balaton
The Times, April 10, 2004 Adam LeBor visits central Europe's largest inland body of water in Hungary
(read more...)
Camaraderie and goulash
The Times, October 23, 2004
Jill Crawshaw enters into the spirit of Magyar tradition aboard the Royal Hungarian Express, where imperial indulgence meets communist chic.
(read more...)
Nostalgia trip
The Guardian
October 23, 2004
Ben Mallalieu boards the teak-panelled Royal Hungarian Express for a three-day tour of one of Europe's strangest countries
(read more...)
Carriages made in heaven
Telegraph, November 23, 2004
John Graham Hart puts aside his fears about trainspotters to journey around Hungary in civilised comfort.
(read more...)
Balaton Upland National Park
The area to the north of Lake Balaton is memorable for its spectacular volcanic mountains and breathtaking views of the water below. The Balaton Uplands National Park, established in 1997 and extending from the Tihany peninsula to Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) to the West, is also a Mecca not only for Hungarian nature lovers, but also for international visitors. Attractions of particular interest include the volcanic geysers near Tihany and the rich birdlife of Kis-Balaton.
Siofok
more
(read more...)
Spa hotels in Pannonia
Tapolca
The pretty little town of Tapolca lies 10km from Balaton’s northern shoreline.
(read more...)
Horse-riding
In the 9th century AD, Hungarian tribes arrived in the Carpathian Basin from the Asian steppes on horseback, and equestrianism remains in the blood of the country’s people.
(read more...)
Wildlife
The Balaton Region reveals nature in all its glory...
(read more...)
From and to FlyBalaton Airport
BusExpress is a quick, safe, quality and guaranteed cheap transfer service. The company fixed the prices so that they would be available for everyone. It connects Hévíz, Keszthely and Zalakaros with FlyBalaton, Sármellék.
Fly-Car is the exclusive transfer partner of FlyBalaton airport of Sármellék that connects Hévíz, Keszthely,Siófok and Budapest with FlyBalaton, Sármellék.
