THINK , MORE THAN EXPECTED

ffice M7 E71 Balatonvilágos ortress nternational airport nternational Tourinform-Büro SchiŠsanlegestelle Heilbad Fähre Burg Flugplatz T ourinform O P ort Spa F erry F I 65 Siófok

Balatonkenese N Ságvár 72 Balatonfűzfő

Zamárdi O Alsóőrs Szántód Szólád Balatonalmádi Balatonföldvár Andocs

Tihany T Balatonszárszó 71 Karád

67

Balatonfüred Nemesvámos A 7 Somogybabod Somogyvár

Lengyeltóti

Nagyvázsony Balatonboglár L Zánka Fonyód Révfülöp Buzsák

Kékkút Szentbékkálla A Buzsák-

Csisztapuszta B Balatonmáriafürdő 68 Balatongyörök Balatonszentgyörgy Gyenesdiás E71 M7 71 Hévíz

Keszthely KIS-BALATON Sármellék Regional map of the Balaton M7 E71

Balatonvilágos Welcome Tourinform-Büro SchiŠsanlegestelle Heilbad Fähre Burg Flugplatz 65 Siófok N Ságvár at L ake Bal aton 72 Balatonfűzfő

Zamárdi text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd. O Alsóőrs Szántód Szólád Balaton is not only a summer holiday resort, it ­also offers Balatonalmádi

Balatonföldvár delightful experiences throughout the year in the form

Andocs of active programs, prestigious events, excellent health T Balatonszárszó Csopak facilities and great wines. 71 Balatonszemes Karád Balaton is more than a lake as ton Sound, one of the most pop- cellars and wine terraces await 67

Balatonfüred a number of family-friendly ular music events in Europe, visitors to Lake Balaton. Every- Nemesvámos A beaches offer carefree summer high-quality art-festivals and in- one can find the most suitable

7 relaxation. In addition to safe timate wine festivals can make accommodation tailored to their Somogybabod

Balatonlelle bathing, you may also enjoy sev- your stay at Balaton even more individual needs: campsites,

Balatonudvari eral water sports at Lake Bala- colorful. Balaton is more than high-standard private accommo- Somogyvár

Lengyeltóti ton. Balaton is more than a beach summer as the region offers a va- dation, apartments, guest-hous-

Nagyvázsony

Balatonakali Balatonboglár L to have fun on as you are free to riety of therapeutic, beauty and es, three- and four-star urban

Zánka choose from program options, wellness treatments throughout hotels and wellness resorts are both at the beach and further the year through the spas and the all available for our guests. For

Kapolcs off. You can cycle around the lake harmony provided by the lake further information please visit Fonyód Révfülöp Buzsák and visit sites of natural beauty and surrounding nature. Fine www.gotohungary.com.

Kékkút Szentbékkálla A via hiking trails. Events like Bala- wines, all-year-round open wine « Balatonfenyves Buzsák- Badacsonytomaj Csisztapuszta Biking or

bathing - it is all B Balatonmáriafürdő

Szigliget the same, both Tapolca

68 can be enjoyed Gyulakeszi Balatongyörök by the Lake Marcali Balatonszentgyörgy Vonyarcvashegy Gyenesdiás E71 Balatonederics M7 71 Hévíz

Keszthely KIS-BALATON Sármellék Zalakaros

Balaton » Greeting | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 1 The Balaton experience WATER EVERYWHERE… text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd. The Balaton region would be inconceivable without Lake Balaton, and Lake Balaton is unimaginable without the beaches and everything they have to offer.

From spring to autumn, regat- Information about territorial In order to meet the demands ta sailors conquer Lake Balaton licenses, fishing tickets, size of the younger gene­ration, more day by day. The 596 km2 sur- limits and ban periods can be and more beaches offer volley- face of the lake is a real paradise obtained from the website ball and soccer fields, basketball for lovers of sailing, perhaps the of Balaton­ Fish Management and handball courts. Those on most popular water sport at Bala­ (www.balatonihal.hu). The main sandy ­beaches or grasslands are ton, with nearly 100 ports avail- season for water programs is as popu­lar as the ones built in able for yachts and dinghies. naturally summer. A large num- the water. For guests looking for The most prestigious event is the ber of renovated, family-friend- more exciting adventures, water- Blue Ribbon Regatta, the longest ly beaches offer many children’s ski courses are available in Bala- round-the-lake race in Europe, and sports programs as well as tonfüred, Vonyarcvashegy­ and organized every July. Schedu­ Wi-Fi access. The water quality Siófok, where kite-surfing is also led boat traffic starts at East- is excellent, and the standard of worth trying. In addition to beach er each year. Pleasure and tour services on the beaches improves programs, water sports events boats also offer an amazing ex- year by year, therefore, a large should not be missed either. perience from early spring to au- number of beaches are awarded The best known among these tumn. Balaton, as a natural lake, the “Blue Wave Flag” prize. The is Lake Balaton Cross Swim­ offers pleasant fishing opportu- Balaton-shaped pool in Keszt­ ming from Révfülöp­ to Bala­ nities almost all year round; typi­ hely and Wonderful Water Spi- tonboglár, which takes place in cal Balaton fish are carp, zander der, the kids’ water world of the July of each year. It is also worth and bream (especially common spa in Zalakaros, opened in 2012, looking for local and/or regional Lake Balaton bream), but there are large stocks are very popular among families. discount-cards, providing dis- is a paradise for sailors and of Volga pikeperch, silver bream, In many places lido-like shores counts among others on beaches. all kind of boats eel and sabre-fish here as well. are available for small children. «

Balaton » The Balaton experience | 2 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com Balaton » The Balaton experience | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 3 ACTIVE BALATON BALATON NATURALLY! text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

Lake Balaton has been blessed with an abundance of beauty. A wide range of unique natural formations can be found in the Balaton Uplands National Park.

The Tihany peninsula, the pearl and marshlands also represents here. The visitor centre of the of Balaton was the first land- an outstanding asset. Visitors are area, Kányavár Island is open for scape protection area in the mesmerized by the peaceful at- walking. The Buffalo Reserve in country. You can learn about the mosphere of the nearby Káli ba- Kápolnapuszta is open all year once raving world of volcanoes sin. The so-called Kőtenger (Sea round. The Balaton region is an and the culture of lavender cul- of Stones) on the border of Szent­ ideal cycling destination also tivation in Tihany in the Laven- békkálla and Mindszentkálla is a for families with small children, der House. The basalt columns unique formation with Ingókő since there are no significant lev- of Hegyestű, the 337 meter high (Rocking Stone), which – though el differences and plenty of inter- former volcano between Zánka it weighs several tons – can be esting sights can be visited within and Monoszló, the gatekeeper of moved even by one man. Kis- a short distance. There are many the Káli basin, offer a view unique Bala­ton (Little Balaton) has been opportunities to cycle: along the in Hungary. Tapolca basin with a natural conservation area since recommended hiking trails or its spectacular buttes, swamps 1951. About 232 bird species nest even the 210 km Balaton Bike

There are magnificent panoramas from the hills all over the Lake

Balaton » Active Balaton | 4 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com Endless fun on the beaches

Carefree recreation either in on a golf course or on a yacht

Ring around the lake. Excellent offers the opportunity to have tournament courses of Balaton­ horse trekking routes are avail- a go at special, even extreme ac- udvari and Balatongyörök offer able in the territory of the Bala- tivities like hot air ballooning the opportunity for sports with ton Uplands National Park. It is in Western-Balaton. If you pre- a wonderful view in a wonderful also worth visiting one of the nu- fer paddling to bathing, you can landscape. Nordic walking is also merous adventure parks, where go canoeing from spring to au- gaining popularity in the region, you can try horseshoe tossing, tumn in Nagyberek near Bala- you can try it in many places such archery, and also the bob-sled tonfenyves or on the Zala River as Zalakaros, Hévíz, Keszthely, track, wire rope slide, paintball- in the summer and, in the win- Badacsony, Szigliget, Ba­la­ton­ ing, adventure track or water ter, on the Hévíz Stream, which feny­ves, in the villages of the Bal- bumper cars. The Balaton region never freezes. For golf lovers the aton Riviera and in Balatonfüred.

Balaton » Active Balaton | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 5 Balaton » Health from summer to winter | 6 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com Health from summer to winter PAMPERING TREATMENTS text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

The nature and the lake radiate infinite harmony. Thermal, mineral and spring water surface in many places in the Balaton region.

Lake Hévíz, the earth’s largest, in 2013 – have become the treatment of accidental injuries bio­logically active thermal lake meeting point for generations. and orthopedic surgery. At sever- can be found at a distance of The thermal water at ­Zalakaros al wells in Balatonfüred you can 6 km from Lake Balaton. The sul- facilitates the healing of pati­ taste aerated spring water, which phuric and slightly radioactive ents suffering mainly from fa- is also applied in the form of wa- water of the lake is excellent for tigue, musculoskeletal problems, ter therapy mainly for treating healing rheumatism, musculo- chronic inflammatory problems cardiovascular diseases and for skeletal and neurological diseas- and arthritis. The waterpark in the treatment of the overall ex- es. The type of medicinal mud Siófok was opened in 2006. The haustion of the body. As a drink- covering the lake bed is unique in thermal waters of ­Nagyberény ing cure, it is effective in treating the world. Among the therapies supply the indoor waterpark gastritis, gall bladder and intesti- applied at Hévíz, drinking cure and wellness centre, named af- nal disorders, and even diabetes. is less-known, even though this ter a Roman emperor, which is Beneath the town of Tapolca, treatment is extremely efficient open all year round. Rheumatic, there is a captivating cave sys- in chronic cases of gastro-enter- neurological and gynecological tem divided into several sections. itis and indigestion. Thermal wa- complaints can be successfully Next to the Lake Cave, therapeu- ter rises from a depth of 2,500 treated with the thermal water of tic activities are is carried out in meters at Zalakaros. This fami- Marcali, while the thermal water another part of the cave system. ly-friendly bath complex offers of the Siófok spa is recommend- The pollen-free air in the cave is Physical and an unforgettable experience for ed for healing musculoskeletal at a constant temperature, and spiritual revival all ages. The outdoor water world problems, gynecological and uro- has proven therapeutic effects at one of the healing places and the indoor water world for logical disorders, dermatological on asthmatic diseases, bronchitis at Lake Balaton children – the latter opened disorders as well as for the post- and allergic respiratory diseases.

Balaton » Health from summer to winter | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 7 Adventures in the region NOT TO BE MISSED text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

The land of volcanoes offers special dishes and spicy wines for the culinary delights lovers, but there are many of cultural sights and events as well. You must not miss them!

Unique wine Cheers! » The lake attracts oven. Balaton wines are insepa- specialtities those seeking culinary pleasures rable from tasty regional dishes. and tasty dishes with many kinds of fish; the re- The historical wine regions are gion’s forests are full of game, and proud of their excellent wines, the gardens have great soil and viticulturists and winemakers. It provide excellent fruit. Among is recommended to taste Grey the meals typical of the Balaton Monk (gris) in Badacsony, Caber- region, priority should be given net Sauvignon at South-Balaton, to fish, in particular to Balaton Rhine Riesling in Zala coun- walleye, while the unique Bala- ty, Cserszeg Spicy in the Bala- ton fish soup deserves special at- ton Uplands region, Chardonnay tention too – the more kinds of in Balatonfüred, and you should fish it is made of, the tastier it definitely drink some Furmint is. Gastro-hint: when eating at around Somló! the lakeside, you must not miss lángos (a deep fried flat bread), This is interesting… » The pancakes and rösti (potato pan- meeting of cultures and ages, cakes). Farmers’ markets opening the encounter of man and na- one after another recall the at- ture. Anywhere in the Balaton mosphere of old times: here you region, you can witness this can find everything from home- with every step. Where should made goat and sheep cheese to you go? Visit Tihany, where a delicacies baked in a wood-fired church and monastery already

Balaton » Adventures in the region | 8 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com The most picturesque areas belong to the Balaton- Uplands National Park, volcanic cones and castle ruins are favourite places of excursions

in existence nine centuries i.e. the Gate of Peace. The fasci- Summer festivals ago. The royal charter issued in nating, sometimes even legend- 1055 contains the oldest writ- ary medieval fortress ruins – like in castles and ten words in the Hungarian lan- the fortresses of Szigliget and guage in a context. Having Nagyvázsony as well as the ru- ruins are popular seen the undercroft of the Ben- ins of Csobánc, Tátika, Rezi and edictine Abbey in Tihany and Zádor – and the Benedictine Ab- the majestic church, it bey at Somogyvár, our national is also worth visiting the mod- memorial, are worthy guardians ern visitor centre construct- of the Middle Ages. You may be- ed under the name Porta Pacis, come familiar with the military

Balaton » Adventures in the region | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 9 Festetics castle in Keszthely

traditions of medieval warfare Places you must definite- One of the main sights of Tapol- at the Castle Games in the sum- ly visit! » Although, the entire ca, the picturesque little town in mer. Among the memorials of Balaton region is wonderful, the neighborhood of the butte folk architecture, the folk house there are several sites, sights hills, is the Lake Cave, where of Buzsák is renowned for its and exhibitions that everyone a unique 300 meter section is embroidery, the country house has to see – once, or even sev- available for a boat trip in the at Vörs, the folk house at Zamár- eral times! It is not difficult to underground tunnels. Keszthely di and the folk house of Bala- find the viewpoint Szépkilátó and the baroque Festetics Palace tonkenese, which was awarded (“beautiful lookout”) at Bala- are inseparable. In the beautiful the Folklore House of the Year tongyörök, you only need to baroque palace, besides an aris- prize in 2011, are the most out- look for the place with the most tocratic library of nearly one standing. beautiful view of Lake Balaton. hundred thousand volumes, you

Balaton » Adventures in the region | 10 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com will see several permanent exhi- km long shore is divided bet­ internationally recognized events bitions, the Carriage Museum, ween many beaches and hotels. like the Motor Cycle Festival the Hunting Museum, the Palm Imre Kálmán, the renowned op- at Alsóörs in June, or Balaton House in the castle garden, all eretta composer was born here. Sound, which was judged the offering great experiences, while The 45 m Water Tower, erected best medium-sized festival of the sand table of the Histori- in 1912, stands in the middle of Europe in 2012, or pleasant au- cal Model Railway Exhibition the town. Siófok is the boating thentic festivals like the Valley of is outstanding on a European centre of Lake Balaton. Its exclu- Arts or the Hungaricum Festival level as well. The thermal lake sive places of amusement offer in ­Balatonalmádi. supplied by the Hévíz spring is a wide selection of entertain- unique not only in Hungary but ment opportunities for each « also worldwide. The biological- generation. The reconstructed ly active thermal lake of 4.4 hec- Kisfaludy lookout at the top of tares offers its healing water as the 437 meter high ­Badacsony a natural spa. You may take ad- hill offers a remarkable view. vantage of the opportunity for The house of József Egry, the a pleasant and therapeutic bath most famous painter of the Bala­ in every season. The bath cul- ton region, can also be found in ture of Balaton started flourish- Badacsony and is a museum to-

ing in Balatonfüred in the 17th day. A particular sight at Bada­ Renovated century. The town has been csonytomaj is the basalt church symbol of Siófok: Water-tower completely renovated in recent dedicated to Prince St. Imre. in the centre years, the district reminiscent of the Reform Era has become filled From program to program » with new life. The City Museum Where else would you meet your recalls the atmosphere of this friends who you have not seen era, while the grand Vaszary for a long time – perhaps visit- Villa hosts exhibitions, litera- ing from abroad – if not at Lake ture and music events. Siófok is Balaton?­ An excellent opportu- the most significant town on the nity for this can be a joint fami- southern shore of Balaton, its 17 ly vacation or even high-quality,

Balaton » Adventures in the region | Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com 11 Useful information Good to know

text and photos » Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

Access » By airplane: , the lake on Road No. 84 (distance Be careful during storms! » Liszt Ferenc International Airport between and Keszthely: Each year between April 1 and (distance from Siófok: 120 km, 128 km). Scheduled boat services: October 31, a storm forecast ser- distance from Keszthely: 203 km). Balatoni Hajózási Zrt. operates at vice operates at Lake Balaton. Sármellék, Hévíz Balaton Airport 22 ship ports at Lake Balaton. In the case of storm forecast (distance from Siófok: 86 km, dis- More information can be found stage 1 – i.e. a yellow light, flash- tance from Keszt­hely: 12 km). on: www.balatonihajozas.hu. ing 45 times a minute – you are By car: From Budapest, on Road 7 allowed to bathe or use a ped- and/or Motorway M7. For the Lake Balaton in numbers » al boat only within the buoyed northern shore you should leave Length of the lake: 78 km (Fenék- areas of the designated beach- the motorway at the Balaton­ puszta - ); max- es. In the case of storm forecast akarattya junction or take the imum width of the lake: 12 km stage 2 – i.e. a yellow light, flash- Szántód ferry at the Zamárdi or (Siófok - Alsóörs); distance from ing 90 times a minute – you are Kőröshegy exit. The main road Budapest: Keszthely: 187 km, Sió- NOT allowed to bathe or use any along the northern shore is Road fok: 104 km; distance from Vien- craft in the water. No. 71. From the direction of na: Keszthely: 202 km, Siófok: Western Hungary, you can reach 254 km «

Holiday for the whole family

Balaton » Useful information | 12 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » gotohungary.com Published by Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » Creative design: WOW Stúdió Kft. » Printed by Grafit Pencil Nyomda Kft. » Map: Freytag- Berndt » Photos: Photoarchivum of Hungarian Tourism Ltd. » Free copy Lake Balaton and its fascinating surroundings are waiting for the guests all year round

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