Lake Balaton is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors who crave stunning scenery and fresh air in their lungs. Watersports enthusiasts revel in the superb opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and rowing; motorboats are prohibited, so you won’t find yourself swamped by wash. Less-energetic visitors laze on the beaches, hire fishing rods and go in pursuit of the pike perch – a delicacy found only here – or take a turn around the lake aboard a sightseeing boat. Golfers are well catered for at the European Lakes Golf and Country Club in Hencse and at the Birdland Spa and Golf Resort in Bük, both of which boast beautifully manicured courses.
Countless marked trails circumnavigate the lake and lead hikers, cyclists and horse-riders to some of the region’s natural treasures. The northern shore is characterised by volcanic hills that harbour some spectacular rock formations. The 400m-high Badacsony Hill is a particular favourite, its slopes littered with cellars promising tasty refreshment and its flat-topped summit offering views to die for. The peninsula of Tihany was formed of ancient volcanoes, and its geyser cones and crater lakes provide wonderful terrain for walkers and anglers alike. Alternatively you could head for some of the lookout points in the forested Keszthely hill range or for the Lóczy Cave above Balatonfüred, its limestone-layered walls resembling stacks of toast.
The Balaton Uplands National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife. Kis (‘Small’) Balaton is one of Europe’s top wetland nature reserves, and supports birdlife including the great white egret, large numbers of nesting greylag geese and all species of European heron. You can admire a herd of traditional Hungarian buffalo at the Kápolnapuszta Reserve, while the Salföld Nature Conservation Site showcases other ancient indigenous breeds and hosts breathtaking horse shows. This truly is nature’s playground!
Wildlife
The Balaton Region reveals nature in all its glory...
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