Welcome to Lake Balaton
English
Hungary does not have a coast anymore but it does have the Hungarian Sea, otherwise known as Lake Balaton. The lake has been popular since the Magyar tribes first galloped into the Carpathian Basin in 896 and shows no signs of losing its appeal. Around the 77km long lake is a collection of towns and resorts.
FlyBalaton Airport is situated 20km from Keszthely at the southern end of the lake. From there, hire a car or take a bus and explore some of the resorts. Balaton is not one single town but a collection of resorts dotted along the shore, each with its unique character: Balatonfüred’s elegant spa, Tihany’s abbey, Siófok’s nightlife, Keszthely’s history, Hévíz’s giant thermal lake and of course, all manner of water sports on the lake itself.
Facts
| Population | Keszthely 23,000 Siófok 24,000 Balatonfüred 13,300 |
| Currency | Hungarian forint (Ft or HUF) |
| Opening hours | Food shops: Weekdays 07.00—18.00 and 07.00—13.00 on Saturday. Non-food shops: 10.00—18.00 on weekdays and 09.00—13.00 on Saturday. Banks: Monday to Thursday 08.00—16.00, Friday 08.00—13.00. Museums: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00—18.00, Closed on Mondays. |
| Website | www.balaton.gotohungary.co.uk www.balaton-tourism.hu www.balaton.hu www.flybalaton.com |
| Newspapers | Népszabadság, Magyar Hírlap, HVG (Havi Vilaggazdaság), The Budapest Times |
| Emergency numbers | European emergency line: 112 Fire service: 105 Ambulance: 104 Police: 107 Balaton water rescue: 06 30 3838 383 (emergency mobile) www.vizimentok.hu |
| Tourist information | Balatonfüred Tourinform Address: Kisfaludy utca 1 Phone: +36 87 580 480 Winter opening hours: Monday to Friday 09.00—16.00, closed weekends www.balatonfured.hu |
