# Lake Balaton The largest lake in central Europe, less than two hours from Budapest: the abbey and volcanic peninsula of Tihany and the spa town of Balatonfüred. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/hungary/lake-balaton · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe: almost 80 km long and, in many places, so shallow that you can wade a hundred metres from the shore with the water at your waist. For Hungarians it is "the sea", the place for summer holidays. For a traveller coming from Budapest, the best of it is on the northern shore: the Tihany peninsula, an ancient volcanic landscape with an 11th-century abbey, an inner lake and lavender fields, and Balatonfüred, the oldest spa town on the lake. It is less than two hours from Budapest and calls for one or two nights; an hour to the west you have the thermal lake at Hévíz. ## Getting there from Budapest By car, on the M7 motorway and the northern-shore road: about 130 km to Tihany, around an hour and three quarters. With an electronic vignette. By train, to Balatonfüred on the northern-shore line, around two hours, then a bus to Tihany. Details in the train to Balatonfüred. If you are coming from Spain, hire a car at Budapest airport: with it you can fit Tihany, Balatonfüred and Hévíz into a weekend. ## What to do in Tihany Start with the Benedictine abbey, founded in 1055 by King Andrew I, who is buried in it; then step out onto the esplanade to look at the lake. Walk down the paths to the inner lake, surrounded by reeds and volcanic cones, and, if it is late June or early July, pass by the lavender fields. For lunch in season, Ferenc Pince, a family-run cellar with a view of the lake. Finish by crossing on the Szántód ferry: eight minutes in the middle of Balaton, all year round. ## What to do in Balatonfüred Stroll along the Tagore Promenade, by the harbour, and around Gyógy tér, the spa square. Have an afternoon snack at the Anna Café and, if you want a special night, sleep at the Anna Grand Hotel, a five-star with a spa. With children, the Club Tihany Resort, with its own beach next to the ferry. ## When to go From May to September, when you can swim, the boats run and the terraces are open. In winter the lake has a different beauty, grey and silent: the abbey, the ferry and the large hotels stay open, but many restaurants and guesthouses close from October until Easter. If you go in winter, combine the lake with a bath in the thermal lake at Hévíz. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Keszthely (a 51.5 km), Hévíz (a 55.0 km), Tata (a 88.1 km), Pécs (a 96.6 km) ## Qué hacer - **Tihany Benedictine Abbey** (1 h 15 · All ages; pre-school children free · Adult 3,400 Ft · students and pensioners 2,500 Ft · family (2 + 2) 9,700 Ft · pre-school children free): What it is Tihany Abbey was founded in 1055 by King Andrew I, who is buried in it; its founding charter is one of the first texts with words in Hungarian. The present church, Baroque, with two white towers, can be seen from all over the northern shore of the lake. The visit includes the church, the old parts with the king's tomb and the abbey museum, with a gallery of temporary exhibitions. From the esplanade you have the best view of Balaton. Opening hours From 1 November 2026 to 18 January 2027: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from 11:15 to 16:00; the ticket office closes at 15:30. It cannot be visited during mass. On 13 November it closes from 13:45 to 14:50 for a mass. Prices Adult, 3,400 Ft; students and pensioners, 2,500 Ft; family of two adults and two under-18s, 9,700 Ft, and 1,200 Ft for each extra child. Pre-school children do not pay. The church and the museum receive no public money: that is why an entrance fee is charged. Getting there I. András tér 1, at the top of the village. Buses stop at the Apátság stop, on Kossuth utca. By car, park in the Akasztó-domb car park or next to the ferry landing. - **Walk to Tihany's Inner Lake (Belső-tó)** (1 h 30 · 4 km · All ages; dirt paths): The Tihany peninsula is an ancient volcanic landscape jutting into Balaton, and in its interior, higher than the big lake, there is a small lake surrounded by reeds: the Belső-tó. From the village you go down to its shore along dirt paths in a little over half an hour and come back through the fields, with volcanic cones all around. In early summer the peninsula's lavender fields are in bloom. It is an easy walk for any age; in the national park section, keep your dog on a lead and do not leave the paths. - **Szántód–Tihany Ferry** (8 min · All ages): The BAHART ferry links Szántódrév, on the southern shore, with Tihanyrév, at the tip of the peninsula, at the shortest strait of the lake: eight minutes. It runs every day of the year, in winter too, and carries cars, bicycles and pedestrians. From 2 November 2026 it leaves every half hour: from Szántódrév between 7:00 and 18:00 and from Tihanyrév between 7:15 and 18:15. It is the way to link the northern shore, with Tihany and Balatonfüred, with the southern one, of beaches and holiday villages, without going round the lake. - **Tagore Promenade and Harbour at Balatonfüred** (1 h · 2 km · All ages; flat): Balatonfüred is the historic spa town of the northern shore, 11 km from Tihany. Its lakeside walk, the Tagore Promenade, runs under the trees from the harbour, where the BAHART boats dock, to the holiday villas. A step away is Gyógy tér, the spa square, with the fountain pavilion and the grand Anna hotel. It is the walk for winter afternoons, with the lake grey and almost nobody about, and for summer nights, with full terraces. - **Tihany lavender fields** (1 h · All ages): The Tihany peninsula is known in Hungary for its lavender fields, which grow in the volcanic soil of the interior. They flower in early summer, normally between late June and early July, and the village fills with lavender products. They can be seen from the paths that run from the village towards the inner lake; respect the private fields and do not pick flowers. Outside that season, the walk is still worthwhile for the views, though without the colour. ## Dónde comer - **Anna Café** (Café, Balatonfüred, €€). Qué pedir: The Jókai cake, with almond cream and rosehip jam, with a coffee. - **Anna Grand Hotel Restaurant** (Restaurant, Balatonfüred, €€€). Qué pedir: If there is lake fish on the menu, order it with a white from Balatonfüred-Csopak. - **Ferenc Pince** (Winery, Tihany, €€). Qué pedir: Hungarian cooking on the terrace with a house white, and a tasting at the wine museum. ## By car: Balaton by Car Along the Northern Shore By car, Balaton is seen as it should be: Balatonfüred, the Tihany peninsula, the ferry to the southern shore and, to the west, Hévíz and Keszthely. From Budapest it is about 130 km on the M7, with an electronic vignette. The budget is per person per day, with accommodation, food and petrol. Presupuesto orientativo: 90–170 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Anna Grand Hotel** (Spa hotel): The place The Anna Grand is the grand hotel of Balatonfüred, on Gyógy tér, the spa square. Its history begins in 1786 and today it is a five-star hotel with the Anna Spa, the restaurant, the Anna Café and rooms of several categories; the superior ones have a balcony and some a sofa on which two children can sleep. Location The Tagore Promenade and the harbour are two minutes' walk away; Tihany, 11 km. Balatonfüred railway station, with trains to Budapest, is in the upper part of town. - **Club Tihany Resort** (Hotel): The place Club Tihany is a holiday complex at the southern tip of the peninsula, beside the landing stage of the Szántód ferry. It has its own beach on the lake, a wellness area, a restaurant and bar, and an activity programme with options for children. You sleep in rooms, premium rooms, suites or cottages, the latter designed for families. Location You are on the shore, with the ferry to the southern bank at the door and the village and abbey above, about 2 km away. It is the comfortable base for a family weekend in Tihany, with or without a car. - **Ferenc Vendégház** (Country house): The place The Ferenc Pince family has, next to its csárda and cellar, a guesthouse in Cserhegy, at the top of Tihany, with family rooms and a sun terrace with a panoramic view over Balaton. It is open from mid-March to mid-December; they also host small groups. Who it is for For those who come by car and want to sleep on the peninsula among the vines, with the cellar next door. Outside the csárda's season (Easter to mid-October), have dinner in Balatonfüred. ### Servicios - **Car Parks in Tihany**: The Akasztó-domb car park, next to the village, and the ferry car park at Tihanyrév · The centre is small: leave the car outside ## Car-free: Balaton Without a Car, by Train, Bus and Ferry Without a car, the base is Balatonfüred: the train arrives from Budapest in about two hours and the bus goes up to Tihany in a quarter of an hour. The ferry crosses to the southern shore. In winter there are fewer services: plan your returns. The budget is per person per day, with accommodation, food and transport. Presupuesto orientativo: 80–150 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Anna Grand Hotel** (Spa hotel): The place The Anna Grand is the grand hotel of Balatonfüred, on Gyógy tér, the spa square. Its history begins in 1786 and today it is a five-star hotel with the Anna Spa, the restaurant, the Anna Café and rooms of several categories; the superior ones have a balcony and some a sofa on which two children can sleep. Location The Tagore Promenade and the harbour are two minutes' walk away; Tihany, 11 km. Balatonfüred railway station, with trains to Budapest, is in the upper part of town. - **Club Tihany Resort** (Hotel): The place Club Tihany is a holiday complex at the southern tip of the peninsula, beside the landing stage of the Szántód ferry. It has its own beach on the lake, a wellness area, a restaurant and bar, and an activity programme with options for children. You sleep in rooms, premium rooms, suites or cottages, the latter designed for families. Location You are on the shore, with the ferry to the southern bank at the door and the village and abbey above, about 2 km away. It is the comfortable base for a family weekend in Tihany, with or without a car. ### Servicios - **Train to Balatonfüred and Bus to Tihany**: Trains from Budapest to Balatonfüred along the northern shore, about two hours · Buses from Balatonfüred to Tihany, 11 km ## By plane: Fly to Budapest and Continue to Balaton by Car or Train Lake Balaton has no airport of its own with flights from Spain: you fly to Budapest-Ferenc Liszt (BUD), with direct flights from Madrid and Barcelona. From there, Tihany is about 130 km on the M7, around an hour and three quarters by hire car; without a car, take the 100E bus to the centre, a train to Balatonfüred in about two hours and a bus to Tihany. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Anna Grand Hotel** (Spa hotel): The place The Anna Grand is the grand hotel of Balatonfüred, on Gyógy tér, the spa square. Its history begins in 1786 and today it is a five-star hotel with the Anna Spa, the restaurant, the Anna Café and rooms of several categories; the superior ones have a balcony and some a sofa on which two children can sleep. Location The Tagore Promenade and the harbour are two minutes' walk away; Tihany, 11 km. Balatonfüred railway station, with trains to Budapest, is in the upper part of town. - **Club Tihany Resort** (Hotel): The place Club Tihany is a holiday complex at the southern tip of the peninsula, beside the landing stage of the Szántód ferry. It has its own beach on the lake, a wellness area, a restaurant and bar, and an activity programme with options for children. You sleep in rooms, premium rooms, suites or cottages, the latter designed for families. Location You are on the shore, with the ferry to the southern bank at the door and the village and abbey above, about 2 km away. It is the comfortable base for a family weekend in Tihany, with or without a car. - **Ferenc Vendégház** (Country house): The place The Ferenc Pince family has, next to its csárda and cellar, a guesthouse in Cserhegy, at the top of Tihany, with family rooms and a sun terrace with a panoramic view over Balaton. It is open from mid-March to mid-December; they also host small groups. Who it is for For those who come by car and want to sleep on the peninsula among the vines, with the cellar next door. Outside the csárda's season (Easter to mid-October), have dinner in Balatonfüred. ### Servicios - **Train to Balatonfüred and Bus to Tihany**: Trains from Budapest to Balatonfüred along the northern shore, about two hours · Buses from Balatonfüred to Tihany, 11 km ## As a family: Balaton with the Family Balaton is the holiday destination of Hungarian families: shallow water, boats and walks without hills. In winter bathing is not possible, but the ferry and the walks carry on. ### What works best The ferry from Szántód to Tihany, eight minutes in the middle of the lake Tihany Abbey, with a family ticket and a view of the lake The walk to the inner lake, easy The Tagore Promenade at Balatonfüred, flat and good for pushchairs ### Sleeping Club Tihany Resort, with cottages, its own beach and children's programmes Ferenc Vendégház, with family rooms ### Eating Anna Café, for an afternoon snack Anna Grand restaurant ### Bear in mind Many restaurants on the lake close from October to Easter ### Qué hacer as a family - Tihany Benedictine Abbey - Walk to Tihany's Inner Lake (Belső-tó) - Szántód–Tihany Ferry - Tagore Promenade and Harbour at Balatonfüred - Tihany lavender fields ## With young children: Balaton with Small Children With small children, Balaton means a boat, the shore and short walks. ### What works best The ferry, short and with the lake all around The Tagore Promenade, flat The lavender fields, in bloom in early summer The abbey, free for pre-school children ### Sleeping Club Tihany Resort, with a play area ### Eating Anna Café ### Bear in mind In summer the lake has shallow-water beaches; in winter, there is no bathing ### Qué hacer with young children - Tihany Benedictine Abbey - Walk to Tihany's Inner Lake (Belső-tó) - Szántód–Tihany Ferry - Tagore Promenade and Harbour at Balatonfüred - Tihany lavender fields ## With teenagers: Balaton with Teenagers For teenagers, summer Balaton is water, sailing and cycling; winter Balaton, a day of walks. ### What works best The walk to the inner lake across the volcanic peninsula Tihany Abbey and its history of kings The ferry to the southern shore The Tagore Promenade at Balatonfüred ### Sleeping Club Tihany Resort, with its own beach ### Eating Ferenc Pince, in season ### Bear in mind Combine it with the thermal lake at Hévíz, an hour away, for a day of bathing in winter too ### Qué hacer with teenagers - Tihany Benedictine Abbey - Walk to Tihany's Inner Lake (Belső-tó) - Szántód–Tihany Ferry - Tagore Promenade and Harbour at Balatonfüred ## Consejos ### Combine Tihany and Hévíz One night on the northern shore and another in Hévíz, with its thermal bath outdoors all year round. ### Cross on the ferry Even if you are not going to the southern shore, it is the best boat trip that runs in winter. ### Park at Akasztó-domb Tihany's centre is small and fills up. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Budapest to Balaton? About two hours to Balatonfüred by train and an hour and three quarters to Tihany by car. ### Is it worth going in winter? Yes, for the abbey, the walks and the ferry, and combined with Hévíz. Don't expect beaches or pleasure boats. ### What are the must-sees in Tihany? The abbey, the view of the lake from its esplanade and the walk to the inner lake. ### When does the lavender bloom? In early summer, between late June and early July. ### Can you go without a car? Yes: train to Balatonfüred and a bus to Tihany. With a car you see much more.