# A Weekend at Lake Balaton and Hévíz Thermal Lake, Two Hours from Budapest One night on the north of Balaton, with Tihany, the ferry and Balatonfüred, and another in Hévíz to bathe in its outdoor thermal lake. Two hours from Budapest by car. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/hungary/lake-balaton/itineraries/weekend-with-heviz · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Lake Balaton Balaton falls short in a day from Budapest, and Hévíz, an hour further west, deserves a night there so you can bathe in its thermal lake unhurriedly. With two nights you combine both: the Tihany peninsula with its abbey, the Balatonfüred promenade, the ferry in the middle of the lake and an outdoor bath in Hévíz, which works all year, even with sub-zero air. ## What does it cost? WhatHow muchNote Tihany Abbey3,400 FtFamily (2 + 2) 9,700 Ft Szántód–Tihany ferryBAHART ticketAll year, every 30 min in winter Tapolca Lake Cave5,000 FtChildren 3,400 Ft; by reservation Hévíz lake, 2 hours3,000 FtWith wellness 5,000 Ft Festetics PalaceFrom 4,600 FtSummer 2026 price ## Where to sleep On Balaton, the Anna Grand Hotel in Balatonfüred, a five-star on the spa square, or the Club Tihany Resort, with cottages and its own beach next to the ferry, better with children. In Hévíz, the Hotel Spa Hévíz, the spa's own hotel, on the lake promenade, or the Lotus Therme, a five-star with a thermal spa. ## Where to eat In Balatonfüred, the Anna Grand restaurant, open at midday and in the evening all year, and the Anna Café for an afternoon snack. In season, from Easter to mid-October, the csárda of Ferenc Pince at the top of Tihany. In Hévíz, the Platán Étterem, by the lake. ## With children Hévíz lake is free for under-6s and costs 1,500 Ft from 6 to 14 years; the sauna, only from 12. The Tapolca cave by boat and the miniature train at the Festetics Palace are the two outings they like best. ## El plan ### Friday · 17:00 · From Budapest to Balatonfüred About 130 km on the M7 and the northern shore. Dinner at the Anna Grand restaurant and a night in Balatonfüred or Tihany. ### Saturday · 09:30 · Tagore Promenade at Balatonfüred The lakeside walk and the harbour in the morning light, and a coffee on Gyógy tér. ### Saturday · 10:30 · Tihany Abbey The church, the tomb of King Andrew I and the view of Balaton from the esplanade. In winter it opens at 10:00. ### Saturday · 12:00 · Walk to the inner lake An hour and a half on the paths of the volcanic peninsula. ### Saturday · 14:30 · Ferry to Szántód and back Eight minutes in the middle of the lake; cross over and come back on the next one. ### Saturday · 15:30 · Tapolca Lake Cave On the way to Hévíz, 180 metres rowing beneath the town. Book a time. ### Saturday · 18:00 · Arrival in Hévíz A night at the Hotel Spa Hévíz, by the lake, or at the Lotus Therme. ### Sunday · 09:00 · Bath in the thermal lake Two hours in the hot water, outdoors. In winter you enter through the Festetics Fürdőház. ### Sunday · 11:30 · Walk through the lake forest The circuit of the lake through the protective forest. ### Sunday · 13:00 · Festetics Palace in Keszthely 6 km away: the rooms, the Helikon Library and the park. Return to Budapest in the afternoon, about two hours fifteen minutes. ## Un consejo más In winter, change the order: arrive in Hévíz on Friday and bathe at dusk on Saturday, when the steam over the lake is greatest; Balaton looks best in morning light. ## Cuándo no ir Going to Balaton in July and August without a booking: it is the Hungarian holiday season and everything fills up. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Budapest to Balaton? An hour and three quarters by car to Tihany; about two hours by train to Balatonfüred. ### Can you do it without a car? Half and half: train to Balatonfüred, bus to Tihany and long-distance bus to Hévíz. With a car you do it all. ### Is it worth going in winter? Yes, above all for Hévíz. On Balaton, many seasonal restaurants close from October to Easter. ### How much does the break cost? With two hotel nights, meals, tickets and a shared car, about €220–420 per person depending on the hotel. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Anna Grand 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**: 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**: 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. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Anna Grand 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**: 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. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Anna Grand 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**: 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**: 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.