Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Central Europe and a well-known treasure of the Hungarian tourism industry . This popular holidayarea in the core of Europe is a relaxing place for bathing under the Hungarian sun, as well as for water sports such as sailing and fishing. The lake itself is 77 km long and its widest point is 14 kms. Its average depth is 3m meters and the deepest point is called Tihany well and it is 11 m.
Why is it a popular holiday spot? What if you have small children for instance. When you visit any seaside you need to be frightened when your child goes for a swim and the water gets very deep in a short time . Or the salty water burns your skin. Well none of the above mentioned may happen to you in Lake Balaton. The water is shallow, but if you want to swim you can find beaches with deeper water as well. Since it is not deep the sun heats the water pretty rapidly. And about saltiness. Not at all. Just sweet, smooth and clean water.
Lake Balaton is not just one of the largest lakes of Europe, but also a natural eden popular especially for those people who love outdoor activities or water sports. On the shores there are several towns proper for a recreational holiday. The beautiful and friendly town of Siofok which is considered as the capital of Balaton is the most visited of Balaton’s lakeside resorts, and also the place where services are best available for instance for nightlife and shopping in Siofok. Other towns on the shores of Lake Balaton include Balatonfüred, Keszthely, Balatonboglár and Balatonlelle.
Lake Balaton is a summer vacation destination with its main tourism season in July and August. During these months the shores of Lake Balaton are commonly crowded with visitors. There are swimmers who enjoy the warm waves of the lake, hikers who admire the beautiful views from the hilly shores, windsurfers looking for a wavy waters and beach volley players testing the smooth sand of the fun Balaton beaches. If you get tired of the sports activities in Lake Balaton, visit the Tihany Penisula with its rich history with its scenic views and beautiful church or the wine region of Badacsony, or relax in the thermal spas of Héviz orCsisztapuszta.
Besides the water world of Lake Balaton and natural wonders around the lake, the town of Siofok offers an interesting city centre filled with all kinds of sights and monuments which you can admire . Siofok is also celebrated for its lively nightlife with outdoor concerts, street cafes playing live music etc. Outside the city centre there are small beaches offering an alternative to overcrowded central areas. The most popular place in Siofok is the Old Beach House renamed Coke club. This lively part of a beach offers daytime activities for swimming, volleyball, tennis, ping pong and water polo and nightime concerts and shows.
