Balaton Region

The 10-12 thousand years old Balaton is the biggest shallow-water lake in Europe. The shallow water of the southern side waits the holiday makers with its beaches. Although the shallow water suddenly gets deep the beaches offer safe recreation. During the hot Summer-days sailors, swimmers, paddlers enjoy the lake. On the surface of the 25-30 °C warm water we see swans during the day and disco-boats during the nights.

Let's observe the playing waves of the lake. By calm weather the water hardly moves, but wait till the wind gets stronger and brings even 2-meter-tall waves.

What if the weather is wrong? Do not panic! During the winter the ice covered lake offers excellent opportunities for skating, or ice-sailing. We often see fihermen fishing through an ice-hole.

But the region offers much more than what is mentioned above.

The unique landscape, where the plain and the hilly parts follow each other. Vineyard covered hills, dead-volcanoes, lava-columns, forests, minor lakes, green fields temple and castle ruins are waiting to be discovered.

The standalone flora and fauna of the region with the characteristic animals and plants is reserved for the future by the Balaton Region National Park. The Small-Balaton swamp with its unique bird population is also part of the national reserve. We can catch rare moments of the bisons' lives in the bison-reserve in Kápolnapuszta. Or we can

see animals like, bisons, zebras, camels in the Africa Museum in Balatonderics. In Salföld we see the herds of the grey-cattle or the "racka" sheep.

The area has been inhabited since the ancient times, as the archeological finds of Lovas and Baláca prove it. The Baláca findings refer to Roman presence in the country.

The thermal and medicinal-baths of the region are widely known inside and outside our borders. The Héviz lake is the second largest thermal-water lake in the world. the 32-34 °C water promises kind recreation even during the Winter.

The Balaton region has many spots of archeological interest to visit. Castle and temple ruins, heritages of the Middle-Ages represent the architecture of the past. There are many things to see starting with the Kinizsi-Castle in Nagyvázsony, the 'Csillagvár' castle in Balatonszentgyörgy or the world-famous Festetics-castle.

Beside the beautiful castles, the country-houses of the region deserve our attention. The intimate porches of the farmhouses of the Káli-basin represent the greatness of the area.

The Balaton region is the spot for more and more wine- and harvest festivals. Those who wish to amuse can choose among wine-festivals, wine-weeks, harvest-festivals from January till September. Talking of celebration we must mention the Sail-Hoisting celebration of Balatonfüred in May or the Anna-ball on the last Saturday of July. Excellent programmes wait visitors in the Valley of Arts in Kapolcs.

The cross-Balaton swimming competition is one of the most popular events of the year, where everone can try his or her swimming skills from Révfülöp to Balatonboglár.

Buzsák is the keeper of the traditions. The rich folk-art of the area, the hand-made clothes, the traditional clothing, are well-known all over Europe.

The wines and the wine-culture of the region are important aspects of the area's characteristics.

The cuisine of the Balaton region follows the traditions of centuries. Thanks to the proximity of the lake and the work of the local fishermen we always find fish-dishes in the market. The most delicious fish is the 'fogas' pike, rolled in flour and paprika-powder, and fried in hot oil. But we also have to taste Balaton fishsoup, the beef-stew, and the 'meatbag', which is meat baked in pasta. Quench your thirst with the mineral water of Kékkút.

The Lake Balaton is our past. Come and discover it.

Accommodation at lake Balaton:

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