Family holidays at Lake Balaton

Sitting outside of the eurozone, Hungary is shaping up to be one of the best value destinations for travel this year – and families looking for a beach holiday that won’t break the bank should take a look at resorts around Lake Balaton.

Known locally as the 'Hungarian Sea', Lake Balaton’s northern shore is around a two hour drive from Budapest Airport and is easily combined with a few days exploring the stunning Hungarian capital.

It’s the largest freshwater lake in central Europe and, because of its size, looks more like a sea than a lake. It’s where Hungarians go to play during the summer time, creating a fantastic resort atmosphere with plenty going on to entertain the whole family.

There are many activities for enthusiasts on the lake, or close by, including swimming in the silky, shallow water, sailing and kite surfing; walking and horse riding, golfing and bird watching, wine tasting and exploring the lakes historic towns and palaces.

With sunshine also expected throughout June to late September, and water temperatures of around 25C, it is a great alternative beach holiday destination for families this year.

Three main tourist resorts

Balatonfüred is a grand resort on the north shore with an aristocratic legacy - first mentioned in written works of the nearby Tihany Abbey in 1211.

The resort rose to prominence in the early 1700s when a spa was established.

The elegant town, with its Baroque high street, was one of the first tourist towns on Balaton and maintains an air of elegance and quiet superiority even today. The origins of its opulence can partly be traced back to the town's mineral springs ("füred" means "baths") and the town is now home to one of Europe's top heart hospitals.

In the 19th century, Balatonfüred was something of an artists colony famously patronised by Hungarian opera legend Lujza Blaha and famous author and politician Mór Jókai.

Visiting guests can stay at the three star all-inclusive Danubius Hotel Marina located directly on the shore of Lake Balaton in Balatonfüred.

Families will love the hotel as it has its own private beach and plenty of activities such as swimming, tennis and rent-a-bike to keep everyone amused, plus lots of things for kids including a mini club house, a playground and lagoon, and children’s buffet.

Prices are from €70 (£60) per person per night (children over seven and under 14, get a 50 per cent discount, children two to six years a 70 per cent discount and children, one year and under are free when sharing their parent’s room).

The price includes accommodation, three meals a day with local wine, beer and aperitifs, plus an entertainment programme for the children. The hotel opens from the end of April until the end of September.

Across the lake Keszthely is the oldest settlement on Lake Balaton and was an important hub of commerce in Roman times.

The beautiful Festetics Mansion with its ornate wrought iron gate, surrounded by an English park, is the third largest chateau in the country and one of the most popular attractions in Hungary. Other attractions include the Balaton Museum that details the history of bathing culture and the local flora and fauna, plus archaeological and ethnographic memorabilia of 7,000 years, and the Safari Park and Africa Museum established by the renowned Hungarian hunter, Endre Von Nagy, with camels, buffaloes and zebras plus a rich collection of African artifacts.

It is also worth visiting Lake Héviz, just a short distance from the town, famous as the second largest thermal water lake in the world - with a summer temperature of 33-35°C.

The lake’s therapeutic waters and thermal mud are utilized in the pampering and relaxation packages available at the resort. Additional treatments can be booked at extra cost including aromatic oil and traditional body brush massages and Dead Sea salt or Cleopatra baths.

Holidaymakers are invited to stay at the three star Hotel Helikon, located on the shore of Lake Balaton. The location offers a wide range of facilities including private beach, swimming pool, wellness and sport facilities.

Prices are from €106 (£90) per room per night for two adults sharing in July on a half board basis. Child discounts are available.

Finally, Siófok is the largest town on the southern side of Lake Balaton and is known for being the party town of the lake with a lively atmosphere during the summer months.

Its port serves every boat route on the lake and is where many cruise boats that take people on trips around the lake start from. The resort is very busy over the weekends in July and August, culminating in the public holiday on August 20th. The focal point is the Coca-Cola Beach House where big-name Hungarian bands play to the sun-baked revellers.

The promenade along the beach front is a hedonist hotspot with plenty of bars and restaurants for a small city.

Visitors can stay at the four star Janus Atrium Hotel a boutique hotel ideal for families in the centre of town.

The hotel features a spa, indoor pool and individually designed rooms and is only 400 metres from the sandy shore of Lake Balaton. Prices in July are around €120 (£110) per room per night for two adults and one child under 12.

There are also plenty of self catering, bed and breakfast and villa options in and around Siófok.

Getting there

Fly to Budapest with Wizzair from Luton; easyJet from Gatwick and Stansted; Malev from Gatwick; British Airways from Heathrow; Ryanair from Glasgow, Bristol and East Midlands and Jet2 from Manchester.

Prices start at £76 per person with Wizzair from London Luton (20 minutes train from Kings Cross) in July.

Car hire for one week is from €327 (£300) in July from Budapest Airport with Regina Rent-a-car and includes unlimited mileage, insurance and green card.

Balatonfüred is only 150km from Budapest Airport and Héviz is 200km.

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