Lake Balaton, poetically called the 'Hungarian Sea', is Central Europe's largest lake and Hungary's favorite summer playground. Its shallow, quickly warming water, volcanic hills covered in vineyards, and relaxed lakeside towns give the region a unique holiday atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country.

The scenery around the lake varies dramatically from shore to shore. The northern side is dominated by the volcanic cones of the Balaton Uplands, wrapped in vineyards and dotted with basalt outcrops, while the southern shore offers long, gentle sandy beaches perfect for families. The Tihany Peninsula juts into the water, splitting the lake and offering sweeping views from its historic abbey hill. In summer the water fills with sailboats, and sunsets over the lake are famously spectacular.

Highlights:

• Tihany Peninsula — Benedictine abbey, lavender fields and panoramic lake views
• Badacsony — volcanic hill with vineyards, wine cellars and viewpoints
• Keszthely — the official 'capital of Balaton', home to the Festetics Palace
• Balatonfüred — spa town on the north shore with thermal springs

Practical info:

• Best season: May-September — warm water and full swimming season
• Base towns: Siófok, Keszthely, Balatonfüred
• Trail difficulty: easy — flat walking and cycling routes around the lake
• Getting there: M7 motorway from Budapest (about 1.5-2 hours), direct trains to Siófok and Balatonfüred

Despite covering 600 square kilometers, Balaton's deepest point, the so-called 'Tihany Well', is only around 11 meters deep — one of the shallowest large lakes in Europe.