Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

198  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION SOUTHERN TR ANSD ANUBIA  199

t Lake Balaton Tour
1 Zamárdi Tips for Drivers
A world away from
Lake Balaton is often referred to as Budapest-on-Sea, noisy Siófok, Zamárdi is Length: 87 km (54 miles)
and during the summer months it may seem as if half the home to some fine Stopping-off points: All of the
shore resorts have a wide range
population of the capital has decamped here. Lake Balaton, thatched cottages, of restaurants to choose from.
including this arcaded
however, at 596 sq km (230 sq miles) the largest lake in house on Fő utca, now For a quieter ambience, the
central Europe, is big enough to cope, and even in the high the village’s museum. many small places in Buzsák
season the visitor is never far from a peaceful spot. Most are recom mended. The best
panoramic lake views are from
of the southern side of the lake is very shallow, with an the top of Bokros-hegy, above
average depth of just 3.5 m (11 ft), and the waters are Balatonberény.
fairly warm, making this the most popular shore with 2 Balatonföldvár ∑ balaton-tourism.hu
Look out for the remains of the Iron
bathers and families. Age fortifications (földvár) that gave this VeszprémVeszprém BalatonfűzfőBalatonfűzfő
small town its name. The village’s leafy
Marina in Siófok, departure point for pleasure q Kis-Balaton promenade is generally considered
cruises and water sports The Kis-Balaton the finest on the lake’s south shore. BalatonalmádiBalatonalmádi BalatonkeneseBalatonkenese
nature reserve at the
r Siófok mouth of the Zala BudapestBudapest
river covers an area 3 Kőröshegy
88 km (54 miles) southwest of Buda- of 40 sq km (15 sq A short detour south of VeszprémVeszprém
pest. Road Map C4. * 23,000. miles). It is inhabited Balatonföldvár is Kőröshegy,
£ from Buda pest. @ from Buda pest. by many rare plants where a well-preserved J J
4 from Balatonfüred, Tihany. n and animals. Gothic fortified church BalatonfüredBalatonfüred
Tourinform, Fő tér 11, (84) 69 62 36. was built in 1460.
_ Siófok Summer Evenings (Jun–
Aug). ∑ siofokportal.com
TihanyTihany
0 Balatonberény
The largest and liveliest resort on One of the first genuine resorts on the J SiófokSiófok
J
Lake Balaton’s southern coast, lake to become popular, Balatonberény ZánkaZánka SzekszárdSzekszárd
Siófok stretches along the shore retains a late 19th-century charm, most J J
for 17 km (11 miles). It is popular apparent in its delightful lakeside
with weekenders from Budapest, cottages and rural houses. TapolcaTapolca
many of whom have holiday SopronSopron
L a k e B a l a t o
homes in the town. The main BadacsonytomajBadacsonytomaj
attraction is the beach. It is split
in two parts – Aranypart (Golden L a k e B a l a t o n n BalatonlelleBalatonlelle
Shore) to the north and Ezüst- ZalaegerszegZalaegerszeg KeszthelyKeszthely BalatonboglárBalatonboglár HalastóHalastó
J
J
part (Silver Shore) to the south – J J
by the Sió canal, which was J J J KaposvárKaposvár 4 Balatonszemes
J
originally built by the Romans in This quiet resort has a Postal and
AD 276. Like all of Lake Balaton’s Carriage Museum. Its tree-lined
resorts, however, Siófok offers streets are ideal for a stroll and
mainly grass beaches. The nearby is an aquapark.
resort’s marina is at the head of
the canal, from where pleasure LengyeltótiLengyeltóti
cruisers and ferries depart for the BarcsBarcs 0 kilometres 10
Tihany Peninsula (see p206). 0 miles 5
The port is a good place to find
sailing boats for hire, and to
organize a variety of other water NagykanizsaNagykanizsa 8 Balatonfenyves 5 Somogyvár
sports (see p291). This small resort is very popular Somogyvár is well worth the detour
with families. A miniature railway
Visitors should note that ZalakarosZalakaros runs to a nearby thermal bath. south from Buzsák – the impressive ruins
during the summer nights KaposvárKaposvár of the Benedictine monastery here date
Siófok comes alive with tens back to the 11th century. Key
of thousands of young people
looking for a good time in 6 Buzsák Motorway
the resort’s innumerable bars, 9 Balatonmáriafürdő 7 Fonyód The Living Museum of Arts and Tour route
discos and nightclubs, many This lively resort attracts Unremarkable as a resort, Crafts at Buzsák is the best place Major road
of which are in the open air. water sports enthusiasts Fonyód sits at the foot of the around Balaton to learn about the Other road
If an early, quiet night is and those looking for a largest hill on the southern traditions of the lake and its
required, one of the smaller good range of bars and shore, Várhegy (233 m/764 ft), people. Fine cloth, pottery and Major railway
resorts along the coast would restaurants. which is an extinct volcano. costumes are still made here. Ferry line
be a far better option.
Pontoon and pavilion on Lake Balaton at Keszthely For keys to map symbols see back flap
Hun_198-199.indd 198 17/02/2015 12:49 Hun_198-199.indd 199 17/02/2015 12:49