Lake Balaton is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary and is also the largest lake in Central Europe. Lake Balaton is located in the west of the country and sometimes referred to as the Hungarian Sea, as Hungary is a landlocked country. It is believed that the name Balaton is derived from the Slavic terms which mean 'muddy lake'. The largest inflow to Lake Balaton is provided by the Zala River. The lake has only one outflow, the artificial channel Sio.

There are several resorts around Lake Balaton such as Siofok, Keszthely and Balatonfured. The Lake Balaton region also has a number of attractions and is fast becoming known as a hot spot for young party goers in the summer.

The summer months of June, July and August are the most popular times to visit Lake Balaton and it's surrounding areas. There are many activities such as swimming, sailing, fishing and other watersports. Some of the major attractions in the area are the wineries, night life in the south, Badacsony Mountain (volcanic and also a wine growing region) and the Festetics Palace.

Festetics Palace is located in the town of Keszthely on the western shore of Lake Balaton. Construction on this Baroque style palace began in 1745 by Kristof Festetics and went for over a century. Festetics Palace is one of the three largest country homes in Hungary and has housed an independent museum, the Helikon Castle Museum, since 1974.

Hotels in Lake Balaton

Below are a selection of Hotels located in Lake Balaton, Hungary. Alternatively, you can browse through all Lake Balaton Hotels.