5 must-visit destinations on the north-east coast of Lake Balaton

No one gets bored around Lake Balaton, as the Hungarian sea is awaiting everyone with a wide range of programs. You may choose from beaches, hiking trails, churches, and adventure parks. Here is what you shouldn’t miss on the northeast coast.

Balatonalmádi

Balatonalmádi, this friendly town at Lake Balaton is a picturesque settlement with numerous sporting and entertaining opportunities, with varied programs and exhibitions, with high quality accommodation ranging from campsite to four star hotel, and free parking. The beaches are along the Balaton Bike Road. In the heart of the city the eventful Wesselényi beach can be found, while the shady Budatava beach lies at the eastern port, and two small beaches on the west side, in the quarter Káptalanfüred.

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Almádi-Days and the Hungaricum Festival are entertaining the guests in June and July. The Almádi Wine Festival offers high-quality programs and the best wines of Hungary’s wine regions in August. The Harvest Festival and the Pumpkin Festival are awaiting the guests in autumn. If the weather permits, there is also an Ice Carnival in the winter. Those seeking active recreation may choose from cycling, hiking, horseback riding, sailing and boat trips among others. In addition, there is also a possibility to play tennis and beach volleyball. Indicated hiking trails are leading to the mountain ridges. While walking through the “Vörös Homokkő” (Red Sandstone) or the “Köcsi-tó” (Lake Köcsi) nature trail, we can get to know the history of this typical local stone and the wildlife in the neighborhood. Great fishing areas are awaiting the lovers of this hobby, and wellness enthusiasts are also welcome to recharge. The main attractions of the city are the fortified Calvinistic church, the Transylvanian St. Imre Church, the Holy Right Chapel with the golden mosaics and the hallows of St. Stephen, Blessed Gizella and St. Imre, the St. Ignatius Baroque Church and the Europe Sculpture Park in the St. Elizabeth Grove.

Tihany

The first things Tihany calls to our mind are probably the Benedictine Abbey or the fantastic lavender fields here. But the settlement has had a very famous and thrilling resident, IV. Charles the last Hungarian king. The ruler was deprived of his throne after the First World War, but he attempted to regain the Hungarian crown twice. Both attempts failed. He was taken to the Benedictine Abbey in Tihany. He remained here in “house custody” until he was delivered to his final retirement on the island of Madeira. The Benedictine Abbey is also worth visiting, because of their great craft products. All of them contain lavender. You should taste their lavender chocolate or liqueur. Believe me, it’s worth it.