Tihany & Balatonfüred

Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, is Hungary's summer seaside. On its north shore the Tihany peninsula rises into the lake: a Benedictine abbey founded in 1055 above the village, an inner crater lake, Echo Hill, old geyser cones and lavender fields that bloom in late June and July. Next door, the spa town of Balatonfüred has a lakeside promenade named after Rabindranath Tagore, who recovered at its heart sanatorium in 1926 and planted a lime tree there; his bust stands beside it. Swimming beaches (strand), sailing and lake boats run from about May to September; out of season the shore is quiet and many places close. Trains from Budapest take about two hours to Balatonfüred, then a short bus to Tihany; a car ferry crosses from Tihany to Szántód on the south shore all year.

Highlights

• Tihany Abbey and its view over the lake
• Lavender fields in bloom (late June – July)
• Inner Lake and Echo Hill on the peninsula
• Tagore's bust and lime tree on the Balatonfüred promenade
• Swimming from a Balaton beach in summer
• Sailing boats and sunsets on the lake

Things to do

• Tihany Abbey, its crypt and the view over the lakeMorning · 1h 30m
• Tihany peninsula walk: Inner Lake, Echo Hill and the geyser conesMorning · 3h
• Tagore Promenade in Balatonfüred: his bust and the lime tree he planted in 1926Evening · 1h 30m
• Swim at a Lake Balaton beachJun–AugAfternoon · 3h
• Lake boat between Balatonfüred and TihanyMay–SepAfternoon · 1h 30m
• Lavender fields in bloom (late June – July)Jun–JulMorning · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: June – August

• Lavender season — The lavender fields on the Tihany peninsula bloom from about late June into July, with pick-your-own fields and lavender stalls in the village. Weekends are crowded; go early in the day.