Somehow, it’s already been four months since I visited a new country, my latest being my travels to Thailand and Liechtenstein in February and March.
It marks the longest time I’ve stayed in one place in more than three years and the longest I’ve stayed at home in Salzburg since I moved here. It feels strange for me, waking up in the same bed every morning, drinking the same coffee from the same mug. No plans, no booked trips. Some days I wake up and decide to spend the day on my balcony, coffee and book in hand. Others, I get on my bike and discover secret little spots. But, like a constant thread weaving through it all, is the element of sameness. A little bubble has safely enveloped me in Salzburg and the immediate surrounds, never stepping foot further than what I can reach within an hour or two. I’ve tried to absorb all that Salzburg could give me this summer, healing, resting, enjoying.
But my restless heart has awoken from its slumber…
In need of a change of scenery, I booked a spontaneous two-week trip through four southeastern European countries. I booked the trip two days before I left and it all felt both a bit of a rush but also calm and right. I'll be spending the next two weeks traveling by train from my home in Salzburg to Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
First stop: Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe. So large, in fact, that it can be seen with the naked eye from space! I visited Hungary last year but only had time for a long weekend in Budapest.
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting Budapest!
I've had Lake Balaton on my wish list for quite a few years now and it thrills me that the opportunity presented itself to spend a long weekend there. Lake Balaton is probably the most popular summer destination in all of Hungary, with Budapest residents flocking there in droves to escape the city.
By flight: The closest international airport to Lake Balaton is in nearby Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting Budapest!
By car: The easiest way to travel to Lake Balaton is with your own wheels so that you can explore the entirety of the lake at your own leisure.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Budapest.
By train: I traveled to Lake Balaton by train from my home in Salzburg. I took a direct five-hour train from Salzburg to Budapest Kelenföld and then transfered to a regional train which took another two and a half hours.
→ Book a regional train from Budapest to Lake Balaton.
By day tour: While researching Lake Balaton, I also found many day tours available from Budapest, including transport. This could be a great option if you're already in Budapest and have a spare day to visit Lake Balaton and would like to go the guided route!
Mosonmagyaróvár
First view of Lake Balaton from the train
Arriving in Révfülöp
By car: The easiest way to travel to Lake Balaton is with your own wheels so that you can explore the entirety of the lake at your own leisure.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Budapest.
By public transport: Regional trains and buses service the many different villages and towns around Lake Balaton making exploring totally possible even without a car.
For example, from Révfülöp, I took a train to Balatonfüred from where buses run regularly, such as the 7355 bus to Tihany.
→ Check out my guide to visiting Tihany at Lake Balaton!
I also took a bus from Balatonfüred (which also stops in Révfülöp) to Szigliget to visit the fortress.
→ Check out my guide to visiting Szigligeti Var at Lake Balaton!
A bus at Balatonfüred station
With European summer in full swing, prices are always higher, so I decided to hostel my way through this eastern European solo trip.
→ Learn how I find and book good hostels!
There is a only one hostel around Lake Balaton in Révfülöp, just a few minutes walk from the shores of the lake. Hullam Hostel is a family-run little spot with dorms and private rooms, the cheapest of which, at the time of writing, were just €16 per night! It was basic and did the trick; the location was really perfect.
→ Book your stay at the Hullam Hostel.
→ Check out other places to stay to suit your budget and accommmodation type.
Hullam Hostel
I had three days at Lake Balaton and was traveling by public transport. With Lake Balaton being the largest lake in central Europe, there is simply no way you can see it all in a short time.
Based on my research and reading other blogs, here's what I did during my time at this peaceful lake getaway:
Hang out on Szigeti Strand
There are countless strands dotted all around the lake, so pick the one that's closest to you as they all offer beautiful lakefront access. I was surprised at how warm and pleasant Lake Balaton was!
Grab an ice cream or dinner at Révfülöpi móló
This seems to be the place to be in the evenings in Révfülöp and you'll find restaurants and ice cream stalls serving up yummy holiday lakeside food and a few boutique little shops too. There's a really lovely atmosphere in the air; you can also wander down the pier and get a idyllic view looking back towards the shore.
Experience the lavender town of Tihany
Definitely a highlight of my weekend in Lake Balaton! Tihany is a little peninsula jutting into Lake Balaton, south of Balatonfüred. It is famous for its lavender (my favourite flower of all - I've traveled the world in search of it!) and produces so many gorgeous products - from body and home care to food, teas, jewelry, clothes and other goods.
Visit the impressive fortress of Szigligeti Var
One of the highlights of my time visiting Lake Balaton was my afternoon spent exploring Szigligeti Var, an impressive medieval fortress. Built 750 years ago, this medieval fortress is perched on Várhegy hill. It was built from 1260 by Favus of Pannonhalma and once protected the lake.
Hike up to Fülöp-hegyi Millenniumi kilátó
This tower was the perfect morning hike above Révfülöp. Offering panoramic views across the lake, you hike up to the tower and then you can climb the round stairs inside for free to the top.
→ Check out my guide to hiking Fülöp-hegyi Millenniumi kilátó!
BOOK AN EXPERIENCE AT LAKE BALATON!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
