Balatonfüred is a small and picturesque town on the north shore of Lake Balaton. For many years during the 19th century it was a popular vacation haunt of artists, aristocrats, politicians and wealthy socialites. They came for many of the reasons that draw today's visitors. Namely, the scenery, mineral waters and architecture. Visit beautiful old buildings, relax on a beach and find refreshment at a carbonated mineral spring.
Start your visit with a tour of the town and its historical buildings. See the National Heart Hospital, housed in a grand 19th-century building. Sip the sour-tasting mineral water at the Kossuth Lajos Pump House. Explore the Jókai Memorial Museum, which is situated in the former summer home of Hungarian dramatist and novelist Mór Jókai. See his writing desk and family memorabilia. Stop by the tiny Round Church and view The Crucifixion, an 1891 painting by János Vaszary
Balatonfüred's history stretches back far beyond its 19th-century buildings. The town is part of the Balatonfüred–Csopak region, a prominent Hungarian wine district with more than 2,000 years of history. Go on a tour of local wineries and sample the wines.
On hot days, sunbathe and swim at Esterházy Beach. In winter, the frozen lake attracts ice skaters and ice hockey players. Find more water-based fun at the Annagora Aquapark, just 1,640 feet (500 meters) from the lake. Swim in heated outdoor and indoor pools, hurl your body down slides and enjoy the thrills of the wave pool.
As evening falls, take a sunset stroll along the Tagore Promenade. This lakeside walkway is named after Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel Prize-winning poet. He was cared for by the heart hospital in 1926. Find a restaurant with views of the lake.
Get to the scenic beaches, wineries and historical buildings of Balatonfüred by flying into Hévíz–Balaton Airport or the Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, which is 98 miles (158 kilometers) away. Complete the rest of your journey from the capital to Balatonfüred by train, bus or rental car.
