Balaton circle

"Cycling around Lake Balaton" – the 200 km classic. If it's not on your bucket list, it's not a real bucket list. Lake Balaton and its surroundings are Hungary's most popular cycling destination, offering an endless source of experiences for lovers of diverse landscapes, active recreation, wine and gastronomic delights, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

A well-established and comfortable itinerary for the two-hundred-kilometer journey:

Day 1: Starting from Balatonföldvár, you can cycle comfortably through Balatonszárszó, Balatonőszöd, Balatonszemes, and Balatonlelle, enjoying the scenic route. It's worth making a short detour at Balatonboglár to visit the area from Xantus János Observation Tower. The bike path consists of dedicated lanes and designated cycling routes on public roads, often lined with magnificent plane trees, with virtually no significant elevation changes along the southern shore. Numerous restaurants, snack bars, and refreshment points are available along the way. If you haven't already taken a swim, you can enjoy the waters of Lake Balaton at the untouched public beach in Balatonmáriafürdő after Fonyód and Balatonfenyves. From here, passing through the capital of Western Balaton, Keszthely, we arrive in Vonyarcvashegy and check into our accommodation. The length of this section is approximately 70 km.

Day 2: After the primarily flat terrain of the first day, we continue cycling through the hilly Balaton Uplands. It's worth visiting Szigliget Castle or the wine cellars of Badacsony. Then, either along the shores of Lake Balaton or by passing through the villages of the Káli Basin – Káptalantóti, Mindszentkálla, Köveskál – we reach Zánka, where an elegantly designed beach invites us for lunch and a dip. Depending on the time spent in Szigliget and Badacsony, we can decide whether to visit the Hegyestű Geological Visitor Center or the Monoszló Lavender Farm. From Zánka, we "roll" into Balatonfüred, where we can choose from various accommodation options. The length of this section is approximately 70 km.

Day 3: Continuing through Csopak and Balatonalmádi, we then conquer the hill of Kenese, followed by a rewarding panoramic view from Akarattya's high shore after a break in Balatonfűzfő. From here – optionally, passing through the high shore of Világos or the former party resort, Club Aliga – we pass through Siófok and Zamárdi, leading us back to our starting point in Balatonföldvár. The length of this section is approximately 70 km.