North or south shore of Balaton: where to swim and what to see
In summer, people head to Lake Balaton for warm water, wine, and views, but before the trip one question comes up: the north shore or the south shore?
The short answer: for swimming and sightseeing, choose the north shore, because it is deeper and the water drops off more quickly. This is where you will find the thermal Lake Heviz, Szigliget Castle, the Tihany Peninsula, and Balatonfured. The south shore is shallower, so at many beaches you have to walk out to reach deeper water, but the sand is wider and the water is warmer.
The Heviz baths welcome guests year-round (as of 09/2026, official Lake Heviz website).
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North or south shore: which to choose
💡 In short:
- The north shore is deeper: swimming is more convenient, and the views are defined by volcanic hills and vineyards.
- The south shore is shallower and flatter: easier for families with children, but deeper water starts farther from the shore.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Szigliget Castle website.
The north shore stretches from Keszthely to Balatonfured, and it has a denser concentration of sights and wine cellars. We recommend the north for those who want to combine swimming with excursions and short drives.
The south shore is chosen for its beaches and nightlife, and its main town is Siofok, the center of nighttime entertainment on the lake.
What to compare | North shore | South shore |
|---|---|---|
Water depth | deeper near the shore | shallow, you have to walk to reach depth |
Shoreline | volcanic hills, vineyards | flat, wide beaches |
Main towns | Heviz, Szigliget, Tihany, Balatonfured, Keszthely | Siofok |
Atmosphere | wine, thermal water, views | beaches, nightlife |
Best for | those coming for swimming and sightseeing | those coming for the beach and parties |
If warm water and sand matter more, choose the south, and if you want views and wine, the north will suit you. Both shores are connected by trains and buses, so the choice does not lock you in for a week.
What to see on the north shore
The north is denser in terms of sights, so we have gathered the places worth seeing on a first trip.
Heviz: the thermal lake
Heviz grew up around a thermal lake, and that is the main reason to come here. The baths are open year-round, and entry is paid (as of 09/2026, Heviz pricing page). Come in the morning, because by midday the walkways get crowded.
© Oleg Andriychuk · CC BYPhoto: Oleg Andriychuk, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsSzigliget: castle and vineyards
Szigliget sits on an extinct volcano above the lake, and a castle rises above the village. It is open year-round: until 8:00 PM in summer, until 4:00 PM in winter, with last entry half an hour before closing. An adult ticket costs 2,000 forints, a child ticket 1,000 (as of 09/2026, official Szigliget Castle website). From the village you climb up to the walls and see the lake from above.
© Kontiki · CC BY-SAPhoto: Kontiki, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/hu/deed.en), Wikimedia CommonsTihany: peninsula and abbey
Tihany cuts into the lake as a narrow peninsula, and on the hill stands an old Benedictine abbey with two towers, the main landmark of the north shore. Inside the peninsula lies the small lake Belso-to, with trails leading to it. From the hill the entire bay opens up before you, which is why people come here toward evening.
© Itto Ogami · CC BYPhoto: Itto Ogami, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsBalatonfured: the "capital" of Lake Balaton
Balatonfured is called the capital of Lake Balaton, and here you will find mineral water springs and a pleasant promenade lined with plane trees. It is close to Tihany, and Szigliget is about 50 km away. In summer the boulevard is lovely for an evening stroll once the heat subsides.
© Takkk · CC BY-SAPhoto: Takkk, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsTours and tickets in Balaton
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Swimming and beaches
Swimming depends on the shore: in the north, deeper water starts close to the shore, so swimmers are more comfortable here. In the south the bottom slopes gently, and to start swimming you have to walk dozens of meters. Both shores have beaches with lifeguards and changing rooms.
With children, choose the south, because the water warms up faster and the entry into the water is gentle. If you are coming for swimming, choose the north.
Hotels near Lake Balaton beaches on Trip.com
When to go
The season at Lake Balaton is short and hot, and the water warms up by June, so the peak swimming period falls in July and August. In May the water is brisk, but there are fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation. In September it is still warm, and the beaches empty out.
If you want warm water, plan your trip for July.
How to get there
The most convenient way to reach Lake Balaton is by train, since trains from Budapest stations run directly to Balatonfured and Keszthely. Tickets are sold at the ticket office and online, and the journey takes a couple of hours; a car gives you more freedom once you are there.
From Budapest Airport, first get to the city, then take a train from there. Via the M7 motorway you will reach the south shore noticeably faster than the north shore.
Train tickets for Hungary on Trip.com
Where to stay
As a base for the north shore, people usually choose Balatonfured, Tihany, or Keszthely, and each town has its own character. Balatonfured is convenient for excursions, Tihany is quieter and closer to nature, and Keszthely suits families with children.
People stay in Heviz for the thermal lake: you bathe in the morning, then explore the surroundings in the afternoon. Accommodation prices in the north are higher than in the south, especially in July and August.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Which shore of Lake Balaton should I choose for swimming?
For swimming, choose the north, and for relaxing with children in shallow water, choose the south.
When is the best time to visit Lake Balaton?
The period from June to August is suitable for swimming, but accommodation is most expensive in July and August.
How much does entry to Szigliget Castle cost?
An adult ticket costs 2,000 forints, a child ticket for ages 6 to 18 costs 1,000 (as of 09/2026, Szigliget Castle website).
What is there to do in Heviz besides bathing?
Heviz is home to a thermal lake, around which a resort town has grown, and nearby lie the wineries of Badacsony and the Balaton Uplands, from which it is easy to reach Keszthely and Szigliget. The baths are open year-round, entry is paid (as of 09/2026, Heviz baths website).
Where should I stay on the north shore?
Balatonfured is good for excursions: Tihany is nearby, Szigliget is about 50 km away, and Heviz is about 70 km away. There is less accommodation in Tihany, so you should book there earlier.
In short: what to book
The north shore of Lake Balaton wins on sights and depth, while the south shore takes the prize for warm water and beaches. If you have a week and a thirst for excursions, choose the north; if you want warm shallow water and nightlife, look to the south.
For July and August, book accommodation in advance, because options disappear quickly.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.