Hungary’s stunning lakes beyond Lake Balaton – PHOTOS

In Hungary, there are numerous alternatives to Lake Balaton, including locally known and beloved lakes with sandy shores, which are often free of crowds.

For many, a weekend or even a day trip to the Hungarian Sea is a luxury, but there are still many beautiful lakes to visit in the country. Hungary boasts over 50 natural lakes with designated beaches suitable for swimming. Pénzcentrum has listed these, including some well-known and some less well-known bathing sites in both the eastern and western parts of the country.

Explore the beauty and tranquillity of Hungarian lakes

Lake Hévíz is situated along the western slope of the Keszthely plateau, in the Hévíz valley, near the town of Hévíz. Covering 4.44 hectares and surrounded by 50 hectares of forest, it is Europe’s largest warm-water lake with healing properties. Unlike other hot springs typically found in clay or rocky soils of volcanic origin, Lake Hévíz is a peat-bed spring fed by water at 38°C.

In summer, the temperature ranges from 33-35°C, occasionally reaching 36-38°C on very hot days. In autumn and winter, the temperature is around 24-26°C. The water temperature has a soothing and relaxing effect on bathers and patients, as it is considered neutral to the human body’s thermoregulatory system.

Lake Tisza is another of Hungary’s best-known lakes. Excluding the part of Lake Fertő outside the border, it is Hungary’s second-largest artificial lake. Located on the Tisza in the northern part of the Great Plain, it was formerly known as Kiskörei reservoir and was initially created for river regulation. Over time, it has developed its own ecology and tourism, becoming a popular destination for hikers, fishermen, and bathers. Although originally artificial, its beach is now classified as a natural bathing site.

The Fertő, or Lake Fertő, is one of Hungary’s most famous lakes, located along the north-western border near Sopron. About 20,000 years old, it is the third-largest lake in Central Europe and the westernmost steppe lake and rocky outcrop in Europe. Most of it lies in Austria, with only a small part in Hungary. The Fertő Valley, including the lake, is a World Heritage Site. It is the second warmest lake in Central Europe after Lake Balaton, with summer temperatures often reaching 30°C. According to Fertő-tó.hu, there are 11 well-developed beaches offering sandy, grassy, or pebbly shorelines.

The Orfűi lakes are an artificial lake system about 10 km northwest of Pécs, at the northern foot of the Mecsek. The system, approximately 5 km long, consists of four lakes: Lake Orfűi, Lake Pécsi, Lake Herman Ottó, and Lake Kovácsszénájai. The lakes cover a total area of 113 hectares and are fed by the Vízfő spring.

Tourism in Orfű began in the 1960s with the development of the lake system. Initially, small holiday camps and fishing lodges were built alongside Lake Orfűi and Lake Pécsi, while farms and institutions established corporate holiday homes on the western side of Lake Pécsi. The Kis Lake beach is a natural beach with controlled water quality, a sandy bottom, and natural water.

The Sóstói-forest, located between Nyíregyháza and Sóstógyógyfürdő, surrounds the 9.5-hectare Sóstói-lakes. The natural beach, Tófürdő, is complemented by other nearby beach facilities like the Aquarius Adventure and Park Baths. The shores of Tófürdő are covered with sand from the Tisza, and a wooden building reminiscent of the Balatonfüred bathhouse, built in 1930, serves as the emblematic entrance to the baths.

Although many people have never heard of Lake Vadása, those who have often haven’t visited it. Lake Vadása is an artificial lake complex consisting of two lakes in southern Vas County, created by damming the Vadása stream. The lakes and the surrounding resort-like municipality can be reached from the centre of Hegyhátszentjakab.

Szelidi Lake is the fifth largest natural lake in Hungary. It is 5 km long, 150-200 meters wide, 3-4 meters deep, and has a surface area of approximately 80 hectares. Despite being only about 120 kilometres from Budapest, it is relatively unknown. The quiet sandy areas on the southern shore host well-developed and tidy beaches. Visitors can rent water bikes, and there are many small playgrounds and a giant slide for both adults and children.

Read also: 

• 5 great summer day trip destinations in Hungary for families with children – Read here
• 4 places to visit that are only 1 hour away from Budapest – Read here