Lake Balaton Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton Location in Hungary
Location of Lake Balaton within Hungary
Location	Hungary
Coordinates	46°51′00″N 17°43′12″E / 46.85000°N 17.72000°E / 46.85000; 17.72000
Type	Rift lake
Primary inflows	Zala River
Primary outflows	Sió
Catchment area	5,174 km² (1,998 sq mi)
Basin countries	Hungary

Max. length	78 km (48 mi)
Max. width	14 km (8.7 mi)
Surface area	600 km² (230 sq mi)
Average depth	3.3 m (11 ft)
Max. depth	12.2 m (40 ft)
Water volume	1.9 km³ (0.46 cu mi)
Residence time	2 years
Shore length¹	235 km (146 mi)
Surface elevation	104.8 m (344 ft)

Settlements	Keszthely, Siófok, Balatonfüred (see list)

Ramsar Wetland
Designated:	17 March 1989
Reference #:	421

¹ Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Balaton is a large freshwater lake in Hungary. It is the biggest lake in Central Europe. This makes it a very popular place for tourists to visit. The Zala River flows into the lake. The Sió canal is the only river that flows out of it.

The northern side of the lake has mountains and a rich history. It is also famous for its wine-making. The southern side is flat and has many resort towns. Places like Balatonfüred and Hévíz became popular resorts early on. Later, in the 1800s, more people started building summer homes there. They rented these homes to families who wanted to enjoy the lake.

What's in a Name?
Weather and Climate Around Balaton
A Look at Balaton's Past
Fun Times and Tourism
Towns and Villages Around the Lake
- North Shore Towns
- South Shore Towns
Gallery
See also

What's in a Name?

In Hungarian, Lake Balaton is called a Balaton. This is special because most other Hungarian lakes have the word -tó (meaning 'lake') at the end of their names. The Romans called it lacus Pelsodis or Pelso. The name 'Balaton' comes from an old Slavic word meaning 'mud' or 'swamp'. This is because the area used to be very marshy.

In the year 846, a Slavic prince named Pribina built a strong fort near the lake. This fort was called Blatnohrad, which means 'Swamp Fortress'. It helped protect the area from other groups. The German name for the lake is Plattensee.

Weather and Climate Around Balaton

Map of Balaton in ancient times

Balaton seen from Sentinel-2 satellite

Lake Balaton actually changes the weather around it. The area gets more rain than other parts of Hungary. This means more cloudy days and milder temperatures. In winter, the lake's surface often freezes over.

The special climate around Lake Balaton is also great for growing grapes. The weather is a bit like the Mediterranean. The soil also has volcanic rock. This mix has made the region famous for its wines for over two thousand years, even since the time of the Roman Empire.

A Look at Balaton's Past

Spread of Seuso at Lake Balaton

For a long time, only rich Hungarian families visited resorts like Balatonfüred and Hévíz. But in the late 1800s, more people from the middle class started coming. When railways were built in 1861 and 1909, even more tourists arrived. After the 1950s, tourism grew a lot.

By the early 1900s, scientists began studying Lake Balaton. They looked at its biology, geology, and water. This led to Hungary's first biological research institute being built on the lake's shore in 1927.

During World War II, a big battle happened near Lake Balaton in March 1945. It was called "the Lake Balaton Offensive." German and Hungarian armies fought against the Red Army. The Red Army won the battle. Some old planes shot down during the war have been found in the lake.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Hungarian government worked hard to make Balaton a top tourist spot. Millions of people visited each summer. Many ordinary Hungarian families came for holidays. People from East Germany and other Eastern European countries also visited. Even West Germans could come. This made Balaton a place where families separated by the Berlin Wall could meet until 1989.

Fun Times and Tourism

The most popular places to visit around the lake are Siófok, Keszthely, and Balatonfüred. Zamárdi, on the southern shore, hosts a big electronic music festival called Balaton Sound every year. Siófok is known for its lively clubs, popular with young people. Keszthely has the beautiful Festetics Palace. Balatonfüred is a historic bathing town that holds the yearly Anna Ball.

The best time to visit is from June to August. The water temperature is usually around 25 °C (77 °F), which is perfect for swimming. Most beaches have grass, rocks, or soft sand. Many resorts have built sandy beaches. You can also go sailing, fishing, or do other water sports. Exploring the countryside, visiting wineries, and enjoying the nightlife are also popular. The Tihany Peninsula is a historic area. Badacsony is a volcanic mountain with vineyards and a lakeside resort. There are bike paths all around the lake, making it great for cycling.

Even in winter, Balaton is popular. People go ice-fishing or skate, sledge, or even ice-sail if the lake freezes solid. Sármellék International Airport offers flights to Balaton, mostly during the summer. Other fun towns to visit include Balatonalmádi, Balatonboglár, Balatonlelle, Fonyód, and Vonyarcvashegy.