The shores of Lake Balaton are full of superb beaches, depending on what we need. We can find modern ones equipped with everything, simple family-friendly, free beaches and a little more expensive, but they also thought of dogs and nudists who like to be pearly.
Whether it’s the northern or just southern shore of Lake Balaton, the lake is just teeming with better and better beaches waiting to be explored.
Let me introduce you to the best beaches around Lake Balaton.
| Beach | Whom do I recommend it to? | Price* |
| Great Beach in Siófok | Young people who love buzzing and good parties. | 1000 |
| Lido beach | Those who love water sports. | 1000 |
| Fun Beach | Families that want the kids to have a really good time. | 900 |
| Sajkod beach | People who are looking for a less bustling but more romantic beach. | 500 |
| Beach in Fövényes | People seeking beaches where there is no crowd and there are superfoods. | 600 |
| Keszthely City beach | Who would like to splash around Lake Balaton after the sights of historic Keszthely. | 950 |
| Pet-friendly beach | Those who want to go to the beach with their pets. | 500 |
| Beach in Balatonöszöd | Demanding, free beach seekers. | Free |
| Balatongyörök beach | This beautiful beach is an excellent choice, especially for families. | 1000 |
| Naturist camping | Those looking for a nudist beach in a picturesque setting. | 1200 |
The 10 Best Beaches Around Lake Balaton in 2022
1. The Great Beach in Siófok
The Great Beach (Nagystrand) in Siófok is the best. It is the most visited beach in the country: it can accommodate 13,500 people at a time, and even the famous Ferris wheel can be found here.
One thing is sure, during the summer season, almost half of the country will turn up here and not by accident. A slice of Miami is the place where music is played day and night, life spins, and beautiful bikini girls and kneaded guys sunbathe themselves.
What makes the atmosphere even more seaside-like are the white sand and palm trees planted here: the former Beach Club which now runs under the name Plázs, but its most important accessories have remained. The beautiful azure water of Lake Balaton, the white sparkling sand… indescribable sight together.
If you want to return home chocolate brown, you have plenty of opportunities for sunbathing: a 200 sqm pool and a 400 sqm pier await those who want to relax. Those who would take the figure a little more active can SUP in the water, but there’s teqball or they can work out on the Scitec muscle beach.
In the evenings, the shore section is open to the public: the illuminated Lake Balaton offers an unusual view for those who walk there.
On weekdays, during the day, the beach is for the beachgoers, and on weekends, the party plays the main role.
Concerts, parties everywhere, and every night you can party and relax at the waterfront venue of Music Terrace. I’m not telling you a big secret when I say this beach is aimed mainly at young people, so those who do not like to have a DJ providing the basic tone even while swimming should rather look for a quieter place for themselves.
If you want to relax in a really full, palm-fringed, sunny place where the party starts at night, this is the perfect choice.
Ticket prices are surprisingly friendly; in the pre-season, it is 800 HUF, and in the season’s peak time it is 1000 HUF for adults, for children it is 400 and 600 HUF.
2. Lido beach Vonyarcvashegy
An important place for my childhood was the Lido beach in Vonyarcvashegy, which has undergone tremendous development over the years.
No wonder why it has won the Beach of the Year award more than once in the region and on Lake Balaton. I recommend this place specifically to young people and sports enthusiasts, and to those who love buzzing around.
Although the beach is quite large, it is always full of people and there is never quiet here. There are also volleyball and handball, and even a soccer field for those who would move around a bit on land. And for water sports enthusiasts, there are surprisingly many opportunities, as if you weren’t on Lake Balaton.
There is a surf school here if you want to learn the basics now, and there is also an exciting water ski slope here, which is already an experience to watch. Kids and adults alike can try themselves at various inflated skill levels in the water.
In addition to all this, of course, there are also the well-known kayaks, canoes, and the indispensable waterfowl, if you want to splash a little further afield, in the deeper parts of the lake or relax a bit and of course, the delicacies. There are the usual lángos (fried dough bread), hamburger, ice cream, and fortunately the buffets here also try to add quality.
What’s more, some of the more famous restaurants in the area have moved out here, so we don’t have to give up nutritious and delicious food on the beach either.
The beach is usually open to visitors between 8 am and 8 pm, and money-wise the entry fees are 1000 HUF per day for an adult and 500 for a child.
3. Gyenesdiás Fun Beach
It’s already in its name, but for once, we certainly don’t have a chance to get bored here, as almost all forms of games can be found here.
I grew up in the area, so I know this beach well, which we have always considered a small quiet island. When you didn’t want to bump into any friends, you just wanted to relax, swim, and rest, you knew you came here.
Sure, the beautifully made beach has been expanded with a lot more options since then, but this slightly secluded, island of tranquility feeling has remained.
This is the place where you sure don’t have to pack half the household to be able to occupy the children, because that’s really all there is to it.
We can play petanque, minigolf, and there is also an outdoor chess and mill and of course a playground. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most beautiful beaches, with a beautiful sandy area and a sunbathing pier at our disposal.
Almost every minute, there is some kind of program, thanks to the animators, be it a minidisco or a quiz, or maybe a good little common water aerobics.
On the spacious, tree-lined beach, everyone will find what they need, be it a quiet rest or a hectic, sporty program, all in superb conditions.
In 2019, Gyenesdiás Fun Beach (Gyenesdiási Játékstrand) won the title of the family-friendly beach on Lake Balaton, so we really can’t doubt that we came to a good place to enjoy Lake Balaton.
This approach is also reflected in the prices, the adult day ticket is between 850-900 HUF on weekdays and weekends, while the child costs 500 HUF.
4. Tihany Sajkod beach
This small romantic beach is hidden away in the northwest corner of the Tihany peninsula, which perhaps escapes the attention of many, unfortunately.
This is the place that I recommend mainly to those who do not want anything fancy and exaggeration, they just really want to get close to nature and Lake Balaton.
There is plenty of green here as well as animals. Well, don’t be scared, wild boars won’t show up next to the towels, but we can listen to the birds.
The beach is lying on the southwest side, so the morning hours are not exactly the time to sunbathe, but if you are the type sitting in the shade, you should schedule it accordingly. From late afternoon, however, you can already take out the sunbeds and enjoy your tan.
It is characterized by a cozy environment, and here you will find two buffets, free washbasins, and no need to go far for water sports.
We can also rent pedal boats, SUPs, and crocodile-shaped canoes, which are well known to the people of Balaton, without which there is no summer season, that’s for sure.
There is no need to worry about entrance fees either, as the adult day ticket costs only 500 HUF, the child and the pensioner only 250HUF.
5. The beach in Fövenyes
We can try to find out where the gastronomic revolution of Lake Balaton broke out in many places, but one of the defining places is surprisingly located on a beach.
On the beach in Fövenyes, you could even get the gastro beach token, yet surprisingly few people know it. It is only worth visiting here because of the place called Kalóz (Pirate) that overcame the bad food buffet at Lake Balaton and came up with real quality.
The place is so popular that if you just want to go to eat at the beach, you can also exchange a separate gastro ticket. But what else is worth knowing about the Fövenyes beach?
The place is part of the bike path, so it is easily accessible and you can even go on a trip. The beach has recently been renovated: the water blocks have been updated and, thanks to the new sidewalk, even people with reduced mobility can travel easily.
A really nice, family-friendly beach where there is no crowd, and we don’t have to be bored either. Here you will find a playground for children, a beach volleyball court, but also a foot tennis court.
The beach is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00, after which it can be visited free of charge. The price of the day ticket is very favorable and family-friendly: the adult costs 600 HUF, the student and the pensioner 400 HUF.
6. Keszthely City beach
I spent the summers of my childhood many times with my grandparents in Keszthely. Keszthely was an integral part of my life. But most experiences are tied to this beach, at least, as far as my teenage years are concerned.
The City Beach (Városi Strand) is much more for young people and teenagers, but of course, families and seniors will also find fun. I not only enjoyed the place as a teenager but also got my first real job here as a student. I was the lovely animator who scored the sandcastles of poor kids in the competition.
The beach has had several functions and has been working ever since. As it turns into a party place at night with a disco and seating, so needless to say, I also have a few memories of the nightlife.
The City Beach has developed a lot compared to the beginning: beautifully designed grassy and sandy shores alternate, and there is the famous Balaton-shaped pool, which is especially popular with children.
For lovers of history and sunbathing, I recommend the Island Bath (Szigetfürdő) left to us from the turn of the century. Here you can sunbathe and relax, and the water is pleasantly cool and clear.
The other important advantage of the beach is that the pavilion opens directly here; so if we have been through the hustle and bustle, we can splash or relax here a bit. There are also two playgrounds here, mini-golf and a bouncy castle, but even a library on the wheels.
Here you can also find the typical buffets, as well as the much higher quality restaurants.
After 19:00, the beach will be free, then at night the place will be transformed and the Viviera nightclub will play the main role (for an entrance fee, of course). There is a disco and pub here, but even a real rock pub, so everyone is sure to find the right venue for them.
As for the tickets, the adult day ticket costs 950 HUF, while the child 560 HUF.
7. Pet-friendly beach in Fonyód
As for our furry friends, we don’t have to worry as pet-friendly beaches are becoming more and more widespread around Lake Balaton. There is no need to be afraid of frowning eyes here, puppies and their owners can let themselves go and we can even get richer with a few friends.
The pet-friendly beach in Fonyód was one of the first to let them in, and even dedicated a special part to man’s best friend. This beach does not have to be imagined as a grassy area, water, as you know it, but it is really a beach with all its elements.
There are bins, washbasins, and the grassy area operates as a runner. They also thought about the owners, so you can sunbathe and relax on the pier while the puppies play and bathe. The panorama couldn’t be more wonderful, as we can admire Badacsony by rocking on the water.
And the services are constantly expanding: for example, we can even rent a SUP that our dog can jump on so we can enjoy the foams together. You don’t even have to starve on the beach, as there are also buffets here, of course.
I recommend it to all dog owners who really want to have an experience while both they and the dogs are having a good time as a large community.
The day ticket costs only HUF 500 per person and dog.
8. Free beach in Balatonöszöd
Although it is becoming more and more difficult to find entry-free beaches around Lake Balaton, there are still quite a few that are worth visiting.
Located next to the resorts, this 300-meter-long and 8-hectare grove is a great option for those who want to enjoy Lake Balaton and the warm summer sun for free.
This beach has wonderful natural features; however, we cannot expect the same as the ones we pay for, as there are fewer opportunities and development for free beaches.
However, if we love the proximity of the almost untouched nature, this can be a perfect choice. Of course, you don’t have to think about weeds and similar headlessness: the lawn is looked after, the water is clean, and the riverbed is adequate.
I also have good news for sunbathers. This part is sunny from morning till evening. For those who are looking for a shade that provides a little relief, there are many spacious trees under which they can settle down.
You can also play sports and have fun here, so it stands out even more from the simple free beaches. Plus, it’s open 24/7; so at your own risk, you can even have a night splash here.
The only negative I can say is the crowd. It is also very popular with the locals, so those who want to relax and avoid the crowd should either come here before the season or choose another location.
Everyone else who loves the hustle and bustle, the beautiful surroundings, and would like to dive for free in Lake Balaton in a demanding place, make sure to visit here.
9. Balatongyörök beach
The Balatongyörök beach is one of the most defining places of my childhood, where my father and I often swam in, thus avoiding the ticket payment system. I know it’s not a nice thing, but just put your hand up if you have never done this before.
The beach in Balatongyörök, or as we just call it, Györök beach is mainly recommended to families with small children as it has nicely designed grassy rest areas with shady trees, sandy beach, and clear water.
There is finally no need to worry about a close fight for places, although of course, a larger crowd can develop here as well. There’s everything here that kids can interact with if the parents want to relax a bit too.
We will find a children’s pool here if we are afraid to let them into Lake Balaton, and there are also volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. Of course, you can’t miss the playground and the children’s animation, where children happily interact.
If we want to work off a bit of the lángos (fried dough bread) and companions we bought from the buffet, water aerobics awaits us. Here we can enjoy the pleasant water and the joy of working out at the same time.
photos: balatongyorok.hu
Kids and adults alike can have fun here, the sunny and shady parts alternate so we can sunbathe and watch the kids play in the water or shade at the same time.
The sight alone is worth a visit: in the distance, the amazing panorama of the witness mountain and the Szigliget Bay await us. In 2018, the beach won even the title of the greenest beach, taking into account aspects such as water efficiency, renewable energy use, or animal welfare.
I think here all the value and quality of service go hand in hand to make us feel really good. Even the prices are quite favorable: the adult day ticket is 1000 HUF and the child 500 HUF.
10. Balatonberény naturist camping
Having grandparents at Lake Balaton, I didn’t spend only one summer in Balatonberény. Plus, two of my friends worked a lot on the beaches here. There was no question that they would take me into the otherwise charged beach for free.
However, there is also a slightly hidden part of Balatonberény next to the village and free beach. It lies in a picturesque setting, and since the naturists, this little nudist paradise has been a real concept since 1990: something I didn’t really know about for a long time.
The area has been continuously developed over the years and there is even a campsite right next to it, making it a suitable place for longer getaways. There is a buffet and restaurant, animation for children, and a playground and sports facilities.
The campsite has 100 tent sites and 6 mobile homes. It is the largest naturist beach on Lake Balaton, surrounded by reeds, trees, and fences, so you don’t have to be afraid of unauthorized curious people.
As for the opening hours, it can be visited between 9 am and 7 pm, the adult day ticket costs HUF 1,200 and the children’s ticket costs HUF 600.
