Lake Balaton lies in the middle of Transdanubia, the west side part of Hungary. The surface of the water covers an area of 596 sq. km. At its longest point the lake stretches for 77 km, its coastline is 197 km long. The lake is 14 km wide at its widest point, and 1.5 km at its narrowest point (between Tihany and Szántód), its average width is 8 km. The water reaches an average depth of 2-3 m, though at Tihany it is 12.40 m deep. Since the water of the lake warms rapidly, it is possible to swim there from spring to autumn. The water of the southern shore, being much shallower than that of the northern shore, sometimes reaches a temperature of 25 Celsius, and for that reason is a real paradise for children, the sands there have a velvety texture. The water of the northern shore becomes colder and the bottom of the lake is no longer covered with very fine sand. This is why the more popular resort areas are more numerous along the southern shore, where Balatonföldvár is located, too.
Balatonföldvár is one of the most well-kept resorts of Balaton shore decorated with parks and gardens. Important memorial of the history of Balatonföldvár is the soil-castle (= földvár) built in the Iron Age. According to the archaeological findings Celts lived in this area in the 4th century B.C. In the 18th and 19th centuries the area of the city was part of the domain of Széchenyi family. It was decided by the family Széchenyi in the 2nd half of 19th century to establish a bathing resort on this beautiful, depopulated territory. The first hotel was constructed in 1895, the official opening ceremony of the resort place was held in 1896. By that time the construction of more than 40 wonderful villas was completed in Balatonföldvár. The port and the lake-shore promenade of 1200 metres were constructed in the earliest years of 1900s.
The port is a popular centre of yachting in Hungary, the material of Galamb Island in the middle of it had been collected from dredging of the Lake. From Kelta Promenade running on top of a 40 metres high loess wall there is a wonderful view to Tihany peninsula on the opposite side and this is the only one place to see the both hollows of the Lake Balaton. Remains of the Celtic outworks can also be studied from here.
Find out more
+ Balaton Information Center
+ Balaton Tourism Portal
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