The only paying beach in the town, Balatonmáriafürdő’s recently renovated Central Beach is a gigantic green area with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 beachgoers. The waters by the shore are comfortably shallow and get gradually deeper toward the middle of the lake; they are also free of mud and seaweed.
It’s one of 20 beaches with a station manned by members of the Red Cross’ youth branch, who are there to assist the more seasoned lifeguards of Balaton. Behind the rows of lockers, you can find an open-air stage, which is regularly populated by the participants of the International Meeting of Wind Ensembles.
Apart from the self-evident options (pedal boats, sunbeds and beach volleyball court), beachgoers can sometimes take part in activities organized by animators, go for a ride in a mini dodgem or go mad on the trampoline. The nicely renovated bathrooms are adjacent to the bicycle parking facility designed to make life easier for bike riding beach lovers, and there’s a parking lot for 200 cars right by the entrance.
Tip: Click here to take a look around.
