With the constant high temperatures of August, even beaches are no longer inviting. Here are a few suggestions for things to do around Lake Balaton when it's just too hot to handle.
Grab a scoop
There are countless excellent and award-winning ice-cream parlours around the lake. You can taste ice cream made from goats' milk in the Káli Basin, there’s Szigliget’s popular Várkávézó, award-winning Bringatanya in Gyenesdiás, the Balatonfüred outlet of Anjuna Ice Pops from Budapest and many other unique venues – on top of classic confectioneries such as Sarokház in Balatonfüred.
Cool down with culture
An air-conditioned exhibition space is a great place to escape from the heat. There’s a huge array of museums near Balaton: you can explore the palace of the noble Festetics family, find out about bats at the Balaton Museum and smell the lavender in Tihany. You can go stargazing in Bakonybél, learn more about Jewish excellence in Balatonfüred, or check out a dungeon in Veszprém.
Make sure to keep an eye on temporary exhibitions: for example, KOGART in Tihany is currently displaying works by Hungarian landscape painters while Látványtár has an exhibition on the history of smoking.
Have a party
Enjoy Balaton nights when the days are just too hot: there are plenty of places around the lake. You can cool down with fine cocktails or enjoy wine and music from a former MC on a terrace in Balatonfüred’s historic Blaha Lujza utca. Check out our Balaton by Night section for more inspiration for night-time shenanigans.
Forests instead of beaches
If you’ve had enough of the crowded beaches and the water that keeps getting warmer and warmer, head to one of the many exciting and shaded hiking trails around the lake. You can also climb up to lookout towers and enjoy the best views Balaton has to offer – along with a fresh breeze coming off the water.
