Located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, Balatonelle is a popular resort town in Hungary’s west. It’s home to a long stretch of sand and a family-friendly amusement park, all on the doorstep of Balaton Uplands National Park. Balatonelle forms part of the picturesque South Balaton Wine Region and hosts a lively wine festival each summer.
Things to do in Balatonlelle
For a day at the beach, head to Napfeny Strand, which extends east of the Balatonlelle Marina. It’s a family-friendly destination with shallow waters and a recreational area that includes swimming pools, a giant slide and a sauna facility. A short stroll from the beach are several restaurants where you can dine throughout the day, including Molo Etterem and the Kedvesem Bisztro.
Amusement rides and arcade games cluster in the Balatonlellei Vidampark, which has been welcoming punters since 1991. You can brave the “Speedy Gonzales” roller coaster, ride the illuminated Ferris wheel or get behind the wheel of one of the dodgem cars. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast on classic amusement park snacks such as hamburgers and donuts.
A short drive west of Balatonlelle is Berek's World Visitor Center, which showcases the natural history of the region. In addition to its short films, you can get hands-on with a variety of interactive games. The museum serves as a gateway for exploring the dolomite mountains and karst landscapes of Balaton Uplands National Park.
Getting around Balatonlelle
Balatonlelle is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Budapest and just under two hours from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Balatonlelle railway station and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.