From the 1960s to the 1970s, the lake became a top destination among tourists because of the focused efforts of the government. As a result, the number of guests staying overnight in the local campsites and hotels increased to a whopping 2 million in July 1975 from only 700,000 in July 1965.
The number of the region’s visitors during the weekends, which included tens of thousands coming from Budapest rose to over 600,000 in 1975. Ordinary Hungarian workers visited, specifically for the subsidized holiday excursions for the members of the labor union.
The area also enticed a lot of East Germans and Eastern Bloc’s other residents. West Germans could pay a visit as well, which made the lake a common and popular meeting place for everyone that the Berlin Wall separated until 1989.
The Climate
The local area’s precipitation is affected by Lake Balaton. The place receives around 5-7cm more precipitation compared to the rest of Hungary. It resulted in less extreme temperatures and more numbers of cloudy days. During winters, Lake Balaton freezes over.
The climate of Lake Balaton is Mediterranean
Lake Balaton’s microclimate also helped in making the region perfect for viticulture. This climate which resembles that of the Mediterranean combined with the volcanic rock-enriched soil is the reason why the region became known for its wine production 2,000 years ago during the Roman period.
Tourism
Balatonfüred, Keszthely, and Siófok are the primary resorts in the lake’s area. The resort town of Zamárdi located on its southern shore was the site of the Balaton Soun which is a renowned electronic music festival that started in 2007.
Balatonkenese was the host of various traditional gastronomic events. The large clubs of Siófok attract young people, while Keszthely is home to the Festetics Palace. The historical bathing town of Balatonfüred is the host of the Anna Ball held annually.
Nostalgic summer time at Lake Balaton: Siófok
The area’s peak tourist season runs from June until late August. During summer, the water reaches an average temperature of 25°C, which entices people to swim and bathe on the lake. Many of the beaches are made up of rocks, grass, or silty sand which can also be found on the lake’s bottom.
Artificial sandy beaches are found in many resorts, with all beaches featuring step access to the water. Some other popular attractions among tourists include fishing, sailing, and other types of water sports. Guests can also visit the hills and countryside, the north coast’s wineries, and the south shore’s nightlife.
People can also visit the historical district of Tihany Peninsula and Badacsony, a wine-growing and volcanic mountain region which is also a lakeside resort at the same time
