# Lake Balaton Circuit

> Lake Balaton covers about 600 km² and is shallow. A circuit passes Siófok, Keszthely, Tihany and Balatonfüred; wild camping on the shore is not allowed.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/lake-balaton-circuit/

Lake Balaton covers about 600 km² and is shallow. A circuit passes Siófok, Keszthely, Tihany and Balatonfüred; wild camping on the shore is not allowed.

- **Region:** Hungary
- **Length:** Lake 78 km long, shore 235 km
- **Depth:** Avg 3.2–3.3 m, max 12.2 m
- **Suggested time:** 2–4 days
- **Best season:** Late spring to early autumn

## What should you know before visiting Lake Balaton Circuit?

- The lake is up to 78 km long, up to 14 km wide and only about 3 m deep on average. According to Wikipedia, separated bike lanes surround almost the whole lake, so bikes on the camper are useful.
- Wild camping is generally not permitted in Hungary, and sources name lake shores, national parks and private land as off limits. Use a campsite or a designated motorhome stopover for the night.
- Motorhomes need an electronic vignette for motorways; above 3.5 t the HU-GO electronic toll applies. Check current categories on the official page.
- July and August are usually the busiest months. Check opening times and availability of lakeside campsites in advance.

## The drive

A circuit can be driven in either direction. Siófok lies in the south, Keszthely with the Festetics Palace in the west, and in the north the Tihany peninsula with its Benedictine abbey and the spa town of Balatonfüred. Resorts such as Balatonalmádi, Balatonboglár, Balatonlelle, Fonyód and Vonyarcvashegy fill the gaps. The canalised Sió is the lake's only outflow. With so many shore towns, short daily legs make sense.

## Camping

According to travel guides, wild camping is generally not permitted in Hungary. One guide says a discreet night is sometimes tolerated away from resorts, but sources name beaches, lake shores, national parks, nature reserves and private land without consent as off limits. Sources differ on details, so ask the local municipality. Reliable options are campsites on the lake and designated stopovers with water and waste facilities.

## FAQs

**How big is Lake Balaton?**
The lake is up to 78 km long and up to 14 km wide, with about 600 km² of surface. The average depth is around 3.2 to 3.3 m, the maximum 12.2 m, and the shoreline measures about 235 km.

**Can I park freely at Balaton overnight?**
No. According to travel guides, wild camping is generally not permitted in Hungary and lake shores are named explicitly as off limits. Use a campsite or stopover for the night; local authorities settle individual cases, so ask beforehand.

**Is there a cycle path around the lake?**
According to Wikipedia, the lake is almost completely surrounded by separated bike lanes, which supports cycle tourism. Check the state and course of individual sections with the local tourist office beforehand.

## Places to see

- [Tihany Abbey](https://camping-spirit.com/places/tihany-abbey/)
- [Veszprém Castle District](https://camping-spirit.com/places/veszprem-castle-district/)
- [Festetics Palace](https://camping-spirit.com/places/festetics-palace-keszthely/)
- [Lake Hévíz](https://camping-spirit.com/places/heviz-lake/)

## Campsites nearby

- [All campsites in Hungary](https://camping-spirit.com/camping/hungary/)