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Balaton Uplands NP

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

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Established in 1997, the Balaton Uplands National Park stretches along the northern shore of Lake Balaton, covering an area of approximately 57,000 hectares. The park integrates six former landscape protection areas, offering exceptional diversity ranging from volcanic witness mountains to expansive wetlands. Key highlights include the Tihany Peninsula with its volcanic crater lakes and the Tapolca Basin featuring iconic basalt formations like Badacsony. These hills are renowned wine-growing regions and are famous for their 'basalt organs', massive vertical columns created by cooling lava. In the western part of the park lies the Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton), an internationally significant wetland and bird sanctuary protected under the Ramsar Convention. Beyond biodiversity, the park preserves cultural treasures such as the traditional vernacular architecture of the Káli Basin villages. Visitors can explore numerous educational trails, caves like the Tapolca Lake Cave, and historic castle ruins scattered across the rolling hills. The park remains a premier destination for ecotourism, blending geological wonders with rich cultural history.

Location: Veszprém, Hungary
Top sights: Madách utcai öböl · Balatonudvari községi strand · Udvari Galéria
Nearby: Balatonakali (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-1	1	5	11	16	21	23	23	17	11	5	0
Rain mm	37	41	41	34	65	66	61	63	62	52	44	42

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Balaton Uplands National Park is an open protected area that can be entered at any time. Visitor centers and marked hiking trails facilitate exploration; some areas are only accessible with a guide.

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Typical hours

The protected area is accessible around the clock, but visitor centers typically have seasonal hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Check ahead for individual center hours.

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Photography

Photographing the lavender fields, volcanic hills, and Lake Balaton is allowed everywhere. A wide-angle lens is recommended for landscapes, especially at sunrise or sunset.

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Time needed

Allow at least half a day for a hike in the national park. Several day routes lead to the most beautiful viewpoints and natural wonders.

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Combine with

The park is located directly on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Combine your visit with the towns of Balatonfüred or Tihany and their historic sites.

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Getting there

The national park is accessible by car via various roads from towns around Lake Balaton. Public buses run to the main entrances; hiking parking lots are available.

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Insider tip

Visit the lavender fields in June when they are in full bloom. Sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water are essential on the volcanic hills.

Geography

Coordinates

46.90000, 17.80000

Facts

The National Park was officially established in 1997.
It encompasses a total area of about 57,000 hectares.
Tihany Peninsula was awarded the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
Badacsony is famous for its massive basalt organ formations.
Kis-Balaton is a wetland site of international importance.
The park features the unique Tapolca Lake Cave system.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Tihany area Örvényes / Balatonudvari<1 km · NWExplore →

📍Aszófő3 km · NEExplore →

📍Balatonakali4 km · SWExplore →

Tihany6 km · EExplore →

Lake Balaton6 km · EExplore →

Balatonszárszó8 km · SExplore →

Szántódpuszta8 km · EExplore →

Balatonfüred8 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Balaton Uplands NP (7)

Madách utcai öböl

Swimming cove at Lake Balaton, near Balatonudvari.

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Balatonudvari községi strand

Municipal beach in Balatonudvari on Lake Balaton.

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Udvari Galéria 🏛 museum

Ethnographic museum in Balatonudvari, showcasing local traditions.

Fövenyesi Strandfürdő

Beach resort in Fövenyes on Lake Balaton.

Szív alakú sírkövek

Heart-shaped gravestones in the cemetery of Balatonudvari.

Helytörténeti gyűjtemény és galéria🏛 museum

Local history collection and gallery in Balatonudvari.

Malommúzeum🏛 museum

Mill museum in the region, displaying historical milling technology.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the national park's visitor center located?

The headquarters is in Csopak, but the most famous visitor center is the Lavender House in Tihany.

Can you go boating in the Tapolca Lake Cave?

Yes, it is the main attraction. Visitors can row small boats through the illuminated underground passages.

When does the lavender bloom in Tihany?

Lavender typically blooms from mid-June to early July. A Lavender Festival is held during this period.

What are the basalt organs at Szent György Hill?

They are huge, vertical basalt columns formed by volcanic activity that resemble organ pipes.

Is there an entry fee for the entire national park?

Access to the area is free, but separate tickets must be purchased for individual sites like caves or museums.

Balaton Uplands NP: where is it located?

Balaton Uplands NP is located in Veszprém, Hungary.

Balaton Uplands NP: what is there to see?

Highlights include Madách utcai öböl, Balatonudvari községi strand, Udvari Galéria.

Balaton Uplands NP: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Balaton Uplands NP: why is it worth visiting?

Established in 1997, the Balaton Uplands National Park stretches along the northern shore of Lake Balaton, covering an area of approximately 57,000 hectares.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Balaton Uplands NP

Best time to visit & climate