With Hungary you may think of Puszta and gypsies, but there is much more to discover in this beautiful country. The Hungarian cuisine, hospitality, wonderful nature and several nice sights make that Hungary is a holiday destination you must pay a visit at least once.
Get a taste of
lake Balaton
lake Balaton
Vacation homes near Lake Balaton are becoming increasingly popular. And that is not surprising, because next to Budapest, Lake Balaton is the attraction of Hungary. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe. With a total coastline of about 195 kilometres long, the lake is a favourite destination for sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts.
Sunbathing, relaxing or doing water sports
Lake Balaton is the perfect place in Hungary for a sunny and affordable beach holiday. Both for young and old there are plenty activities to do. The real adventurers can (kite)surf, parasail, water ski or take a sightseeing flight over the azure blue water. Do you prefer to take it easier? Then rent a water bike, float around or read a good book on your lounger.
There are no motor boats allowed on Lake Balaton. That is why it is fun to sail on the lake. There are different places where you can rent a sailboat. In short, the possibilities are endless.
rich surroundings
Forests, mineral springs and vineyards surround the north of Lake Balaton. This makes it an ideal environment for a relaxing hike or a bike ride.
The gently sloping south bank is the most popular side and consists of beaches and harbours. You will find many touristic villages with cosy terraces, luxury sailing yachts, bars and discotheques here. The lively seaside towns are also worth a visit in the evening. You can walk on modern boulevards, have a drink on a terrace or book a romantic boat trip across the lake at sunset.
for kids
Lake Balaton with children
Lake Balaton is a party for children. On the southern shore of Lake Balaton, the soil is slowly descending and the water is relatively shallow. The water is always at a good temperature, during summer even around 24 degrees Celsius. Therefore it is always fun for the small bathers to play and swim in this water paradise.
Annagora Aqua & Wellnesspark
If you want something other than Lake Balaton, you can visit the Annagora Aqua & Wellnesspark. You will find this water park in the seaside town Balatonfüred and the park is highly recommended. Especially younger children can enjoy themselves here all day long. There are no less than twelve water slides and a wave pool.
Budapest with children
Budapest is the capital of Hungary and of course there is enough to do for both young and old. Apart from all the cultural attractions, you will find the Children Railroad Museum, the Miniversum and Budapest Zoo. Furthermore, there are several parks in Budapest with playgrounds, trampolines and fountains.
Kittenberger Zoo
Kittenberger Zoo is a zoo in Veszprém. In this zoo you will encounter many small animal species, but also big ones, such as elephants and lions. You will also find plenty of small playgrounds where you can unwind while the kids play. This zoo wants to keep animals in the most natural environment possible. That is why they try to let them be as free as possible. Did the visit to the zoo make you hungry? Veszprém has nice restaurants where you can taste delicious local goulash.
Animalpark Festetics
Animal park Festetics Imre Állatpark in Keszthely is especially fun to go to with the smallest holidaymakers. Here children become acquainted with all kinds of animals from the wild. There is also plenty of room to play here. And do you want to end the day in a good way for the children? Then cruise past McDonalds for a Happy Meal on the way back.
CITIES
There are many nice trips to make from Robiniapark, because nice towns and villages surround Lake Balaton. We listed a few recommendations.
Budapest
Visiting the Hungarian capital Budapest should not be missed during a holiday at Robiniapark. Here the sights are in abundance. Sailing the Danube is an easy way to explore the city by water. During such a trip you will pass all remarkable attractions, such as the architectural masterpiece: the Parliament building. Because of all the illuminated buildings, Budapest is also impressive by night.
Siófok
Siófok is a popular seaside town on Lake Balaton and is also called the party capital of Hungary. Keep in mind there are many young people here and it is a lively town. Besides the sparkling night life, Siófok has more to offer. Think of interesting sights, such as the old water tower of 45 metres high on the Szabadság square.
Veszprém
Churches, cathedrals, beautiful neighbourhoods and monuments. You will find it all in the historic Veszprém. The most interesting part of Veszprém is the old city. Here you will find a beautiful episcopal palace in baroque style, with next to it the Gizela chapel from the thirteenth century.
Tihany
Tihany is located on the peninsula of the same name and is a nice spot at the lake. In this town, which is built against a hill, you can make the most beautiful hikes. In 1055 a stately church was built at the highest point. From here you have an amazing view of the region. Tihany can be reached by ferry or by train. A true experience!
Balatonfüred
Balatonfüred is a bit chiquer seaside town with marinas. It is the oldest holiday destination of Lake Balaton. This city is internationally known as a spa town. Balatonfüred has many restaurants and various sports and leisure facilities. In addition to many bathers, many people come here for the famous healing springs.
SHOPPING
Shopping in Hungary is fun and certainly not boring. Almost everything is obtainable here. But for those who really like to shop, the big city is the real deal. And this is, undoubtedly, Budapest. WestEnd City Centre, MOM Park and Corvin Plaza are a few big ones that will make every shopaholic happy.
You also come across many big markets in Budapest, which are good for a nice day of strolling around. Do you want something different? Something that is not for sale in the Netherlands? There are quite a few charming boutiques, vintage shops and souvenir shops, where you will find unique and also many handmade products. It might be nice to take something home for the neighbour who takes care of the plants at home.
Shopping Lake Balaton
Furthermore, you will find plenty of shops around Lake Balaton where you will always come across something fun. For example, the beautiful town of Székesfehérvár, where an old and beautiful centre can be found, but also a modern shopping mall with large European chains. You will find the city Hévíz only 5 kilometres from the lake. This city is known for the largest spa lake, but also has a modern shopping centre with nice terraces and good restaurants.
Week markets
On the market, your money is worth more. And this also applies to the markets in Hungary. Many towns have a weekly market where you can buy everything: flowers, vegetables, fruit, clothing, but also many local products.
Opening hours stores Hungary
The shops in Hungary are usually open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Thursday until 8 pm. On Saturday, the usual opening hours are from 9 am to 1 pm. In touristic places, the shops are also open on Sundays, from 7 am to 1 pm.
EXCURSIONS
The Robiniapark area is hilly and comparable to South Limburg. In other words, there is a lot of green and only a few buildings. An environment that lends itself perfectly for a nice trip, such as hiking or mountain biking. With the convenient Wikiloc app you can make beautiful tours that vary from beginning hikers to experts.
discover
In the Robiniapark area you can explore the nature on foot. Szólád is located in a region with clean air, there are no chemical industries to be found. Moreover, the many green in and around the park provide a lot of pure air. This is a nice side effect when you discover the area.
visit
On the volcanic landscape at Lake Balaton you will find hundreds of vineyards. Because of the cooling off by means of the lake and the reflection of the sun, the environment is a perfect basis for the groves.
It is nice to combine a visit to the publicly available vineyards with a visit to a wine cellar or a local wine tasting. Various activities and parties are organised during the summer. Every village has its own beer or wine festival, which is always a lot of fun.
medicinal
A visit to one of the thermal springs in Igal of Csisztapusta is certainly worthwile. These famous sources are known for their medicinal functioning. People with health complaints, such as rheumatism, back complaints or inflammations, say they benefit from this. But also for people without any health problems, it is very relaxed here.
active
There is also plenty to do in the Robiniapark area for active holidaymakers. Mountain biking, bowling, rock climbing, shooting, hot air ballooning, hiking, tennis, sailing, fishing, horseback riding, pottery, trampolining, billiards or squash: it is really too much to mention.
restaurants
Going out for dinner in Hungary is not only tasty, but also often cheaper than making food yourself. In the surrounding area of Robiniapark there is plenty of choice between different types of restaurants. And to make this choice a bit easier, we listed a few recommendations.
Turul FogadaSzólád
Within walking distance of Robiniapark you will find a nice restaurant at the bottom of the mountain. A nice terrace, good food and an enthusiastic owner who has closed the guests of Robiniapark in his heart. In the summer there is often music on the terrace. Wonderful to listen to with a local wine. Want to know more about this restaurant? They have a Facebookpage and there’s a great story on the popular website We love Balaton.
Platan Etteren (pizza) Balatonföldvár
There are many pizzerias in the area, but Platan Etteren really stands out. This pizzeria is open all year round and the pizza bottoms are freshly prepared here. There is also a terrace with a play corner for children. In addition to the wide choice of pizza, they also have plenty of other dishes. Do you want to have a drink on the terrace after dinner? The terrace next to it, Manna Mia music café, is owned by the same owner and has enjoyable live music during the summer.
Csigahaz KisvendegloBalatonföldvár
Located at the port of Balatonföldvár lies Csigahaz Kisvendeglo. This restaurant has a covered terrace and is located at an attractive location. With all water sport enthusiasts around you, you experience a relaxed atmosphere here. Besides, you are served by friendly staff. You can eat typical Hungarian dishes here, which are a bit sturdier than the Western European dishes. Fun fact: this restaurant is also called the ‘Snail House’, the translation of Csigahaz.
Fish counter in Balatonszárszó (Tóparti Halsütő)
Fish lovers, pay attention. Here you can eat the best fresh freshwater fish in Hungary. The fish restaurant is located next to the municipal beach and can be recognised by the red roof and the large wooden benches. In the high season you can go here every day. Good to know: in the low season, they are only open during weekends and closed in the winter.
Restaurant Anno – Balatonszárszó
In this restaurant with a beautiful veranda various dishes are served in a nice atmosphere. Good salads, tasty starts such as salmon and mozzarella, but also typical Hungarian dishes are on the menu. For children, for example, there is pasta and tomato soup. The dessert pancakes of Anno are highly recommended.