A perfect summer on the southern shore

The southern shore of Lake Balaton is welcoming and friendly, full of little wonders: lavender fields, sandy beaches for the little ones, light wines, lookout points, historical sites and an unrivalled panoramic view. From the southern side, you can admire the iconic hills of Badacsony, the Tihany Peninsula and the sunset, which paints summer evenings with one of the most beautiful sights. It is an ideal choice for families, adventure seekers, festival lovers and those in search of peaceful relaxation alike, for a perfect holiday.

Zamárdi is one of the best starting points for exploring the hidden treasures of the southern shore. The town and its surroundings offer countless sights and activities to help you make the most of your valuable free days. Below, we reveal why so many people love this special region.

The southern shore is Lake Balaton’s grandstand

If you find the endless blue of Lake Balaton beautiful, the view from above will take your breath away even more. The southern shore is full of unique lookout points that offer a distinctive perspective of the lake and the hills on the opposite side. During your hikes or strolls through town, make sure to stop by the most beautiful panoramic spots along the southern shore. Which ones are they? We can’t even choose – discover them all for yourselves!

Lookout points over the water

On foot

• Kőhegy Lookout – After an easy walk from the Platán Hotel, just climb a few steps and you’ll find yourself above the lake. Your reward is a stunning view of Tihany and the entire Lake Balaton.
• Zamárdi the heart of Balaton statue – you’ll find this spot right on the shore of Zamárdi. It stands out because it’s not a traditional lookout, but rather an exceptional photo spot by the water, perfect for capturing the morning light or a stunning sunset.

By bike or by car

• The Gömbkilátó is located in Balatonboglár on Várdomb Hill, at an elevation of 165 metres above sea level. The 15-metre-diameter aluminium structure offers a full panoramic view of Lake Balaton. It is illuminated at night, making it visible from afar. Nearby, you’ll find a playground and a treetop walkway. It’s a 30-minute drive from Zamárdi, but also a great destination for a cycling trip around Balaton. The distance can be covered in less than an hour and a half.
• Siófok Water Tower – Siófok is just a stone’s throw from Zamárdi. It takes less than half an hour by bike to reach this town, only 9 kilometres away, where you have several options to admire Lake Balaton from above. The Water Tower houses a café and an exhibition space. Not far from this iconic building, you can also hop on the Ferris wheel.
• Siófok Ferris Wheel – Evening lights and a sunset ride high above the ground? During the three full rotations, there’s plenty of time to take photos and fully take in the extraordinary view.

By ferry

• What connects the southern shore with the northern experiences? A scenic ferry ride. Set sail from Szántód, right next to Zamárdi, and in just a few minutes you’ll find yourself in Tihany. Our favourite panoramic viewpoint in Tihany is the Őrtorony Lookout at the top of Apáti Hill. The 16.5-metre-high structure offers a 360-degree view of Lake Balaton, the town of Tihany, and the surrounding landscape. Of course, be sure to return to Zamárdi before sunset, as the play of afternoon light viewed from the southern shore is one of the most beautiful.

Tip: For cycling trips, use the BalatonBike365 App. At Platán Hotel, we also offer bike rental for our guests.

Beach life on the southern shore

Perfect for Kids – shallow water, splashing and sand

The beaches of the southern shore have a unique atmosphere. The wide, spacious stretches of shoreline offer plenty of room for relaxation, whether you're enjoying culinary delights, sunbathing or lakeside adventures. At Zamárdi’s public beach, for example, a sandy shore area has been created, making it ideal even for families with small children. Little ones can play, build, carry water to the moat of their sandcastle, and splash around all day long. The water is also shallower on the southern shore, which makes the temperature more pleasant, warms up faster, and you don’t have to worry about sudden drops when you’re splashing around or playing ball with the older kids.

Free public beach in Zamárdi

Along Zamárdi’s 10-kilometre shoreline, beach access is free everywhere. On the large grassy, shaded beach, there’s a nearly 3-kilometre stretch that’s perfect for laying down your towel, as it offers one of the most beautiful views of the Tihany Peninsula. The beach also features playgrounds, sports courts and restaurants.

Local restaurants, bars and beach bars offer the best of Balaton gastronomy. If you’re spending the day at Zamárdi’s public beach, stop by Dokk for some delicious fish dishes, or head just 50 metres from the shore to Mauro Ristorante Pizzéria, where you can enjoy Mediterranean flavours while taking in the lakeside view.

Is your dog coming along on holiday too?

In Zamárdi, you’ll find a unique dog-friendly beach at Mirabella Camping. Platán Hotel guests receive free access to the dog-friendly bathing area.

Waves, boards, sails – freedom awaits

If you love the gentle breeze on your face, the rhythm of the paddle, or the quiet gliding of stand-up paddleboarding, you’ll find your own pace on the southern shore. For water sports enthusiasts, getting moving is part of the holiday - and one of the best parts.

At the Zamárdi Watersports Base, you can enjoy windsurfing, kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, kayak and canoe rentals, as well as sailing. If you're unsure about the waves or are just starting out and want to join the water sports community, the base will have trained instructors to help you and you can even get an international surfing certificate during your holiday.

Many people say that the southern shore is harder to reach from Budapest. This is a misconception! If you are coming from the capital, you can get on the water after a 1-1.5 hour drive.

Where nature and experiences intertwine, summer begins

When you think of a holiday at Lake Balaton, do the beach, the lakeside buffets, crispy fried hake, or pedal boating come to mind first? While the water is indeed one of nature’s most wonderful gifts, the area has plenty more to offer for discovery. For a truly relaxing holiday, enjoying activities and spending time outdoors are just as important.

Lavender flowers bloom in June. The flower harvest linked to this is not just a privilege of the Tihany residents; on the southern shore, too, numerous small nurseries can be found, along with a large lavender farm near Zamárdi. Take your pick from the experiences nature has to offer!

• Kőröshegyi Tulip and Lavender Park: This several-hectare lavender field with panoramic views of Lake Balaton welcomes visitors for an atmospheric harvest from June. The harvest season starts on June 23, 2025. A perfect way to kick off the season.
• Bella Zoo Park, Siófok: A family favourite – with pony rides, a petting zoo, gentle llamas and camels. It’s less than a 20-minute drive from Zamárdi.
• Zamárdi Adventure Park: Nestled among towering trees, this course system offers exciting fun for all ages. If you want to energise teenagers or seek a bit of thrill with friends and family, be sure to give it a try.

Beach, rosé, rhythms - it's festival season!

The light summer festivals, the beach culture, as well as the gastronomic and family events feel truly at home on the southern shore. Throughout the summer, there’s hardly a day when you won’t come across a great event or concert. In Siófok, the Plázs energises the nights with a youthful vibe, and the summer open-air stage is packed with high-quality theatre performances. Meanwhile, in Zamárdi, large-scale music festivals follow one after another.

• 11–13 July 2025 – 22nd New Orleans Jazz Festival (Siófok, Main Square)
  A three-day, free jazz event where you can enjoy the summer evenings with dixieland and swing concerts.
• 17–20 July 2025 – 11th Rosé Festival (Zamárdi, Event Square)
  The eleventh celebration of rosé awaits you, featuring wines from Balaton and Villány, concerts, gastronomy and craft programmes ensuring great entertainment.
• 7–10 August 2025 – Balatoni Játszadalom (Zamárdi, Event Square)
  A free family festival with exciting games and artistic programmes.
• 21–23 August 2025 – STRAND Festival 2025 (Zamárdi, Szabadstrand)
  A four-day music festival with multiple stages and nearly 50 concerts, featuring Hungarian and international artists filling the Balaton shore with hot rhythms.

A relaxed base, active programmes: Platán Hotel

The southern shore is diverse and always on the move. For all this, you need a comfortable, peaceful base, and then your holiday is guaranteed to be truly perfect.

Choose a little gem of a hotel for your adventures, with a pleasant, quiet garden and comfortable rooms, just a stone’s throw from the vibrant Balaton life. Our air-conditioned rooms with terraces all overlook a private garden surrounded by old plane trees, where you can settle down in the mornings with a plentiful buffet breakfast to plan your day over a coffee. In the afternoon, you can cool off by the poolside after a day full of adventures.

Pets are welcome at the Platán Hotel. Our small, family-friendly hotel is ideal for two, with a baby, children or a small group of friends. However, our free places are filling up fast, so book up and explore the southern shore from this idyllic base. You can book online in just a few clicks, and you can pay for your rooms with credit card or debit card.

We warmly await you on the southern shore of Lake Balaton!

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