Balaton beyond Tihany and Hévíz
A hillside cave, a fish grill with one dish on the menu, a cemetery of heart-shaped headstones, a bird reserve and a fortress above the vineyards — five places that do not make the six main sights.
- Lóczy Cave
- In Balatonfüred, in the hill above town
- Aszófői Halsütő
- A fish grill
- Balatonudvari
- A cemetery of heart-shaped headstones
The six main sights are what gets seen first; these five are what is left once that is done. Lóczy Cave sits right in Balatonfüred, Aszófői Halsütő is a fish grill with pikeperch as its one main dish, the Balatonudvari cemetery keeps heart-shaped headstones, Kis-Balaton is a bird reserve where the lake turns into marsh, and Szigliget Castle is a ruined fortress above the vineyards near Badacsony.
Lóczy Cave — right in Balatonfüred
A small cave in the hill above town, part of the same limestone relief that feeds Balatonfüred's thermal springs. It needs no separate trip from base — it fits onto a morning or afternoon already spent in town, before or after the promenade.
Aszófői Halsütő — one dish, a whole reputation
A fish grill in the village of Aszófő, on the road between Balatonfüred and Tihany, with pikeperch (fogas), the lake fish, as practically its only main dish — €4.15/100g. A queue forms in season, so this is a stop, not a destination on its own.
Balatonudvari — the heart-shaped headstone cemetery
A local cemetery in the village of Balatonudvari, on the north shore, known for headstones carved into heart shapes. Free to enter, no ticket needed.
Kis-Balaton — the bird reserve
A nature reserve south-west of the main lake, where Balaton continues into shallow marsh — a bird habitat away from the line of main beaches and villages. It sits at the opposite end of the lake from Balatonfüred, so it fits most easily into a day already heading towards Keszthely.
Szigliget Castle — a fortress above the vineyards
The ruin of a medieval castle on a volcanic hill above the village of Szigliget, a few kilometres from Badacsony — the view from the walls opens over the lake and the surrounding vineyards. Admission is €5.50 (site ticket only).
An order that makes sense
Lóczy Cave and Aszófői Halsütő fit into Day 1, alongside Tihany — the cave before setting off, the grill on the way. Balatonudvari is also on the north shore, a short detour off the road to Tihany. Szigliget Castle goes with Badacsony on Day 3, both on the western end of the north shore. Kis-Balaton is further out, on the way to Keszthely and Hévíz, so it goes with Day 2.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Is there an entry fee for Lóczy Cave?
The price is not officially confirmed; check on site before visiting.
What do you order at Aszófői Halsütő?
Practically just fogas, the lake fish off the grill — €4.15/100g.
Does Kis-Balaton charge admission?
The national park has a 2026 price list, but the exact amount for visiting the reserve is not confirmed — check before the trip.
Ready for Lake Balaton?
Where to next
What to eat in Lake Balaton
→Fogas is the fish that puts the lake on the plate, lángos is the bite you get by the shore, and halászlé is a…
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→A town where three rivers meet, halfway between Budapest and Vienna: a square, a cathedral hill and an island in the Rába fit into one walking day, with Pannonhalma a second.
How well does Lake Balaton suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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