Siofok at Lake Balaton

Arriving at the popular resort town of Siofok on Lake Balaton's southern shore.(It's the largest freshwater lake in Europe outside of Scandinavia).Which is about 1 and a half hours drive south west from Budapest.Finding our way easily to the Aranypart(golden beach).After parking(free).We quickly get changed in a most undignified English manner(with no changing room),and hurry off to the lake.Due to our urgent need for total refreshment,after a long hot drive.A dive into the lake.

A wide stone paved promenade runs along the lakes edge,with boulders of various sizes sinking into the water.Interspersed with steps to enter the lake from.To the other side,a grassy park area dotted with trees for sunbathing,picnics and social gathering.

The southern shore is popular for families,because it's shallower and steepens more gradually than its opposite number.Right close to the shore it's only about half a metre deep,and for up to about 500 metres out before you really need to swim.The whole lake itself is not very deep(averaging 3.2 metres),and so often freezes over during the Winter.

The view of the promenade,notwithstanding the blocks of holiday flats(a mixture of modern with communist era).Looks like many Croatian town seafronts(paved promenades lining the shores,with no natural beach).

Hungary has a Mediterranean feel to it.Cafe culture abounds in the cities and towns.While here,a bathing culture,posing along the promenade and people watching.Are the main activities enjoyed by the full spectrum of ages.

Its nicely busy,not overcrowded.For it's only midweek.Though naturally busier and nosier on weekends.When the young folk come in their droves.To not only enjoy the lake but also for Siofoks party scene.While with none of the noise and drunken groups which you would find,say on Brighton beach.

So 1st things 1st.We find our little patch(with shade),next to a tree.Dump our stuff,and ask a nice couple to look after it.And head off to cool down.Striding off(posing!)along the promenade to the closest steps that take us to the warm,shallow and smooth water.Ahhh!!!The water is about 27-28 degrees(Celsius),which is about average through summer.

The waters smoothness is apparently due to its high levels of hydro carbonates,magnesium.calcium and sulphates.It's also drinkably clean.This is because of lengthy and expensive environmental work.Which is checked by experts from outside of the country,and published by the German automobile club(ADAC).It's also for this reason that motorboats are forbidden on the lake.Though water skiing is still possible by a means of electrical traction,available at Siofok.

Naturally all water sports are possible.Including sailing,windsurfing and fishing(carp,catfish and pike-perch).It's also possible to cycle around the entire lake.

After a refreshing swim and a frolic with my wife.We reluctantly head back to our little patch,to dry off.And to indulge in my wife's hobby,sunbathing.While people watching all the beautiful people posing past and daydreaming in the suns rays.

Balaton tourism