Editing Lake Balaton (section)

==Tourism==

The major resorts around the lake are [[Siófok]], [[Keszthely]], and [[Balatonfüred]]. [[Zamárdi]], another resort town on the southern shore, has been the site of [[Balaton Sound]], a notable [[electronic music]] festival since 2007.  Balatonkenese has hosted numerous traditional gastronomic events. Siófok is known for attracting young people to it because of its large clubs. Keszthely is the site of the [[Festetics Palace]] and Balatonfüred is a historical bathing town which hosts the annual [[Belle of the Anna-ball|Anna Ball]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Linkon |first1=FD |title=Tihany, Balatonfüred and Lake Balaton: Pride of Veszprem, Hungary |url=https://www.tourola.eu/tihany-balatonfured-lake-balaton-veszprem/ |website=www.tourola.eu |date=14 June 2023 |publisher=Tourola |access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>

The peak tourist season extends from June until the end of August. The average water temperature during the summer is {{convert|25|C|F}}, which makes bathing and swimming popular on the lake. Most of the beaches consist of either grass, rocks, or the silty sand that also makes up most of the bottom of the lake. Many resorts have artificial sandy beaches and all beaches have step access to the water. Other tourist attractions include sailing, fishing, and other water sports, as well as visiting the countryside and hills, wineries on the north coast, and nightlife on the south shore. The [[Tihany]] Peninsula is a historical district. [[Badacsony]] is a volcanic mountain and wine-growing region as well as a lakeside resort. The lake is almost completely surrounded by separated bike lanes to facilitate bicycle tourism. Although the peak season at the lake is the summer, Balaton is also frequented during the winter, when visitors go [[ice-fishing]] or even skate, sledge, or ice-sail on the lake if it freezes over.

[[Sármellék International Airport]] provides air service to Balaton (although most service is only seasonal).

Other resort towns include [[Balatonalmádi]], [[Balatonboglár]], [[Balatonlelle]], [[Fonyód]], and [[Vonyarcvashegy]].

=== Sport ===
The annual Lake Balaton Crossing swim takes place in July. The race starts at Révfülöp and finishes at Balatonboglár for a total distance of 5.2 kilometres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-27 |title=Lake Balaton Crossing - the 5.2km classic swim. Raceday Buzz |url=https://racedaybuzz.com/lake-balaton-crossing/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>