PaulinEger

Hi all,
Although we've lived here for 11 years my wife and I have never been to Lake Balaton so this year we've decided to venture down for 2 or 3 days before nipping over into Slovenia for 2 or 3 days.
Can anyone suggest towns or villages to stay in just to give us a starting point. We're in our 50's so not bothered for super busy places and lively nightlife. We like views, hills, culture and tradition.
We prefer to stay in mid priced guesthouses rather than hotels. Reasonably close to the lake would be nice.
Thank you,
Paul

cathyg

Peter_in_Hungary

The choice would be between the south shore and the north shore.

The best thing about the south shore is...............the view of the north shore.

Any of the villages/town on the Balaton shore are going to be full of tourists. For a quieter time go one step back.

Have a look at the Kali Basin (Kali Medence) see https://www.bfnp.hu/en/kali-basin

Unless you want to top up your skin cancer sitting on the beach all day....most of the beaches have reduced price entrance after about 16:00 and free after 19:00 so an evening dip followed by a 'langos' is a good option.

PaulinEger

Thanks for the tips. We're definitely not ones for sitting on a beach all day in an area we've never been to before, especially when we're only there for 2 or 3 days. We want to be out and about seeing things.

duztee

Purely my personal opinion, Skip the muddy puddle, you will have plenty of time to wave to it as you crawl along in the painfully slow tourist traffic, (be careful of the ones who don't know where they are going and will stop, brake or turn suddenly without bothering to indicate) and just go straight for Slovenia.
Unless you plan to drive to the far side of the country the vignette for Slovenia is quite expensive for the short time you will be there.
Don't really know what you are looking for, but the hot water spa, golf course and water park complex at Moravske Toplice has plenty going on and is only a half hour drive from the border on national roads. (Actually there is no border as such)
Hotels and plenty of guest houses, apartments, camping or villas to stay at.

duztee

Paul, which ever place you decide to visit I would advise that you avoid the M0 Budapest ring road like the plague.
The roadworks section on the bridges over the river will add a couple of hours to your journey, Sunday is slightly better due to the lack of lorries.

PaulinEger

Thanks again.
We have to spend time by Balaton as we've never been (maybe never will again if it's too busy).
We don't plan on venturing too far into Slovenia on this occasion, just have a look and maybe spend more time there at a later date.
Thanks for the M0 tip. We plan on leaving on a Monday and spending the weekdays away but we're flexible on our return. It depends on how we get on.

jameswm

Tihany is a good option too.

PaulinEger

Trip is now booked. Setting off on Sunday morning to get a good start and hopefully not too much traffic on the M0...forgot it was the Grand Prix :/ so may hit extra traffic on the M3 but hopefully it won't be too bad between Hatvan and Gödöllő at 7am.
First stop is 2 nights in Alsőörs, then 2 nights near Ptuj in Slovenia, followed by 2 nights in Siófok on the way back. Based on this, can I avoid the motorway toll in Slovenia by using 'A' roads or is it easier to bite the bullet and pay the 15 Euros
TIA
Paul

scrubbedexpat0105

The Slovenes enforce their toll rules very vigorously; there's no leeway should you accidentally drive onto a motorway; the fines are very steep (several hundred euros, I understand); and the toll doesn't just apply to motorways, but also to some other main roads (I'm not sure which, exactly, but if I were travelling through Slovenia, I wouldn't want to be enlightened by a Slovenian traffic cop).

I'd pay the 15 Euros.

cathyg

PaulinEger

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. We got here in about 3 1/4 hours with no hold ups on the M3 or M0. The traffic was pretty light and kept moving at normal speed for the whole journey. Really took to Balatonfüred, despite it being obviously busy but was taken aback by the prices in the 2 places we stopped for a drink at.
We'll definitely be back more often.