Lake Balaton, Hungary’s largest lake, is in Hungary.
It lies in western Hungary, in the Transdanubian region, and is the largest lake in Central Europe. Covering roughly 600 square kilometres, it stretches about 78 kilometres from end to end. Hungarians sometimes call it the “Hungarian Sea,” a nickname reflecting its scale and importance rather than its being a marine body.
Lake Balaton is a shallow freshwater rift lake. Its northern shore is hillier and includes vineyards, volcanic landscapes, and the Tihany Peninsula, while the flatter southern shore is lined with resort towns. The Zala River provides its largest inflow, and the canalized Sió is its outlet.
The lake has long been a recreation and holiday centre. Balatonfüred and Hévíz became early resorts, while railway construction in the 19th and early 20th centuries helped bring tourism to a wider public. Its surroundings are also known for wine production, supported by a relatively mild local climate.
It is easy to confuse the lake’s location with nearby countries such as Croatia, Austria, or Slovakia, but Lake Balaton lies entirely within Hungary.