Siófok
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Siófok is the town at the southern coast of the Lake Balaton. It has appr. 23,000 residents and it has been one of the most popular summer resorts of the lake area since the beginning of the 20th century, it is known locally as ”the capital of Balaton”.
Recreation
Galerius Thermal Spa and Wellness Centre (Szent László utca 183) offers bathing and relaxing in the warm (33-37°C) geothermal water.
Boat trips on the lake with the schooner or a rent boat are a funny way get aqcuainted with the lake and its others resorts, e.g. Tihany, where is a lovely abbey.
Beaches
Most of the beaches in Siófok are free access beaches. The Beach Club here offers many kind of activities, such as beach volley ball (with organised amateur championships), swimming pool, streetball court, tennis, ping-pong, water polo and volley ball, live concerts on the main stage, excersise shows on the main sandy beach, bars, restaurants and dancefloors all around the resort.
Water Tower
The Water Tower stands in the city center, address 11. Fő tér. It has two panorama elevators, an oxygen bar and café, and an experience center with a panorama view over the lake. A remarkable vantage point.
Jókai park
This park is a green lung of Siófok. it has two gardens, English-one and a Japanese. Lovely place for late night strolls and piqueniques.
Get around
The most practical ways to move in town is using a bicycle or a moped, both of which can be rented for ~8 / ~15 euros per day.
There is also a bus network, which charges ~1.5 euros per trip.
Taxi cabs usually charge 10-15 euros per trip, regardless of the distance. During the night the price might double!
Get in
There is a small international airport in Sármellék, near Héviz, called Héviz Balaton Airport, which is about an hour drive from Siófok. List of its airlines and destinations is visible here.
The Franz Liszt International Airport in Budapest is 140 kilometres away from Siófok, and is easily accessible using the M7 and M0 motorways. List of its airlines and destinations is visible here.
Trains to Siófok leave from Déli pályaudvar and Keleti pályaudvar railway stations in Budapest and the journey takes about an hour and thirty minutes. Trains also run along the coast from Nagykanizsa in the west. Venezia Express provides daily train between Venice and Budapest, which stops at Siófok. Timetables of Hungarian State Railways are visible here.
VOLÁNBUSZ operator offers bus lines from Budapest to Siófok. See those certain lines here.
Top 5 in Siófok
- Rent a boat for the lake trip
- Cycling
- Water Tower
- Trip to Tihany Abbey
- Beach Club
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Wikimedia Commons with CC-BY-licence / Szilas, Pierre Bona, Szipiszopi[/fusion_text]
