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Lake Balaton & Southern Transdanubia

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Man floating in thermal Lake Heviz.

Will Sanders

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Overview

Extending roughly 80km like a skinny, lopsided paprika, at first glance Lake Balaton seems to simply be a happy, sunny expanse of opaque tourmaline-coloured water in which to play. But step beyond the beaches of Europe’s biggest and shallowest body of water and you’ll encounter vine-filled forested hills, a national park and a wild peninsula jutting out 4km, nearly cutting the lake in half. Oh, and did we mention Hungary’s most famous porcelain producer and a hilltop fairy-tale fortress?

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Pecs, Hungary.

    Mosque Church

    Pécs

    The largest building extant from the time of the Turkish occupation, the former Pasha Gazi Kassim Mosque (now the Inner Town Parish Church) dominates the…

  • Herend Porcelain Factory

    Herend Porcelain Factory

    Lake Balaton & Southern Transdanubia

    This factory has been producing Hungary’s finest hand-painted china for over 180 years. You can witness how clay becomes delicate porcelain in 40-minute…

  • Zsolnay Cultural Quarter

    Zsolnay Cultural Quarter

    Pécs

    The sprawling Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, built on the grounds of the original Zsolnay porcelain factory, is divided into four sections (craftspeople,…

  • Széchenyi tér

    Széchenyi tér

    Pécs

    Surrounded by largely baroque buildings, Pécs' sloped main square is the city's hub, great for people-watching. With the Mosque Church at the north end,…

  • Csontváry Museum

    Csontváry Museum

    Pécs

    This museum shows the major works of master 19th-century symbolist painter Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry. Elements of postimpressionism and expressionism can…

  • Victor Vasarely Museum

    Victor Vasarely Museum

    Pécs

    This museum exhibits the work of the father of op art, Victor Vasarely. Symmetrical, largely abstract pieces are exhibited with clever illuminations that…

  • Modern Hungarian Gallery

    Modern Hungarian Gallery

    Pécs

    This gallery exhibits the art of Hungary from 1850 till today across several floors; works run the gamut from impressionist paintings to visually striking…

  • Mohács Historical Memorial Site

    Mohács Historical Memorial Site

    Lake Balaton & Southern Transdanubia

    The defeat of the ragtag Hungarian army by the Turks at Mohács on 29 August 1526 was a watershed in the nation’s history, its effects felt up to this day…

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