This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Balatonfüred.
Balatonfüred (or Füred) is a spa town in Veszprém county, Hungary. Situated on the north side of Lake Balaton, the city is considered the capital of the northern lake shore. Its 18 square mile (46 square kilometer) area is inhabited by over 13,000 residents. Two main marinas serve as anchors for the many yachts coming into town.
Füred attracts tourists with its natural mineral springs as well as baths, beaches, local wine and fine dining opportunities. Highway No. 71 and a single track railway cross through the town, making it easy to visit different attractions.
Visitors can explore the villages and try out some of the local wine made from Olaszrizling grapes. There are three churches and many other eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings to admire. Kossuth Spring as well as several other carbonated springs provide mineral-rich water for the renowned hospital as well as many spas of the city. You can have a taste by sipping from the Lajos Kossuth drinking hall. Many visitors enjoy sauntering along the Tagore Promenade, which sometimes features a wine festival and is beautifully lit up at nighttime. For more enjoyment, you can stroll around Sundance Park, the former Greek quarter now filled with restaurants and nightlife venues. Lake Balaton provides the chance to go sailing. For tourists who forego the summer high season, they can enjoy winter in Füred by ice skating on the lake.
No matter what activities attract you to the city, there are many accommodations available year-round. Budget-minded travelers will be happy to note that hostels abound in this resort town and its surroundings, especially in Siófok. Guest ratings indicate that the hostels in Veszprém county come in two main varieties: horrible and wonderful. Do not allow a hostel’s pricing to sway your choice; in this town, higher cost is not indicative of better quality. While the most bug-infested, unhygienic hostels manage to charge higher fees, many highly-rated hostels and guesthouses provide clean, friendly accommodations at a lower cost. So it is prudent to check ratings online prior to your arrival. For extra precaution, pack clean sheets and towels as well as bug spray just in case.
Written by local enthusiast for Balatonfüred hostels
Jakob Lombardi