Focus on Siófok - 5+1 family- and cyclist-friendly tips for the summer

If we want to make a deeper acquaintance with Siófok, first it is worth visiting the centre of the town further away from Lake Balaton. The water-tower built in 1912 stands here. The former water reservoir on the roof of the more than 40-meter-high building has been transformed, and today we can access the two-story exhibition space inside with a panoramic elevator. On the lower floor, we can see the permanent exhibition of the first honorary citizen of Siófok, Varga Imre, and one level up, the local history exhibition highlighting the past of Siófok. The icing on the cake is that in good weather we can see the entire countryside in 360 degrees through the panoramic windows. It is also worth visiting the Tourinform office at the bottom of the water tower, where you will also find traditional and cycling publications about the area. After the visit at the dizzying height visit the Main Square at the bottom of the tower. The sculptures of Varga Imre line up here, like in an outdoor sculpture park. The renowned artist became the first honorary citizen of the city of Siófok in 1985.

Adjacent to the main square is the birth-place of Kálmán Imre, the composer from Siófok, which today houses a memorial museum. The name of Kálmán Imre is known all over the world. His life is so special that a film was made about it. In the memorial house, we can learn a lot about his career. It is a special experience to visit the places where this fantastic talent spent the first 9 years of his life. It turned out that he was a real child prodigy already in his childhood. He took his first music lessons at the age of four, and by the age of 15 he was already a celebrated pianist. A severe tendovaginitis ended his career as a musician, so he started composing. His first operetta was presented in 1908. International fame was brought to him by the Csárdáskirálynő, which was staged in 1915. If you want to find out more interesting facts about him, visit the Kálmán Imre Memorial House or take part in one of the thematic walks organized by the museum!

The railway line between Buda and Nagykanizsa was opened in 1861, which still bisects the town. Next to the railway station is the Millennium Park, where you can listen to some of the most famous compositions Kálmán Imre next to his statue. On the other side of the tracks lies the largest green space of the town, the 4.6 hectare Jókai Park, which can be approached from the Batthyány Square. The cozy villas built before the turn of the century still stand under the huge trees. Walking a little further in, we find a Far Eastern Japanese garden and several playgrounds.

The first open-air stage of the Balaton, the Kálmán Imre Szabadtéri Színpad (SzínpART), opened in the Jókai park in 1975. It hosts large-scale performances in the summer with an auditorium for 1,576 people, equipped with the most modern technology.

Along the coast we find today's Isztriasétány, here was the old esplanade, where the first hotels of Siófok were built. From the 1920s, hydroplanes to the capital started from here. Jókai Mór, Krúdy Gyula and Karinthy Frigyes were also frequent guests here. In the rose garden next to the pier, more than 6,000 roses breathe forth perfume, and there is also a statue of Szekrényessy Kálmán, who was the first to swim across Lake Balaton between Siófok and Balatonfüred. On 29 August, 1880, he made the distance of about 14 kilometres in 6 hours and 40 minutes.

Countless experiences await families and those who want to relax on the waters of Lake Balaton! From the BAHART's port in Siófok, you can take a scheduled boat to many stations, for example on the Szigliget and Szent Miklós boats or on board the modern Balaton catamaran. Of course, we can safely take our bicycles with us on cruises. 

Among the boat programmes we find both cruises and thematic fairy-tale boats. On board of the latter, children can meet pirates, magicians and clowns.

Adjacent to the port, the renovated Sió locks are also worth exploring. The recently modernized technical facility has become a real tourist attraction.

If you want an unusual experience, visit the so-called "Upside down house" on the outskirts of Siófok. On the side of the road, it is obvious from afar that something is wrong here: a complete house has been turned upside down.

It may not seem so strange from the outside, but when you enter, you cry out in admiration, because what you see defies all logic. Chairs, beds, tables hang above our heads, even the glasses are lined up upside down. The dizzying experience is worth capturing in photos, with a little editing you can quickly create portraits of children hanging upside down from the ceiling.

For lovers of sports and active recreation, Siófok offers countless opportunities. Thanks to the BalatonBike365 (BB365) network, you can easily travel around the countryside on two wheels. A mobile application that can be downloaded to your phone will help you choose the right hiking route and help you orientate. In addition to the specific routes, it also shows you the attractions and bike-friendly places along the way.

For lovers of sports and active recreation, Siófok offers countless opportunities. Thanks to the BalatonBike365 (BB365) network, you can easily travel around the countryside on two wheels. A mobile application that can be downloaded to your phone will help you choose the right hiking route and help you orientate. In addition to the specific routes, it also shows you the attractions and bike-friendly places along the way.

The small settlement of Töreki is a favourite destination among cyclists, where you can explore several small fishing lakes (ten in total) on foot along the Töreki nature trail, or you can comfortably explore the countryside with several stops on the asphalt road.