Super adventures on the south shore of Lake Balaton when summer is (already) not raging

Even if the whole weekend’s beaching is cancelled by rain clouds, you don’t necessarily have to give up swimming. There are great places to take a dip on the southern shore of Lake Balaton. In the picturesque Nagyberek we can find Buzsák, where the search for oil in the 1950’s failed – instead of oil, thermal water erupted from underground. This was not that much appreciated by the locals at the time, but today the baths in Csisztapuszta are hugely popular. Contrary to the hypermodern bathing complexes, the Csiszta Spa has a more peaceful, retro atmosphere – but that’s not disturbing at all, in fact! Each of the five pools is filled with sulphurous, carbonated thermal water of Csiszta, which relaxes both body and soul. Before or after bathing, take a ride on the Balatonfenyves narrow gauge railway, whose rebuilt Csiszta line will take you to the unique flora and fauna of the Berek. The latter is also a super rain programme for young and old alike.

At the BL Yacht Club in Balatonlelle, you can relax in the first on-water sauna on the shore and enjoy the fantastic view of the lake from the pools. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by BL Delikát for a selection of delicious and specialities, and even lunch at noon. The programme is child-friendly, but it is also worth coming in pairs if you are looking for a bit of romance.

The area around the valley bridge at Kőröshegy also offers plenty to discover, both in terms of flavours and programmes. In summer, everything here smells of lavender, the after-effects of which can be enjoyed even after the warmer months have passed. From September, the Lavender Farm at Kőröshegy will be waiting for you every weekend in an autumnal atmosphere, with lots of goodies for the pantry shelves, a market for seedlings and tulip bulbs – so it’s worth a visit even after the lavender blossom has finished. The Völgyhíd (Viaduct) Kitchen and Meadow is located under the pillars of the very special viaduct, offering a stunning view of the monumental structure. You can enjoy gastronomic experiences from the glazed terrace with panoramic views, which is not only a good place to be in good weather.

Not far from here, you will find an eerie marshy area where you can wade through a floodplain forest reminiscent of former bogs, while meeting some of the most powerful creatures of the ancient world – of course, the dinosaurs that ‘live’ here are part of the exhibition, so don’t be prepared to run away. In the Kereki Dino Park, you can see everything from Stegosaurus to T-Rex, and if you are still brave enough after the swamp thrill, you can try your hand at the playground. An excellent rain programme for the younger members of the family.

Open all year round, every day of the year (except Mondays in the off-season), the Bella ZOO in Siófok welcomes visitors even in rainy weather. In a fabulous setting, the small zoo is home to two-humped camels, alpacas, kangaroos, meerkats, zebus, peacocks, ornamental birds and giant parrots, emus, ostriches, felines, rabbits, a host of pets and waterfowl, all of which you can get up close and personal with. You can even hop on one of the hoofed hosts, so adventure rides and camel rides are also a great way to spend time in the park.

Not far from the Zamárdi-Felső railway station is one of the most exciting facilities on the south coast, the Zamárdi Adventure Park. Here, you can test your courage on around 35,000 square metres, even in harsh weather when it’s not summer. For the little ones, we recommend the narrow gauge railway, the labyrinth, but there are also several children’s courses for the little adventurers. Adults, of course, have even more adrenaline-pumping opportunities, with more than 200 obstacles on 18 obstacle courses, as well as several slides and a 12-metre-high diving tower that acts as a “free-fall simulator”. Whether you are an advanced or a beginner, the experts in Zamárdi are at your disposal to teach you the correct use of carabiners and to familiarise you with the different types of obstacles.

And if you want to relax after a test of courage, visit the Gömbkilató (Spherical Lookout) in Balatonboglár, where you can not only enjoy an unparalleled panorama, but also walk along the recently built 500-metre canopy trail.