Hungary’s lakes shape regional life — offering beaches, bird habitat, thermal springs and quiet fishing or boating spots across plains and hills. Many are easy day trips from Budapest while others sit in quieter counties, each with a distinct character and local uses.
There are 29 Lakes in Hungary, ranging from Balaton to Öreg-tó. Entries include County/Region,Surface area (km2),Notable (max 15 words) so you can quickly compare location, size and a key feature — you’ll find that information below.
Which lakes are best for swimming or family outings?
Lake Balaton is the classic choice for swimming and family facilities, with sandy shores and shallow areas; thermal lakes like Hévíz suit warm-water bathing, while smaller lakes and ponds are quieter for picnics or birdwatching. Always check local water-quality reports, access points and seasonal services before you go.
How do I read the County/Region, Surface area (km2) and Notable columns?
County/Region names show the administrative area, Surface area (km2) gives the lake’s size in square kilometres, and Notable (max 15 words) highlights a quick distinguishing fact (e.g., thermal spring, bird reserve, recreation beach). Use these fields to shortlist lakes, then verify up-to-date conditions with local sources.
Lakes in Hungary
| Name | County/Region | Surface area (km2) | Notable (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balaton | Somogy, Veszprém, Zala | 594 | Central Europe’s largest lake; major holiday resort for swimming and sailing. |
| Tisza-tó | Heves, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok | 127 | Largest artificial lake in Hungary; excellent for ecotourism and birdwatching. |
| Fertő-tó | Győr-Moson-Sopron | 75 | Shared with Austria; vast, shallow steppe lake; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Velencei-tó | Fejér | 24.2 | One of Europe’s warmest lakes; popular for water sports and family holidays. |
| Fehér-tó | Csongrád-Csanád | 14 | Famous bird migration stop, part of Kiskunság National Park. |
| Deseda-tó | Somogy | 8 | Hungary’s longest artificial lake; popular for fishing, boating, and its arboretum. |
| Pécsi-tó | Baranya | 1.95 | Largest lake of the Orfű lake system; ideal for sailing and recreation. |
| Öreg-tó | Komárom-Esztergom | 2.4 | Historic lake by Tata Castle, a vital resting place for migratory wild geese. |
| Rakaca-víztározó | Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén | 2.3 | Largest artificial lake in the Aggtelek region; popular for fishing and angling competitions. |
| Markazi-víztározó | Heves | 1.14 | Reservoir at the foot of the Mátra mountains; a scenic spot for fishing. |
| Lupa-tó | Pest | 1 | Man-made lake near Budapest with white sand beaches, known as “Budapest’s seaside”. |
| Szelidi-tó | Bács-Kiskun | 0.8 | Salty medicinal water; popular summer resort for swimming and camping. |
| Maconkai-víztározó | Nógrád | 0.58 | Internationally renowned carp and competition fishing venue. |
| Palatinus-tó | Komárom-Esztergom | 0.33 | Known for its crystal clear water, earning it the nickname “Hungarian Adriatic”. |
| Mályi-tó | Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén | 0.32 | Former gravel pit lake near Miskolc, now used for swimming and fishing. |
| Gyopárosi-tavak | Békés | 0.22 | System of lakes known for its spa complex; the “Pearl of the Lowlands”. |
| Sóstó | Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg | 0.19 | Medicinal thermal lake in Nyíregyháza, surrounded by a popular park and spa complex. |
| Gébárti-tó | Zala | 0.17 | Recreational lake near Zalaegerszeg with a beach, aquapark, and crafts house. |
| Naplás-tó | Budapest | 0.16 | Largest lake in Budapest, located in a nature conservation area; great for birdwatching. |
| Hámori-tó | Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén | 0.11 | Picturesque lake in Lillafüred, surrounded by mountains; boating available near the Palace Hotel. |
| Omszki-tó | Pest | 0.08 | Popular recreational and fishing lake near Budakalász, close to the Danube. |
| Bánki-tó | Nógrád | 0.07 | Small, scenic lake known for its summer music festival, Bánkitó Fesztivál. |
| Dombay-tó | Baranya | 0.07 | Artificial lake in the Mecsek hills, perfect for hiking and tranquil relaxation. |
| Városligeti-tó | Budapest | 0.05 | Iconic Budapest landmark; boating in summer, ice skating in winter by Vajdahunyad Castle. |
| Hévízi-tó | Zala | 0.047 | World’s largest biologically active, natural thermal lake; year-round swimming in warm water. |
| Vadása-tó | Vas | 0.03 | Small, scenic lake in the Őrség region; popular for swimming and camping. |
| Feneketlen-tó | Budapest | 0.015 | Urban park lake in Buda with a unique history; popular for jogging and relaxing. |
| Fekete-tó | Veszprém | 0.01 | Strictly protected marshy lake in the Tapolca Basin; a nature lover’s paradise. |
| Malom-tó | Veszprém | 0.005 | Crystal-clear spring-fed lake in the heart of Tapolca, powering an old mill. |
Images and Descriptions
Balaton
Balaton is the largest lake in Hungary and Central Europe. It is a shallow freshwater lake with long beaches, sailing harbors, and wine regions along its shores. Include as the country’s top lake for recreation and travel planning.
Tisza-tó
Tisza-tó is a large reservoir built on the Tisza River. It is a key spot for birdlife, fishing, and water sports. List it for nature tourism and lake-based activities in eastern Hungary.
Fertő-tó
Fertő-tó (Neusiedlersee) is a shallow, reed-ringed lake shared with Austria. It has a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape and strong birdwatching value. Note it as a cross-border lake with unique wetlands and wind sports.
Velencei-tó
Velencei-tó sits close to Budapest and is one of Hungary’s warm, shallow lakes. It serves day-trippers with beaches, sailing, and bike paths. Highlight it for easy access from the capital.
Fehér-tó
Fehér-tó is a name used for saline or shallow ‘white’ lakes in Hungary’s lowland regions. These lakes often host special plants and birds and form on alkaline soils. Include as a representative of Hungary’s puszta wetland types.
Deseda-tó
Deseda-tó is a reservoir near Kaposvár used for recreation and local fishing. It has trails and picnic spots along the shore. Mention it for regional outdoor activities in Somogy County.
Pécsi-tó
Pécsi-tó is an urban recreational lake near the city of Pécs. It offers walking routes, fishing, and seasonal events. Include it as a city-accessible leisure lake in southern Hungary.
Öreg-tó
Öreg-tó (Old Lake) in Tata is a historic waterside lake by a castle and park. It supports bird colonies and quiet boating. Note it for heritage, wildlife, and short visits from Budapest.
Rakaca-víztározó
Rakaca-víztározó is a northern Hungary reservoir used for flood control, angling, and local recreation. It sits amid rolling hills and forest. Add it as a practical water body with wildlife interest.
Markazi-víztározó
Markazi-víztározó is a man-made reservoir commonly used for irrigation, fishing, and small-scale recreation. It represents the many regional reservoirs that support rural communities. List it for utility and local leisure value.
Lupa-tó
Lupa-tó is a modern recreational lake on the outskirts of Budapest. It features beaches, cafes, and water-sports facilities. Include it as a convenient weekend spot for the capital area.
Szelidi-tó
Szelidi-tó is a warm, shallow lake on the Great Plain, favored by families. It has reed shores and calm water ideal for swimming and small boats. Mention it for family-friendly beach options away from big cities.
Maconkai-víztározó
Maconkai-víztározó is a small southern reservoir used mainly for fishing and birdwatching. It typifies local water storage sites that double as wildlife habitats. Add it for regional nature and angling mentions.
Palatinus-tó
Palatinus-tó is a constructed leisure lake linked to public bathing complexes. It serves swimmers and families with shallow pools and park space. Note it as part of urban recreation infrastructure.
Mályi-tó
Mályi-tó lies near Miskolc and functions as a local leisure and angling lake. It offers walking paths and picnic areas. Include it for regional day trips in northern Hungary.
Gyopárosi-tavak
Gyopárosi-tavak are resort ponds near Orosháza, linked to spa facilities and beaches. They form a small lake complex used for family holidays and events. List them as spa-region leisure lakes.
Sóstó
Sóstó refers to lakes in spa and park areas, notably near Nyíregyháza. These lakes sit beside open-air museums, forests, and bath complexes. Include Sóstó for cultural visits combined with nature.
Gébárti-tó
Gébárti-tó is a recreational reservoir near Zalaegerszeg. It offers beaches, trails, and birdwatching. Add it as a tidy example of multi-use regional lakes suited to families.
Naplás-tó
Naplás-tó is a natural lake and wetland on Budapest’s outskirts. It is a protected spot for birds and native plants. Include it as an urban nature reserve and quiet birding site.
Hámori-tó
Hámori-tó lies in the forested hills of Lillafüred near Miskolc. It is a scenic lake with boating and cliffside views. Mention it for mountain-side leisure and nature photography.
Omszki-tó
Omszki-tó is a small lake on Budapest’s suburban edge used by anglers and sunbathers. It offers simple access and calm water. Add it as an everyday local lake close to the city.
Bánki-tó
Bánki-tó sits in northern Hungary and serves as a popular holiday lake with beaches and water sports. It hosts camps and family events in summer. Include it among accessible inland recreation lakes.
Dombay-tó
Dombay-tó refers to a mountain or upland lake used for hiking and short stays. It adds highland scenery to the list of Hungarian lakes. Note it for nature walks and cooler summer retreats.
Városligeti-tó
Városligeti-tó is the City Park Lake in central Budapest. It offers boating in summer and an ice rink in winter. Include it as an iconic urban lake with easy visitor access.
Hévízi-tó
Hévízi-tó is a thermal lake near Hévíz known for medicinal waters and year-round bathing. It is one of the world’s largest active thermal lakes used for spa treatments. List it as Hungary’s top thermal-lake attraction.
Vadása-tó
Vadása-tó is a small local lake often used for fishing and family outings. It represents many community lakes that support leisure and nature nearby towns. Add it for simple recreational options.
Feneketlen-tó
Feneketlen-tó means ‘bottomless lake’ and names several small Hungarian lakes. These spots often carry local stories and vary from deep ponds to shallow wetlands. Include as a common traditional lake name.
Fekete-tó
Fekete-tó means ‘Black Lake’ and applies to multiple peat- or forest-fed lakes with dark water. These lakes have rich wildlife and quiet shores. Mention them as typical forest and moorland lake types.
Malom-tó
Malom-tó means ‘Mill Lake’ and usually marks former mill ponds or small reservoirs. These lakes are common near villages and serve fishing and local recreation. Use them to represent historic, small-scale water bodies.
