Balatonfüred is a small town with a population of 13.500. It is surrounded by gently sloping hills and which is situated on the northern shore of lake Balaton. Tourists arriving in Balatonfüred - either by rail, on road or by water - can feel the well-balanced mixture of past and present at once. First they are attracted by the geographical conditions of the town which has been radiating good Pannonian spirits for centuries: it is surrounded by gentle mountains from the north and lake Balaton from the south. It is an ancient settlement which was already inhabited during the reign of the Roman Empire. Visitors can come across the relics of the past at every step. Ancient residential districts, old buildings, churches, intimate vineyards, parks and old trees send their message to the people of our present time.
The fame and greatness of Balatonfüred have been earned by the carbonated springs rushing up here and their utilization for centuries. Until the 20th century only three carbonated springs were known:
1./ The Ancient Well or Bath Spring which can be found under the building of the present Heart Clinic. It was the first utilized spring.
2./ The Lajos Kossuth spring in the present Gyógy (Medicine) Square which is mainly used for drinking treatments.
3./ The Whey spring, in front of the building of the Heart Clinic, the water of which people used to mix with sheep’s cottage cheese and use for healing lung diseases.
Before their utilization, these springs welled up from the ground freely, disappearing among the reeds lining the shore. During the 20th century, after the before-mentioned three springs had been put to use, following the proposal of Lajos Lóczy, four more wells were dug. During the explorations of 1931 sour water and carbon dioxide uprushes were found.
Visitors coming to the town can taste the ’sour water’ of Füred at several places like at the Tagore Promenade as well.
From the Lóczy Cave there is a marked tourist path (green) leading to the wooden, 3-storey Jókai Look-out Tower on Tamás Hill (317 m) from where there is a wonderful view on Lake Balaton and the Tihany Peninsula. Along the Path named Golden Man after one of Jókai’s heroes, benches make your walk even more pleasant and comfortable.
From the look-out tower you can get to the beautiful Koloska Valley and the Koloska Rock on a marked tourist path (blue and green). There is a small pond in front of the Koloska Spring embedded in the rocks, however, it dries out in drought-stricken periods.
Sights
Ruins of St. Michael’s Church
The weekend house of Blaha Lujza, one of the greatest actresses of Hungary - today Hotel Blaha Lujza
Dőry Villa – today Astroria
Jókai Museum
Tagore Promenade
Lóczy cave
Statue of the fisher and the ferryman at the harbour
