Balatonföldvár (in German Földwahr) is a popular resort town in Somogy, Hungary, on the southern side of Lake Balaton, approximately 120 km southwest from Budapest and about 23 km southwest from Siófok, the “capital of Balaton”. Balatonföldvár is a frequently visited tourist destination among Hungarians and foreign guests (especially Germans and Austrians) because of its natural beauties (like the loess hill and the big flowery parks), historical heritages (like the Celtic path, the old mansions and villas) or its countless leisure opportunities. The town offer several water sport (sailing, windsurfing, fishing, rowing etc.) and mainland sport (beach volleyball, bicycle pathes, football etc.) activities.

Balatonföldvár is a major tourist destination, not only for Hungarians, but also for tourists from other European countries. 

Main sights and attractions

The Iron Age Hill Fort

The large Celtic Iron Age Hill Fort after which Balatonföldvár was named was in use until around the 4th century BCE. The mounds and ditches of the fort are mostly well preserved, and are clearly visible on the high shore of the town.

The fort forms an isosceles triangular structure viewed from the air, with two of the sides significantly longer than the third. The cliff between the high shore and the low shore parallel to and above Kemping Utca (‘Camping Street’) formed a natural defensive wall and was one of the long sides to the fort. The other long side to the fort consists of huge man made mounds and ditches, running for several hundred meters from the National Flag (1936) (corner of Kelta Stny and Kilátó Köz) roughly West to East as far as a point across the other side of the main Budapest road to where the Kínai Üzlet (‘Chinese Shop’) now stands. The mounds and ditches are particularly clearly visible at the higher end of Petőfi Sándor Utca next to the Chapel (1897) on Kelta Sétány (literally ‘Celtic Walk’, named after the fort). The third, shorter, side, runs from the location of the current Kínai Üzlet to the cliff, approximately at the lower end of Petőfi Sándor Utca. Unfortunately, the lower end of the fort has not been well preserved, and many of the mounds and ditches that were visible and recorded on maps as late as the late 19th century have been destroyed though the construction of buildings. It seems that the preservation of the cultural history has not been a priority of the local municipality.

Petőfi Sándor Utca

Several notable buildings are situated on Petőfi Sándor Utca, which was previously known as Imre Street. Number 1 Petőfi Sándor Utca was formerly the mansion of Jenő Rákosi, and an established meeting point for poets and writers for many years. The wooden Székely Gate next door was given to Balatonföldvár by one of its twin towns Zetelaka in 1995. Number 9 Petőfi Sándor Utca is ‘Kulpintyó’, the former residence of Zsigmond Széchényi, a famous writer and hunter who was also a member of the famous Széchényi family. Number 11 Petőfi Sándor Utca was the residence of Gizi Bajor, a notable actress and member of the National Theatre. An avenue in the town and the community centre (1994) were named after her. Number 13 Petőfi Sándor Utca (1896) is one of the most notable buildings in town, given that it belonged to Professor Friges Korányi, doctor to the Széchényi family, whose idea it was to develop the area of Balatonföldvár as a bathing resort. This building is built in a Neo-Roman style.

Balatonföldvár Harbor

The port was opened in 1905 and is still one of the largest harbours around Lake Balaton. Two curved piers provide a protected harbor for yachts, boats and ships. The material dredged in order to create the harbour was used to build an artificial island. This artificial island is called Galamb Sziget (‘Pigeon Island’). The name is derived from the decorative dovecotes mounted on pillars on the small bridge used to cross from the mainland to the island. The island has a number of poplar trees and footpaths and is home to the local sailing club.

The western pier is accessible via a 102 m long reinforced concrete bridge, Hungary’s only footbridge with multiple supports, and a listed industrial monument.

After the Communist takeover of Hungary (1948), the area of the Galamb Sziget, the hotel close by and the eastern pier were made inaccessible to the general public. This area was reserved for Communist Party members who came there for the summer holidays. Because of the high security, the area acquired a special air of mystique.

After the regime change in the early 1990s, the authorities opened up this area to the public. However, the eastern pier is not currently accessible to the public.

Balatonföldvár Promenade

Balatonföldvár was beautified with an impressive promenade bordered by a double row of plane trees along the western part of the town. The view of the north shore is breathtaking. Standing on the western pier, one can see a number of conical hills on the other side, and the flat, table like mountain of Badacsony, a famous wine-producing area. The hills of the Tihany peninsula appear much closer. The lower slopes of these dark treed hills are covered with the purple haze of flowering lavender fields during the summer season.

Economy

The main income source of the town is tourism. Most tourists visit Balatonföldvár during the warmer summer time.

Services

Hotels

• Anna-Mária Villa Hotel
• Riviera Park Hotel
• Jogar Továbbképző Központ és Hotel
• Hotel Festival Restaurant
• Jade Panzio
• Hotel Garni
• Főnix Hotel
• Hotel Fesztival
• Hotel Kiss Family
• BF Hotel és Üdülőház
• Villa Dorottya Hotel

Restaurants

• Kukorica Csárda Balatonföldvár
• Viktória Étterem
• Pizza Karaván
• Forrás Restaurant
• Vitorlás Étterem
• Rózsakert Étterem
• Marina Gyros
• Csigahát Étterem
• Fapuma
• Marika Büfé
• Mediterrán Étterem
• Platán Étterem
• Manna Mia

Cafes

• Stég Bár
• Café Publik
• Kárpáti fagyizó és gofrizó

Other services

• H-Future Biztonsági Kft. – property surveillance
• Gigi Kozmetika /Kiss Beatrix Balatonföldvár/ – cosmetics
• Holovits Vitorlásbolt- és Iskola – sailor shop and school
• Kőröshegyfém Bt. – metal trade
• Rosta Olivér kft. – boat rental services

Grocery stores

• Tesco Express
• CBA