Balatonszemes is an administrative settlement of 42 hectare on the southern part of the lake. Balatonszemes has 1800 permanent residents, about 700 detached houses and 900 holiday homes. In Balatonszemes are 6 beaches and 3 camping sites on its 7-km long lakeside. Several cultural events, catering units and cabarets of good quality serve the guests' entertainment and rest.
Balatonszemes
is a holiday resort for families with children. The five local
camping sites (3 are directly on the lakeside) offer plenty
of accommodations, but there are several private places to
let, hotels and pensions to receive visitors. Unfortunately
there are not many private apartments of really good quality
so it is advisable to book in advance in the main, summer
season..
Balatonszemes
is a holiday resort for families with children. The five local camping
sites (3 are directly on the lakeside) offer plenty of accommodations,
but there are several private places to let, hotels and pensions
to receive visitors. Unfortunately there are not many private apartments
of really good quality so it is advisable to book in advance in
the main, summer season.
To the
great joy of the visiting tourists this is a quiet, peaceful
town. It is among the prime holiday resorts with its numerous
green areas and many trees.
The beautiful alleys of horse-chestnut trees in Árnyas
Street and Bagolyvár Street and the shady plane trees
in Fo Street evoke history altogether with the 600 year-old
Roman Catholic Church originally built in gothic style, where
organ concerts take place at weekends in the summer. Services
are regularly held in the Baptist and Lutheran Churches.
Considering the size of the town the number of possibilities
to eat out is outstanding during the summer. In comparison
with other catering units around the lake and in other
parts of the country as well prices are cheaper than
usual at such places.
Some of the local restaurants offer their dishes,
which they serve in a nice atmosphere on finely laid
tables, at a friendlier price than some other bars
do. There is a choice of these restaurants near the
lakeside and along the highway.
The Kistücsök
restaurant has been well known for decades in Balatonszemes.
If you want to try a simple but traditionally prepared dish
or a speciality served in an excellent way you can enter this
popular restaurant any time during the year. Its own cellar
offers local as well as other regions' wine specialities to
those who like wine.
Those who come
by bicycle must consider spending some time in this town. It is
worth visiting the cosy wine-cellars of the hill - the so called
'Öreghegy' 'Old Hill' is found in the southern part of the town,
which offers an enjoyable pastime with its wine-cellars for those
who love good quality wines and Hungarian culture. Several of the
cellars are qualified stations of the Wine Tour of South Balaton.
However, if the visitor starts in the other direction he can marvel
at the lake, which always provides a different view.
The shallow water of the lake is often apt for bathing as early
as the end of April. It can get as warm as 24-28°C in the summer
so little children can play around and in it undisturbed and safely
from May to September. Deep water starts from a 200-m distance from
the lakeside, which is far enough for little
children to be safe who can not swim yet. Those who dare to get
further from the lakeside on sail, catamaran or windsurf can do
so with safety because there is a storm-corn system on top of the
neighbouring presidency resort and also the light signal system
provides a safe storm prediction around the lake.
Sandy beach near the pier
Berzsenyi D. Street
beach in Balatonszemes
Opportunities
for outdoor activities in the town and in its neighbourhood
Windsurfing:
( According to observations dominant stirs of wind offer
one of the best opportunities for windsurfingat this
part of the lakeside.There is an ideal possibility for
beginners to practice along a 200-m long lakeside sector
and those who are more advanced can challenge themselves
at a 7 or 8 strong wind.
Sailing: (Smaller sails can be rented at the pier. Also,
boat trips can be taken from here regularly to Badacsony,
Keszthely and Tihany. Angling, Horse riding: (In the
neighbouring Balatonőszöd and Rádpuszta, Irmapuszta.),
Tennis: There are several hard cinder, and concrete
courts. Wine- tours, Hiking.
Approachability: We can get
to this town lying in the centre of the southern lakeside directly
by train or by car on E71 highway. It can be reached by regular
coach runs which go quite often in the summer, but it is advisable
to inquire about it in winter.
Number of hits: 
Balatonszemes 
