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Siófok is a town on the south coast of Lake Balaton. The charming little town is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Hungary. The population is around 35,000 people but in the summer season there is another 200,000 people being on vacation at the same time. The name of the city means Cape Sió (Sió is a river bringing water into river Danube).

[edit] Understand

Siófok is mostly famous of its huge nightlife and the never ending parties specially in the weekends. The town is often called "the partying capital of Hungary". But it is important to know that outside of the town centre there are many quiet and peaceful beaches and strands for every age groups. The party season usually begins by the start of the summer break at schools and the end of the spring term at universities which is the end of June, early July. The last party events are on the final weekend before the start of school.

Tourinform Siófok,

• Siófok, Víztorony Pf. 75., Tel.: 84/315-355, Fax: 84/310-117, e-mail: siofok@tourinform.hu

[edit] Climate

Siófok is located on a fairly flat area at the south-east end of Balaton. As the north shore is quite hilly the wind usually hits the south coast bringing some random heavy storms usually in late June but other than that the climate is very hot all summer specially in August when the temperature can go up to 35 degrees in Celsius. People who don't like too hot weather can travel to the lake in May when it is not that hot but warm enough to jump in the water and to get suntanned.

[edit] People

Many tourists come to the city every summer (more and more every year). About 60% of the tourists come from Germany concerning about the history of German tourism to Lake Balaton. Many school trips take place in the town with students arriving mostly from Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Poland and Slovakia.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

There is a small international airport in Sármellék about an hour away from Siófok [1] with flights arriving from many European cities especially London, Zürich, Dublin, Stockholm, Berlin and Frankfurt. The town can be connected to many parts of the World by using Budapest's international airports[2] which are circa 150 kilometers from Siófok.

[edit] By train

Trains to Siófok run from Déli pályaudvar and Keleti pályaudvar railway stations in Budapest, taking about an hour and fourty minutes (faster with InterCity Express). Trains also run along the coast from Nagykanizsa in the west. There is a daily train between Venice, Italy and Budapest which stops at Siófok (and other cities like Ljubljana and Trieste).

• Venezia Experss [3]
• InterCity [4]
• Hungarian State Railways [5]

[edit] By car

[edit] By bus

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

Harbor

• water tower
• Jókai park
• rose garden
• statue park

[edit][add listing] Do

the old Beach House

• Coke Club (the old Coca Cola Beach House) the main beach resort is the #1 attraction in town. The place offers many activities for visitors to do something more than just being on the sun. These activities include beach volley ball (organised competitions aswell), swimming pool, streetball court, tennis, ping pong, water polo and volley ball in shallow water, live concerts on the main stage, excersise shows on the main sandy beach, bars, restaurants, dancefloors all around the resort.
• Galerius Thermal Spa and Wellness Centre Siófok-Szabadifürdő, Szent László utca 183. In the summer of 2006 Siófok's newest thermal spa was opened to put Siófok onto the map of wellness centres in Hungary. The spa was named after the Roman Caesar Galerius and is opened all year. The complex is provided with water from Nagyberény which is circa 15 kms to the south from Siófok. Guests enjoy bathing and relaxing in the warm (33-37°C) geothermal water that comes up from 1091 m deep, known for its positive effects on the skin and the bones.
• There are several annual sailing races for those prefering competition. For boat rentals go to Siófok Marina to the west from the main port. A 8m yacht from about HUF 70,000/day (EUR 280/day).
• Kite surfing is getting very popular on Lake Balaton and there is a beach [6] where everyone can have a go after a quick lesson. For more information get in touch with the providers info@kiteline.hu.
• Wakeboarding

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Sándor Restaurant, Erkel Ferenc utca 30. [7]. If someone feels like having a traditional Hungarian meal with friendly service then this is the place to go. The restaurant can be found just outside of the town centre. It offers party service aswell and it has been voted into the top 100 restaurants in Hungary in 2002.

Mala Garden, Petőfi sétány 15./a [8]. This place is a special design hotel and restaurant. On the menu you can find Hungarian specialities and Asian foods aswell. The whole building and the interieur has been inspired by the modern architecture of Bali Island.

• Amigos Etterem, Fo Utca 99. Not a Mexican Restaurant despite the name. Open all year round- great pizzas from a wood fired pizza oven. Hungarian dishes too. Very reasonably priced.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Charley Café, Fő utca 47-53. [9]. Located in the centre of the town and offers a very friendly atmosphere. The pub is opened all year not only in the summer season and that is why it is very popular among the locals.- Now closed and reopened as La Favola- and Italian restaurant and bar.

Café Móló

Café Móló, Szent István sétány 1. [10]. Café Móló is one of the most popular bars in Siófok. Being not the cheapest place it is mostly visited by people over the age of 25. There is a sandy beach right in front of the restaurant so you can enjoy the sunset with having a colorful coctail.

Bacardi Music Café, Petőfi sétány 5. [11]. During the day this terraced place is a coctail bar and osteria. When the night begins they open the dancefloor in the back and it often ends up in great parties.

[edit] Clubs

• Flört [12]

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Solero** Hotel in the centre, Siofok Batthyany str. 25, (info@solerohotel.hu), [13]. Centrally located accommodation with wellness possibilities nearby. from 13 EUR/night/Person.  edit

• Hotel Agro**, Siofok-szabadifürdő, (info@agrohotelsiofok.hu), [14]. Hotel that can host 200 people, close to the Galerius Spa. from 15 EUR/night/Person.  edit

• Pater family hotel with apartments, Siofok Kinizsi u. 11, (patersiofok@hotmail.com), [15]. 2 swimming pools, air-conditioning, restaurant at the beach entrance in the city center. from 15 EUR/night/Person.  edit
• Caesar apartments and rooms, Vitorlás u. 9, [16]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 10:00. Apartments and cheap rooms in the city center only 200m from the beach  edit

[edit] Get out

The Hungarian Sea	Galerius Thermal Spa	Beach Party Café	The main port
Balaton in the '70s