When the Siófok Balaton Bathing Company opened its bathing complex in 1893, amongst the services they offered were items such as: covered skittles, croquet, lawn-tennis, rowing boats, yachts… Sport has been a part of Balaton bathing culture right from the start, and is so to this day. The vast expanse of water, the reeds of the lake and the woods and fields of the countryside contain special hidden opportunities. At the end of the 19th century the developing bathing culture of Lake Balaton tried to imitate maritime examples. In this way, sports boats found their way to the lake, which had previously only known ferries or freight barges. Sailing continues to be popular to this day. The expanded, renovated landing stages, such as those at Balatonföldvár (F 3-4), Badacsony (D 4), Szigliget (CD 4), Balatonlelle (E 4) and Siófok (H 3), are up to EU standards. No secret is made of the aim to win as many yachtsmen and women as possible from the overcrowded lakes of western Europe to Lake Balaton.

As well as cruising, yacht racing also has deep roots here. The Balaton yacht races are favoured primarily by sporting yachters possessing some technique. The complex wind currents over the lake often puts even their skills to the test. Yachts brought from elsewhere can be left at the landing stages, but yachts can also be hired here by those who do not wish to bother with transportation. Beginners will find a yachting course in all of the towns on Lake Balaton, where they can even obtain the skipper’s license for small vessels valid for all inland waters in Europe.

In Balatonfüred (G 2-3) and Siófok (H 3) water ski courses with electrical traction attract lovers of the sport, and anyone who wishes can learn with the help of an expert. The span-sized bone hooks in the Balaton Museum in Keszthely (B 4) show that even in prehistoric times the lake was inhabited by fishing peoples. Hooks of this size are - unfortunately! - not necessary today, but those with patience and stamina can still take catfish over one-and-a-half metres long, pikeperch as long as an arm, or carp and white amur of over ten kilograms. Angling tourism is normally recommended in the early and late parts of the season, because the fish bite less in the summer heat. It is possible to fish almost everywhere, but a license is necessary, and this can be obtained in any angling shop. The best fishing waters are in the harbours of the northern shore, and enthusiastic anglers are drawn willingly to the reedy waters. Those who wish to combine a pleasant holiday with hunting experiences could do a lot worse than choose Lake Balaton, because a significant part of the best hunting area in Hungary, Külső-Somogy (“Outer Somogy”) and Bakonyalja (”Bakony foothills”), is to be found in this region. From year to year hundreds of hunters from Hungary and abroad are attracted here by the beautiful roe deer, the bucks crowned with golden horns, and that hunter’s special dream, wild boar as large as a grand piano.

At Lake Balaton it is easy to jump into a saddle, because over the last decade equestrian tourism has developed by leaps and bounds. Riding tours are organised by the local stables at all of the larger resorts. For those who prefer to watch the noble steeds rather than sit astride them, demonstrations are held regularly. The most famous is the stud farm at Szántódpuszta (G 3).

Cycling enthusiasts should note the Balaton Cycle Path, which encircles the lake. But those who arrive by other means of transport would also do well to bring a bicycle, because in the high-season a bicycle gets you around much faster than a car on the crowded roads In the larger towns it is easy to find a bicycle repair shop too.