Lake Balaton is about 77 kilometres long and up to 14 kilometres wide — but it is quite shallow. In most places it is only 3 or 4 metres deep, which makes it warm and safe for paddling and swimming. Children can walk quite far from the beach and still touch the bottom.
The northern shore of the lake is hilly and volcanic, with old lava rocks sticking up from the ground. The southern shore is flat and sandy with long gentle beaches. The two sides feel very different — one rugged and green, one open and sunny.
Balaton is famous for sudden summer storms. The sky can go from bright blue to dark purple very quickly, and strong waves appear on the lake almost from nowhere. Lifeguards raise coloured flags to warn swimmers, and all the boats rush back to shore before the storm arrives.
In winter, Balaton sometimes freezes over completely. When it does, locals go ice skating, ice fishing and even sailing on special sleds with skate blades instead of wheels. It is a completely different lake in winter — quiet, white and glittering.