Balatonszéplak has a history as a holiday resort that can be traced through its design, names and later development. One specific point of reference is the statue in Végh-Ignác Square in Balatonszéplak-felső; another perspective is offered by the 20-kilometre cycling tour through Balatonszéplak-alsó, Töreki and Balatonszéplak-felső, which starts and ends in Siófok. Ezüstpart also provides a clear point of reference for a day at the beach. Local history, the monument, the beach and the circuit are different highlights for your trip.
Ezüstpart: area, boundaries and facilities
The designated free beach, Ezüstpart, covers approximately 1,200 m². It is bounded by Csongor utca to the east and Egri János utca to the west. Several changing rooms, outdoor showers and toilets complement sports and leisure facilities that include several volleyball, teqball and foot tennis courts. These sports give you a specific range of options if you would like to include some activity in your beach visit.
Holiday resort and changing names
Balatonszéplak was established and discovered as a holiday resort in the early 1930s. Szűcs Zsigmond, who came from Budapest, designed the holiday complex in 1929–1930. The design, its establishment and its discovery as a holiday resort mark different stages in the area’s history.
The names also tell different chapters of the story. The part of Balatonszéplak in question was formerly called Balatonlidó because of its sandy shore; this name was never official. Ezüstpart, in turn, refers to the planning of the lakeshore: the stretch east of Siófok, also called Aranypart, was intended for hotel construction. In Széplak, the section designated for company holiday homes remained; it was given the new name Ezüstpart. Thus, Balatonlidó refers to a former, never-official name, while Ezüstpart came from the division of the lakeshore at the time.
Statue and cycling tour
A statue of Mihály Károlyi stands in Végh-Ignác Square in Balatonszéplak-felső. On a different scale is the 20 km cycling tour “Birdsong Experiences in the Töreki Nature Conservation Area” (“Madárdalos élmények a Töreki Természetvédelmi Területen”): it runs from Siófok via Balatonszéplak-alsó railway station, Töreki (Cinege pihenő) and Balatonszéplak-felső, returning to Siófok. While the statue marks a single named place, the tour describes a circuit with several stops. Check route conditions locally.
Lake Balaton - South: nature highlights in the wider region
Those who also want to explore regional nature highlights alongside the lakeshore’s history can look to the wider Lake Balaton - South destination. In 2009, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet received the title of International Dark Sky Park because of its low light pollution; the Zselici Csillagpark was established in the heart of the protected area. Baláta lies between Kaszó and Szenta and is among Somogy’s most valued natural assets. Somogy County also includes Kis-Balaton, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet, the Barcsi Ősborókás and the Babócsai Basakert. These natural assets are part of the regional picture of Lake Balaton - South and Somogy.
Discover more destinations: Balatonendréd, Ádánd, Zamárdi, Nagyberény, Siofok, Sosto, Töreki, Balatonszabadi.
For the main travel guide: Siófoki.
