There is a moment when Lake Balaton finally takes a deep breath.
After the 20th of August, cars get thinner, parking spots are released, there's gonna be a shorter line at the buffet, and once again in a restaurant you're not just looking at as an order number. The lake stays in the same place, Badacsony goes nowhere, but Fonyód suddenly becomes much more livable.
A lot of people still think of the summer in Balaton as if on August 20th, the last light of the fireworks officially ended. This is the end of the season, at most. The truly pleasant period of Lake Balaton begins just after that for many.
We call this the second summer of Fonyód.
The accommodation could cost half as much
Let's start with what everyone sees first: prices.
The long weekend of the 20th August is one of Balaton's most sought-after periods. The accommodation is quickly full, there are a lot of minimum prices required and the prices are in line with demand. A few days later, however, a very different picture can be received.
Depending on accommodation, type of apartment and time, prices at the end of August or early September may decrease to half the prices in the week of 20 August. This is not automatically valid for every house and every day, of course, but the difference can be very real - especially on weekdays or a few nights' rest.
You get the same apartment with the same panorama, the same coffee maker and the same Balaton. You pay less for it, and there's a good chance that even from the terrace of the apartment next door you won't hear a complete family meeting.
If you are flexible with the time, it is worth seeing currently free apartmentsWe do not have a minimum mandatory period, so Fonyód at the end of August works as a shorter escape for two to three days.
Fonyód will not be empty, it will become more ventilated
There's a big difference between an abandoned resort and a comfortable, calm town in Balaton. After August 20, Fonyód is fortunately the latter.
In the centre there is still life, it works in the market, it remains open throughout year's restaurants and at a better time beaches do not lose their meaning. It's just that you don't feel like half of Hungary wants to put a blanket down on the same square metre of grass at the same moment.
The Barley beachThe city beach - local known as Tungi -, Belatelep and the smaller free beaches show how lovable they are. There's more space, less noise, easier parking, and no need to launch a strategic operation at 7: 30 in the morning for a shadowy tree.
Of course, the temperature of water is not guaranteed, nor is it the weather in Balaton. However, on a beautiful day at the end of August or early September there is still plenty to swim or simply sit barefoot on the beach. And if the weather is cooler, the lake bank will still be ours - only in other ways.
To select the appropriate coastline there is detailed Our beach comparison in Fonyód.
Finally, you don't have to survive 40 degrees.
In the heat of July and early August, sometimes we don't have a vacation anymore, but we do survival exercises. Sunscreen, shadow search, air conditioning, new parasol, and then at night to determine that it's still 30 degrees.
In the second half of August, the heat usually softens. During the day, it can continue to be pleasant and warm, but there is less chance that at 2: 00 p.m. we won't even remember our own name. The evenings are fresher, the terraces are more usable, and it seems like a good idea to go on foot again.
To Mount Sipos, for example, it's a different experience to walk up there without having to rethink our lives at every turn. The Szaploncay promenade, the Castle Hill and the intestinal streets also work better when the sun is no longer a personal insult to us.
The lights at the end of August are also particularly beautiful. The course of the Badacsony seems cleaner, the sunset arrives early, and at last there is no need to wait until 9: 00 p.m. for a usable terrace light.
In restaurants you can be a guest again
Lake Balaton catering is sometimes a harsh genre during high season. The terrace is full, everyone arrives at the same time, the kitchen works at full speed, and the waiters are trying to smile while they're already ordering the next six tables.
This doesn't necessarily happen because anyone does their job wrong. There's just too many people wanting to have lunch at the same hour.
After 20 August, a lot of this pressure will disappear. It's easier to find a table, more time for questions, the kitchen doesn't have to be equipped for mass service, and someone might actually tell you what to choose from the menu again.
Everyone's a little calmer and kinder. The guest is because he didn't have to find a parking spot for 40 minutes. The waiter is here because 12 tables didn't arrive at the same time. And the cook is because he has time to prepare the food as he originally dreamed it.
The opening of seasonal places can change at this time, so it is always worth checking before departure. Between restaurants, cafés and bakeries thinking about the whole year or longer Things to do in Fonyód you can choose in a guide.
The second bike season begins.
There are actually two really good cycling periods around Balaton. The first starts in spring and the second begins when the summer heat finally gives in to its grip.
From the end of August, it's a pleasure to ride again. You don't have to leave at dawn just to get back by noon, and no longer tour becomes a fluid replacement experiment. Coastal routes are greener, fewer casual cyclists with uncertain zits and easier to find than stops.
Short and longer routes can be put together from Fonyód. You can turn to Balatonpines or Balatonboglár, move towards the Nagbers or combine the bike with the train. The search for more serious climbers will also find themselves busy in the mountains of Fonyód - although Sipos- mountain still won't be a plain from the past 20 August.
The possibilities of running, hiking, cycling and water sport have been collected separately from the Active Fonyód in a guide.
Programs don't end with fireworks either.
The Lake Balaton settlements increasingly recognise that not everything can be shrunk in July and the first three weeks of August. At the end of August and September also concerts, gastronomic events, sports programs, markets, family days and small local events are held.
They are often more likeable because they are no longer preparing for the main season crowd. It's easier to get closer to the stage, you don't have to arrive an hour early for every program, and the event has some kind of social atmosphere again.
The specific supply varies year after year, so it is worth seeing before departure. Fonyód Programme Calendar. And if you come for just a few days, Fonyód this weekend page will show you what's happening right now in the city.
It's a lot nicer with dogs.
The cooler time is not only appreciated by people. With a dog, it can be a very good decision to rest in Fonyód at the end of August.
The longer walks are no longer available only after sunrise and dark, the grass areas are less crowded, and it is easier to find a table on restaurant terraces where the dog can easily fit. The seasonal operation of the Fonyód Dog Bath must be checked before departure, but there are also plenty of walking areas in and around the city.
The detailed beach, walk, restaurant and accommodation recommendations Fonyód with a dog You'll find it on the side.
There's only one downside.
After 20 August some especially seasonal buffet, rental and small restaurant facilities can switch to shorter opening hours and then close gradually. The ship and train schedules may also vary, so they must always be checked.
In return, you will not get a closed city, but a calmer Fonyód. The market works, the city lives, many restaurants and cafes are open all year round, and Lake Balaton is still at the end of the coast.
You just don't have to see it with another 3,000 people at the same time.
Fonyód at this time, perhaps even more.
In the main season, Lake Balaton tries to meet everyone. But after August 20th, he slowly finds his way back to himself.
Mornings are quieter. The market is less hasty. There's time to talk in restaurants. On the beaches, you don't have to lie on each other's towels. You can ride your bike again, walk, go on a trip and drink coffee without thinking about how many people are standing in line.
The accommodation may be cheaper, the weather is more pleasant and you will receive the same Balaton - only with more space, more attention and a lot less nervous.
Maybe this isn't the official season.
But it could easily be the best part of Lake Balaton.