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Rising prices on the Adriatic, fluctuations in the forint and more conscious planning are all contributing to Hungarian travelers increasingly choosing Lake Balaton and other domestic destinations over foreign seaside, Világgazdaság reported.
The habits of Hungarian holidaymakers have changed significantly in recent years: today, it is not only price that matters, but also the local program offerings, gastronomic experiences, and year-round accessibility. According to Tamás Fekete, President of the Balaton Tourism Association, Lake Balaton is no longer just a summer destination: more and more people are visiting in spring, autumn, and even winter. In addition to rising prices on the Adriatic coast, the Mediterranean heat is also deterring many, while the “Hungarian Sea” offers better value for money and a variety of activities.
Data from Szallas.hu confirms this trend: one-third of domestic bookings for the summer of 2025, are for the Balaton region, with apartments being the most popular type of accommodation.
At the same time, it can be observed that guests are booking for shorter periods, typically two nights, and most bookings are for less than 170,000 HUF (around 426 EUR). Siófok (southern shore of Lake Balaton) leads the way with almost two and a half times as many bookings as Budapest, which ranks second.
Photo: Hungary Today
The Croatian coast remains a popular destination, especially the Kvarner Bay area and the island of Vir, where Hungarian guests mainly rent apartments, often for a week-long vacation. At the same time, there are still a surprising number of vacancies for the high season: for example, there are more than 400 apartments and hotels available in Opatija in mid-July, and although luxury villas cost millions, cheaper options are available for around 190,000-200,000 HUF (around 476–501 EUR).
According to the article, the fluctuation of the forint against the euro also poses a risk, which is why many people are choosing domestic destinations or considering alternative foreign destinations such as Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, or Transylvania.
However, Lake Balaton’s biggest advantage remains that it offers year-round recreation, unlike the Croatian coast, which is mainly attractive to Hungarian tourists during the summer months.
Last year was a record year for Lake Balaton, with 3.2 million visitors, and another peak is expected this year – not necessarily because of Croatian prices, but because of the favorable weather and continuously improving services. Holidays therefore remain important for Hungarians, but they are planned much more consciously, for shorter periods and in a more thoughtful manner than before.
Via vg.hu; Featured photo: Hungary Today