Szantod on Lake Balaton: Beaches, Ferry and Estate History

The ferry across Lake Balaton runs year-round between Szántódrév and Tihanyrév, carrying vehicles and passengers. Szantod has two free beaches: on Juhász-Gyula Street and Rigó Street. Szántódpusztai Majorság is a historic agricultural estate whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.

Szántódpusztai Majorság is one of Hungary’s oldest agricultural estates. Its long history comes to life through several distinct themed areas. In the barn, the interactive exhibition “Búza útja” explores traditional grain cultivation for self-sufficiency, knowledge of traditional farmhouse bread, and the importance of wheat as an essential grain. Information boards at the kukoricagóré provide information about corn and how it is processed.

The estate also offers a barefoot path, or Kneipp stepping path. Its sensory stations let visitors experience sunken materials, as well as materials and equipment used in the past. These stations are also accessible to people with disabilities. For visitors with visual impairments, the station names are displayed in Braille in addition to the Hungarian Latin-letter labels.

Building 21 houses a rotating exhibition space that can serve as a venue for local and regional artists and creative professionals. Visitors can also learn about the history of the Tihany–Szántód ferry at the Majorság: it was established at the lake’s natural narrow point and was formerly owned by Tihany Abbey.

The free beach on Juhász-Gyula Street is also known as Beach Party. Its fine sand slopes gently into deeper water. The also-free beach on Rigó Street has a grassy sunbathing area for visitors. When choosing between the two bathing spots, you can consider their different features: sand and a gently sloping shore at one, and a grassy sunbathing area at the other.

For travel across Lake Balaton, the connection between Szántódrév and Tihanyrév is relevant. It is the only ferry connection across the lake and runs year-round, carrying vehicles and passengers. In Szantod, a separate pedestrian and cycling path, or cycle path, was also built on a new route parallel to Móricz-Zsigmond Street and Szent-István Street. These two details relate to different aspects of getting around: crossing Lake Balaton and a purpose-built path along these streets.

Above Szántódpuszta, the Chapel of St. Christopher stands on the site of a former chapel. The earlier chapel was built in 1735 with a wooden-shingle roof and wooden tower, renovated and rebuilt in 1820, and consecrated again in 1821. A statue of Kossuth Lajos stands in Kossuth Park in Szantod.

If you would like to compare other places, you can also find pages about Teleki, Balatonszárszó, Balatonföldvar, Balatonőszöd, Kötcse, Szólád and Balatonszemes.

What are the beaches in Szantod like?

The free beach on Juhász-Gyula Street, also called Beach Party, has fine sand that slopes gently into deeper water. The free beach on Rigó Street has a grassy sunbathing area.

When does the ferry between Szántódrév and Tihanyrév run?

The only ferry connection across Lake Balaton runs year-round and carries vehicles and passengers.

What information do the barefoot path’s sensory stations provide?

The stations let visitors experience sunken materials, as well as materials and equipment used in the past. The station names are also displayed in Braille for visitors with visual impairments.

For the broader travel overview: Balatonföldvári.

Information to help plan your trip:

Szántód on Lake Balaton: ferry, lakeshore and excursions.