Guitars are coming back to the shore. RockBalaton, one of Hungary’s most beloved waterfront rock festivals, returns to Fonyód from August 7 to 9, 2026, taking over the southern Balaton town with riffs, lake breezes, and long summer nights. The venue sits at Vitorlás St. 37 (Vitorlás u. 37.), within easy reach of the marina and beaches, so the festival vibe blends straight into Balaton life. The organizers reserve the right to change the date and program, but the plan is clear: three days, lakeside, loud, and home to rock fans from across the country.
When and where
RockBalaton 2026 runs Friday to Sunday, August 7–9, in Fonyód. The setting makes it a standout: crowd energy on the waterfront, sunsets over the northern shore, and the hills of Fonyód framing the backdrop. It’s the kind of location that turns a setlist into a summer memory.
Stay close to the action
Fonyód is packed with stays that fit the festival mood. For groups and crews who want something special, the Boros Castle Guesthouse (Boros Kastély Vendégház) rises like a peninsula in the middle of the Nagyberek Nature Reserve, tucked behind Fonyód Hill and away from the buzz of the resort town. It’s an elegant, family-style mansion for up to 26 guests, great for bands, friends, or company retreats. Expect sailing trips, boat programs, and wine tastings, plus 10 freshly renovated en suite rooms. There are double rooms and four-person, two-room terrace suites with views over the hills and the protected wetlands.
If you want something comfortable and convenient, Hotel Balaton sits right in the town center, just about 328 feet from Lake Balaton and the harbor, and roughly 820 feet from the beach. The hotel accommodates 50 guests and offers fully equipped rooms with showers, minibars, cable TV, and a fire alarm system. Apartments add a kitchenette for late-night snacks or early coffee.
Quiet corners and family-friendly picks
Festival pace meets chill-out space across Fonyód’s neighborhoods. Funoldi Guesthouse (Funoldi Vendégház) is pitched as an ideal spot for anyone who wants to slow down, with a location in one of the town’s prettiest areas and the flexibility to serve as a conference center. For more privacy, several listings offer separate-entrance apartments with sweeping views. One standout: a top-floor flat with an American-style kitchen, panoramic north-shore outlooks, and a one-minute walk to the water.
For bigger groups or families, there are homes on quiet streets with panoramic views and practical extras: attic-level apartments with their own entrance, three bedrooms (two doubles and a triple), kitchen, dining area, a bathroom with a tub, two toilets, and a staircase landing. Outside, you’ll find fenced yards, grills, swing benches, cauldrons for open-fire cooking, sandpits, a pool, and parking—everything you need for a slower morning after a louder night.
A popular option for easy access is a 430-square-foot, two-bedroom, air-conditioned apartment in a safe cul-de-sac just five minutes from the Fonyódliget free beach. Set on a fenced, landscaped lot, it welcomes guests looking to unplug. It also accepts SZÉP Cards. Across the south shore in Fonyód, more separate-entrance apartments with beautiful panoramas are open year-round, so festival-goers can book shoulder-season stays if they’re scoping the area before August.
Eat, drink, repeat
Fueling up is simple in and around the Fonyódliget Holiday Park (Fonyód-liget Üdülőpark), where Zöldkert Restaurant (Zöldkert Vendéglő) sits in a quiet, green setting among trees. It also offers quality guesthouse-style apartments within the holiday park, blending dining and accommodation in one stop. In town, My Kitchen Studio 365 (Konyhám Stúdió 365) anchors the main square with a killer view of Balaton. It’s not just a restaurant—it aims to be an experience, bringing together good vibes and a creative approach to flavor. If you like your culinary trips with a bit of flair, it’s worth a table.
For quick hits, Barbakán in the center serves Fornetti, grilled sandwiches, pastries, house lemonades, specialty coffees, and draft beer. In summer there’s soft serve and slush; in winter, a cozy interior. Free Wi‑Fi keeps you connected between sets and swims.
What else is on
Fonyód’s calendar doesn’t sleep. A New Year’s Eve party at Sunshine Club (Napsugár Club) rings out 2025 with tickets starting from 10,900 HUF to 16,900 HUF, roughly $30 to $47 depending on the rate. Throughout 2025, rock festival recommendations keep fans plugged into the circuit, leading straight into RockBalaton 2026.
Plan it your way
Whether you’re here for a single headliner or all three days, Fonyód makes the logistics easy: stay by the water, grab a terrace table with a Balaton view, and time your walk to the venue with the sunset. From castle-guesthouse elegance to central-hotel convenience, from family apartments to quiet cul-de-sacs near free beaches, you can tailor the weekend to fit your crew. Pack sunscreen, a hoodie for lakeside nights, and your loudest singing voice. RockBalaton is back.
