Balaton Sound is an electronic music festival in Hungary that runs for five nights. You have the option to stay for all five or just attend for a single night. I went on the last night, and I’ll be honest with you – up until that point, I hadn’t heard of Balaton Sound and I didn’t know it was one of Europe’s largest open-air music festivals. Initially, I only knew that my fellow blogging friend, American Dave, had been gifted tickets in return for a blog post. Then, I reached out, and they were kind enough to give me VIP tickets in exchange for my review.
Despite the potential for bias, especially as a guest, I can confidently say this review is honest. Yes, I had a wonderful time, but there were downsides as well, and I am here to share both sides of the experience. I value my integrity more than any marketing deal (funny enough, they didn’t pay me anything for this post). What I want is to provide you, dear reader, an authentic perspective because that’s what I appreciate when reading reviews myself.
The Stunning Setting of Balaton Sound
First and foremost, the location of Balaton Sound is right on Lake Balaton, which is a major plus in my book. This lake is one of Hungary’s main attractions and is renowned for its beauty. Attending this music festival means you can enjoy both the festival experience and the scenic beauty of the lake. Moreover, you have the opportunity to swim anytime you desire, which is especially refreshing when the festival energy is overwhelming.
This was my first visit to the “Hungarian Sea,” and I was thrilled to finally have a chance to explore it. I arrived by train (utilizing my Interrail pass), and let me tell you, the lake stretches for miles, genuinely resembling a sea.
Weather and Atmosphere
Even with a few drops of rain during the evening, the overall weather was incredible. Hungary gets hot during the summer, which allowed us to stroll around comfortably all night. Unlike rainy festivals in certain other parts of the world (cough UK cough), this was a welcome change.
Musical Extravaganza
With music playing from 10 AM until 6 AM across ten different stages, Balaton Sound truly caters to all electronic music enthusiasts. During my visit, I had the pleasure of seeing headliners like Marshmello perform on the gigantic main stage. The diversity of music ensures that there is something for everyone, making it an exciting event for attendees.
Additionally, there were various smaller stages that were perfect for an intimate dance experience and socializing. Surprisingly, I even bumped into a Hungarian YouTuber here!
VIP Experience
Our VIP passes were entirely worth it! For one thing, we enjoyed an elevated view of the main stage, which is especially beneficial for shorter individuals like me. When it started to rain, we were among the few dry festival-goers under cover.
Food and Beverage Options
As a vegan, I was initially concerned about finding food options at Balaton Sound, given that Hungary is traditionally known for its meat-heavy cuisine. However, to my pleasant surprise, there is a thriving vegan scene in Hungary. I discovered falafel and hummus at several stalls and even found a dedicated vegan stall called Vegan Love, where the food was nothing short of fantastic!
Accommodation and Logistics
Balaton Sound offers various accommodation options ranging from camping to hotel stays. We opted for a wooden hut, which, despite being simple (think garden shed with bunk beds), had surprisingly comfortable mattresses and electricity for charging devices. However, some downsides included the fact that the door had a tendency to swing open unexpectedly due to the wind, leading to some restless nights.
Getting to Balaton Sound
Traveling to Balaton Sound from Budapest is quite straightforward, taking less than two hours by train. The nearest station is Zamárdi, from where you can either walk or take a taxi to the festival grounds. The walk takes about 30 minutes, which might feel longer if you’re burdened with heavy bags.
The Overall Experience
In the end, I had an absolute blast at Balaton Sound. The weather, food, scenic location, and vibrant music contributed to a fantastic experience. I highly recommend the VIP tickets, especially for the advantage of clean toilets. Would I attend for multiple days? Probably not; one night was sufficient for me. However, I would gladly return to experience it all again—especially with a group of like-minded friends!
Have you attended Balaton Sound? What were your thoughts on this memorable festival in Hungary?
