Lake Tisza, Hungary: Kisköre (Travel Guide 2025)

PLANNING A TRIP TO KISKÖRE, LAKE TISZA?

You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Hungary and visited Lake Tisza and Kisköre one summer for a short holiday.

Lake Tisza can be visited from Budapest as a day trip but if you want to explore more, there is a 65 km long cycling trail around the lake. In recent years, cycling around Lake Tisza has become very popular.

If you decide to cycle around Lake Tisza, some of the touristy villages along the lake include Poroszló, Abádszalók, Tiszafüred and Kisköre.

If you are making a stop at Kisköre, the best things to do include chilling at the Kisköre Beach, visiting the Hallépcső, seeing the view of Lake Tisza from the Lábasház View Tower or cycling around Lake Tisza.

So, here is everything you need to know about visiting Lake Tisza and Kisköre!

Budapest to Lake Tisza Distance

Lake Tisza is located about 150 km North-East from Budapest and takes around 2.5-3 hours to reach by car, bus or train.

How to Get from Budapest to Lake Tisza

Lake Tisza can be easily reached from Budapest by bus, train, private car or taxis. If you don’t have your own car or don’t want to rent one, the most affordable way is to take a train or bus to Lake Tisza.

The train and bus costs around the same price but the train is a little bit faster – so it is probably best to take the train.

Here is where you can buy bus and train tickets in Hungary:

• Bus tickets: volanbusz.hu
• Train tickets: mav.hu

As an example, the trains from Budapest to Kisköre (Lake Tisza) take 2.5 hours and cost HUF 2,800. While the buses from Budapest to Kisköre (Lake Tisza) take 3 hours and cost HUF 2,600.

Lake Tisza: Quick Facts

Lake Tisza (‘Tisza-tó’ in Hungarian) is about 150 km from Budapest and has a couple of small towns around it, each with their own attractions.

As Lake Tisza is still relatively close to Budapest, you can easily plan a day trip to Lake Tisza and visit one of its towns (e.g. Kiskore, Abádszalók, Poroszló).

Lake Tisza has become more and more popular in the past few years thanks to the development of the lake and the area around it.

A bicycle lane was built to connect the towns along the lake. It is now a popular activity to bike around the lake and stop at each town to take a break and enjoy what each town has to offer.

Kisköre: Quick Facts

Kisköre is one of the towns located at Lake Tisza. It has a small beach and a couple of attractions worth visiting.

I would say visiting all the sights and spending the day at the beach is totally possible in one day, so if you are short on time, visiting Kisköre is a great day trip.

Kisköre, Lake Tisza: Best Things to Do

1. Chill at the Kisköre Beach

• Kisköre Beach Opening Times: 9:00 am – 19:00 pm
• Kisköre Beach Ticket Price: HUF 1,000 (USD 2,70)

To be honest, the beach is quite small, and as you enter the lake, it is a bit muddy and there is seaweed too.

It was okay to swim in the lake, however, the further out you swim, the more seaweed there is, so it is best not swim out too far. 

There are not that many amenities by the beach. There are 2 restaurants and a slide. On the positive side, there are usually not that many people so it is a bit more peaceful.

2. Visit the Hallépcső

The Hallépcső was built to connect Lake Tisza with the River Tisza for the purpose so that the fish can move between the lake and the river.

It is a short drive away from the beach and there are so many fish there. There are some fields next to it and it is a great place to go for a walk and enjoy some time in the nature.

3. Lábasház View Tower

• Lábasház View Tower Ticket Price: HUF 500 (USD 1,30)

Lábasház View Tower (‘Lábasház kilátó’ in Hungarian) is a 4-storey high view tower in Kisköre. The view tower is not so big but if you are visiting Kisköre, it can be one activity to check out.

4. Cycle around Lake Tisza

The cycling track along Lake Tisza is around 65 km and if you are fit you may be able to cycle it in one day.

Many people decide to spend more days around Lake Tisza and stop in the villages around the lake. If you make some stops along the lake, some of the most popular places are Poroszló, Abádszalók and Tiszafüred.

Nevertheless, if you are short on time, it is possible to cycle around the lake in one day. Make sure to pack sunscreen and plenty of water for the trip.

Where to Stay at Lake Tisza

There are many hotels and guest houses in the villages around Lake Tisza. Many of them are not available on booking.com, however, you can browse the guest houses on google maps and contact the place for bookings.

Here are some of my top recommendations for hotels along Lake Tisza that are available to be booked on booking.com:

Day Trips from Budapest

If you want to go on a day trip from Budapest, here are some other options for day trips:

• Szentendre: Charming town close to Budapest. Known for its many museums and can be reached by public transport from Budapest.
• Visegrád: A historically significant town along the River Danube. Can be reached by train or private car from Budapest.
• Esztergom: Close to Visegrád, located along the River Danube and you can also cross over to Slovakia. Can be reached by train or private car.
• Vácrátot Botanical Garden: Want to spend a day in a botanical garden among flowers? Check out the Botanical Garden in Vácrátót! It is easiest to reach by private car.

Pools and Beaches in and around Budapest

Not sure about Lake Tisza? Here are some pools and places with a beach that you can visit:

• Palatinus Strand (Pool): Located in Margaret Island in central Budapest. It is a popular place during summer and you also get to explore Margaret Island.
• Csillaghegyi Strand (Pool): Another popular pool during the summer. It is located a bit further out from central Budapest but you can get there by taking the HÉV trains.
• Római Strand (Pool): Popular pool in Budapest. You can get here by taking the HÉV trains.
• Lake Velence: The Velencei Lake is about 51 km from Budapest and you can get here by trains, private car or taxi. It is about half-way between Budapest and Lake Balaton. While it is nice to spend a few days here, if you are short on time, you can also make it a day trip.
• Lake Balaton: Balaton is the biggest lake in Hungary and popularly it is also referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”. It is about 130 km from Budapest and there are many trains daily that go there. It is best to spend a few days here but can also be visited as a day trip if you g by your own car. Some of the popular towns at Balaton are: Siófok, Badacsony, Balatonalmádi, Keszthely and Tihany.

FAQs: Lake Tisza, Hungary: Kisköre Travel Guide

Where is Lake Tisza?

Lake Tisza is located in Hungary and it is about 150 km North-East from Budapest. Lake Tisza can be reached by trains from Budapest or by private car. It takes about 2 hours to get there by car.

What is the largest lake near Budapest?

The largest lake in Hungary is the Lake Balaton and it is also referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”. Some of the popular towns at Balaton are: Siófok, Badacsony, Balatonalmádi, Keszthely and Tihany.

The closest town by Lake Balaton is about 110 km from Budapest, while the town on the far end of Lake Balaton (Keszthely) is almost 190 km from Budapest.

Where does the Tisza River start?

The River Tisza starts in Rakhiv, Ukraine. It then enters Hungary and it flows from the north of the country to the south. The total length of River Tisza is around 962 km, while its length in Hungary is 597 km.

Once it reaches the south of Hungary, the River Tisza continues onto Serbia where it then joins the River Danube.

Where does the River Tisza meet the Danube?

The River Tisza joins the Danube in Serbia.

What Hungarian city is split by the River Danube?

Budapest, Hungary’s capital is split by the River Danube. The architecture along the river is very beautiful and there are many cruises long the Danube where you get a great view of Budapest.

What’s the ticket price for the Lake Tisza Ökocentrum?

The ticket price to the Lake Tisza Ökocentrum costs HUF 3,600 (USD 10). For students and people over 65, the ticket price is HUF 3,300 (USD 9).

Conclusion

Lake Tisza can be visited from Budapest as a day trip but if you want to explore more of Lake Tisza, there is a cycle trail around the lake.

Some of the popular villages along Lake Tisza include Kisköre, Poroszló, Abádszalók and Tiszafüred.

Some of the best things to do in Kisköre include chilling at the Kisköre Beach, visiting the Hallépcső, see the view of Lake Tisza from the Lábasház View Tower or cycle around Lake Tisza.