A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Balaton Lake vs. Maribor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Maribor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Maribor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Maribor?

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

Maribor

Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.

The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.

Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.

When comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Maribor, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Balaton Lake Expensive? and Is Maribor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Maribor?

Maribor has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Maribor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Balaton Lake or Maribor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Maribor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Maribor.

Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Maribor in the summer. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Maribor fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maribor this time of the year. In Balaton Lake, it's very sunny this time of the year. Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during summer. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Maribor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Maribor.

In the autumn, Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Maribor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Balaton Lake in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Maribor averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 133 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in October than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Maribor in the Winter?

Both Maribor and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Maribor in the winter. The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. In January, Balaton Lake is generally much colder than Maribor. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 0°C (32°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during winter. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Maribor in the Spring?

Both Maribor and Balaton Lake during the spring are popular places to visit.

Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Maribor in the spring. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 163 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in April than Maribor. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maribor and Balaton Lake