The natural endowments and beauty of the Tihany Peninsula are unique not only by Hungarian, but even by European standards. Lake Balaton itself is also unique, being a vast but at the same time extraordinarily shallow, and thus vulnerable lake. The Tihany Peninsula is the only one in the lake, its situation and size exercising a great influence on it. 

The geological past can be traced back to remarkable landscape features such as sediment banks, basalt tuff rocks, crater lakes and geyser cones. Because of its particular geology and climate, the peninsula contains a plethora of natural and cultural assets. 

The great diversity of geographical and climatic conditions has given rise to a rich wildlife: habitats range from extremely dry rock grasslands through dense woodlands to permanently wet areas, such as lakes, and the list of rare and protected species is remarkably long. 

Recognising the outstanding assets of the peninsula, the first Landscape Protection Area in Hungary was established here in 1952. The designation was justified by the beautiful scenery, the particular geological and geomorphological features, the diverse flora and fauna as well as the historical and cultural monuments. Today, it forms part of the Balaton Uplands National Park, established in 1997, integrating and completing the formerly separate landscape protection areas and nature conservation areas of the region.