Sümeg Castle, Medieval fortress on Castle Hill near Lake Balaton, Hungary.

Sümeg Castle is a medieval fortress built on a hilltop overlooking the landscape near Lake Balaton. The structure features thick stone walls and towers that rise prominently from the surrounding terrain.

King Béla IV ordered this fortress built in the 13th century as a defense against Mongol raids. Later additions and reinforcements made the structure stronger and more capable of withstanding attacks.

Every summer the castle hosts costumed castle games that recreate the life of its former garrison. The name of the Kövess-bastion, a multi-storey cannon bastion built in 1553, recalls Bishop András Kövessy, who had it erected.

The castle stands on a lone hilltop above Sümeg, about 20 km north of Lake Balaton. The climb follows a steep path with stairs, so sturdy shoes help. The restored walls give a wide view over the surrounding countryside. The site is state-owned and was renovated under the National Castle Programme from 2016.

A second tower was added during the 15th century and offers a completely different viewpoint of the surroundings. From this vantage point, visitors can see much farther across the landscape around the lake.