With 5100 inhabitants, the town of Balatonlelle is one of the most important tourist centres on the south shore of Balaton, a true ville fleurie (flowered town). The history of the place stretches back to the time of St. Stephen, the first Hungarian king. Lelle became a market in 1848 and a town at the same time. Its time as a holiday resort began at the end of the 1880s with the development of its 5km long beach. In 1904 a bathing club was founded and from 1906 the areas of the town south of the railway line were laid out as parks thanks to its activities. The first big holiday establishments were built in 1924. In 1932-33 the harbour and ferry pier were constructed. Lelle today has a public beach 2 km long and a fee paying one 1km long. St. Stephens Square and the pedestrianised streets around it give out the ambience of a real holiday resort.