Badacsony
10 reasons why you should visit Badacsony
Badacsony is a very special place to visit, not only because of its unique wine and gastronomy, but also because of its geography, geology, sights and the opportunities offered by Lake Balaton. It is mystical, captivating and energising, a place to which we long to return for a lifetime
1. Gastronomy
Badacsony and its surroundings are nowadays full of high-quality restaurants, but this was not always the case, to this day there are still many seasonal breweries open in the summer, but there are also restaurants open all year round. In addition to the recommendations of welovebalaton.hu, we have also collected our favorites, thanking them for their service and quality.
Our favorite restaurants in the area
1. Badacsonytomaj - Borbarátok
2. Zánka - Bamboo (Zen Garden)
3. Badacsonyörs - Váli borászat és étterem
3. Badacsony - Hableány
4. Badacsony - Laposa étterem
5. Badacsony - Tunkoló Tütü
6. Zánka - Neked Főztem
Our favorite pastry shops
- Badacsony - La Tene
- Mindszenkála - Kőfagyi
2. Local wineries
This is a very sensitive issue, especially in Badacsony. Now I note that we haven't tried every place yet (we're not totally alcoholics), but we have a couple of suggestions where we've been and had a great time. It is possible to go on a wine tour, i.e. to visit cellars or to taste in local wine bars, where the best wines of many cellars are selected.
I should note now that we haven't tried all the places (we're not total alcoholics), but we have one or two offers where we've been and had a great time.
Favorite wine cellars
- Badacsony - Éliás Birtok, that's why I put it at the beginning of the list, because we prefer small family wineries
- Badacsonyörs - Váli Pince, here you must try the kéknýelű
- Badacsony - Laposa, who occasionally spray with drones, but their wines are still sensational.
3. Hiking opportunities
You should know that we prefer family tours so that children can enjoy them as well. On the hiking trail starting up from Casa Mido, you can reach the crater of the Badacsony mountain in approx. 20-30 minutes walk. We almost always go uphill, because we don't like hiking on the Roman road that runs along the bottom of the mountain, although there are beautiful buildings in both directions, but it's a bit dangerous with children, especially in summer, there are a lot of cars on it, you have to pull over all the time. These are better used by bike. In addition to our favorite hiking trails, you can also find other hiking tips at kirandulatippek.hu.
Our favorite hiking trails are 3+1
- Kőkapu: From the edge of the Badacsony plateau, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the magical region of the Tapolcai basin bordered by witness hills. The Badacsony mountain was formed as a result of several volcanic eruptions, so its basalt mostly cooled in columns with vertical and horizontal separation, which is how the beautiful basalt columns visible on the edge of the mountain, the "stone bags", were formed, including one of the most beautiful, the Kőkapu. You can read more about Kőkapu on the nattorjáró.hu page.
- Bujdosók's stairs: Built in 1936, the 464-step staircase encircles the western side of Badacsony and is also part of the National Blue Tour. Huge basalt towers and debris slopes accompany our way along the staircase. It got its name on the occasion of the 1935 Rákóczi Memorial Year. Along the 464 steps, made of unworked basalt blocks, there are several resting places built of unworked basalt cubes. You can read more about the Bujdosók stairs on the nattorjáró.hu page
- Rózsakő: On the side of our highest witness mountain facing Lake Balaton, where the skirt of the mountain lies a piece of stone that had previously fallen from the block. Róza Szegedy and Sándor Kisfaludy once sat here. The love story of the poet and his muse inspired the locals as well, which is why they named the stone Rózsakő after Róza, and then immediately spun a legend around it. According to this, those lovers who sit on the stone holding hands with their backs to Lake Balaton will marry within a year. According to another interpretation, it is enough for a girl to sit down on the stone and sigh thinking of her beloved. you can read more about Rózsakő on the natturjáró.hu page
- Kisfaludy Lookout: It would be difficult to find a more ideal place for a lookout in the Balaton highlands than the highest point of Badacsony. From the top level, you can enjoy an almost all-round panorama and view a complete list of the most beautiful natural attractions in the area. In 2011, the only outstanding 438-meter peak of the Badacsony plateau (which bears the mountain's name) was added with an 18-meter observation tower. The steel structure is covered with a "cloth" made of pine, inside you can go up to the panoramic level via a spiral staircase. You can read more about the Kisfaludy lookout on the naturjórzó.hu website.
4. Bicycle tours in the area
There are different bike routes in the area, and I would still divide them into amateur and professional routes, because it doesn't matter whether we go on a mountain bike or a road bike. As an ironman, I prefer the country road in the Káli basin, but there are many options available for mountain riders as well, you can even ride inside the mountain if you are willing to carry the bike up the stairs on your shoulders. For those who don't like lankas, I recommend the Balaton bike tour, you can cycle to either Keszthely or Tihany in a couple of hours.
5. Horseback riding in the area
Few people know that there is an audience award-winning children's program in Badacsonytomaj, which was originally designed for the locals, but for a few years now, our children have been regularly spending at least 1 week of the summer season here. Both adults and children can ride at Marsmallowcamp upon registration, and they mainly deal with camping in the summer. This stable is a 5-minute drive from Casa Mido.
A little further away, but still within reach (approx. 15 minutes), is the stable of General Gyula. Since 1991, the riding stable located in Gyulakeszi has become a whole complex and can be visited all year round.
There is another demanding, family-oriented riding complex in Balatonederic, the Idrányi Puszta, which is not only famous for its riding camps, but a whole complex was formed here under the leadership of Péter Idrányi.
6. Sailing, boating from Badacsony
Not only does Badacsony have its own port, but you can also take a boat or water taxi to the other side of Fonyód in 30 minutes. You can also rent a boat in the port of Badacsony, but we can also help if needed, we also recommend local skippers, call us. We are happy to assist you with this on request.
7. Kaptalantót market
Káli pool - the Káptalantót market is a 5-minute drive from the house. Anyone who likes the atmosphere of the market, the artisan products of producers, should take a walk on Sunday morning and shop here, taste food, and then discover the thousands of beauties of the Káli pool: Hegyes-tű, Ingókövek, Dörgicse levendárium
8. Folly arboretum
The Arboretum, which is open all year round, is not simply one of many arboretums. It is not just a collection of special cedars and cypresses, but with the help of God, the dedicated work and perseverance of four generations. The Folly Arboretum is an ideal family vacation spot. The huge, natural, tree-shaded garden is a friend of families and small children, and a unique wooden playground promises fun and exciting recreation for children. it is worth looking around on the official website of the Folly Arborétum for seasonal offer
9. Szigliget Castle
The Szigliget Castle is not only a whole-day program with children, but also a unique program opportunity for those interested in history. It is worth reading the official website of Szigliget Castle. Next to the castle, there is also a Gastro Udvar, where if we get hungry, we can quench our hunger and thirst
10. Kali pool
I put it in the last place, but the beauty of the Káli pool is overwhelming, many program options await those who want to go on a trip, including animal farms, restaurants, wine bars. It is worth reading the recommendation of csodasmagyarorszag.hu before we leave, because we can go in many directions.
Have a good time in Badacsony! We look forward to seeing you but for the time being follow our social media platforms: facebook, or instagram and we will constantly send you feelings from Badacsony.
