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Whether it is hiking, mountain climbing, sightseeing, or wine tasting – Lake Balaton offers visitors many activities in autumn as well, where everyone can find something to their liking among the numerous programs and events.
This year’s summer season has come to an end at Lake Balaton, but those who want to visit the “Hungarian sea” in autumn can also choose among numerous activities and programs.
The original article was written by our sister site, Ungarn Heute.
In preparation for the 52nd World Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Eucharistic Days with concerts, masses, processions, and boat trips will be held in Balatonfüred and Tihany on the lake’s north shore between September 3 and 4. Sports lovers will be able not only to watch the World Stand-up Paddling Championship along the Tagore Promenade between August 9 and 12, but also to personally participate in it as an amateur athlete in the open category. Culture lovers can join the “Romantic Reform Era” festival between September 24 and 26, where one can admire locals dressed in period costumes and taste dishes from the reform era.
For those who are looking for a real family program, the Pumpkin Festival on October 16 in neighboring Balatonalmádi is an ideal program: In addition to a craft market, visitors can create jack-o’-lanterns or taste various dishes made from pumpkin. In Siófok, on the southern bank, the Retro Festival will be held for the first time between September 17 and 19 at the boat station, with concerts, children’s programs, gastro experiences and various handicraft products. The event commemorates the 175th anniversary of Balaton boating.
In Keszthely, the capital of Lake Balaton West, the International Werkel Festival will take place between September 4 and 5, where lyre players from Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Poland will play music on the main square and in the pedestrian zone. But if you are more interested in dances, you can watch the Dance Panorama Festival between September 9 and 12, where the best dance groups of the country will present their productions. The city also offers a program for sports fans: namely, on September 19, one can participate in the running competition “The Kilometers of Keszthely”.
For those who want to taste the fine wines of Lake Balaton or experience a grape harvest festival, there are many excellent programs available! In Balatongyörök near Keszthely, between September 3 and 4, the Vintage Festival will be held together with a fish soup cooking competition, and on September 4 visitors can participate in the Vintage Festivals in neighboring Gyenesdiás and in Balatonszárszó on the south shore. Between September 10 and 12, the Vintage Days will take place in Tihany, but those who want to combine wine tasting with mountain climbing can do so on October 23 in Balatongyörök, and on October 6 in Badacsony.
Of course, you can not only participate in events and programs, but also spontaneously discover the surroundings of the lake: For gourmets, there are numerous quality restaurants around the Balaton, which are open all year round. You can find a list here. Hikers can choose between the Keszthely Mountains, Badacsony and Szent György Mountain, among others. In addition, the beautiful castles of Sümeg, Szigliget, and Rezi should be mentioned. The excellent Lake Balaton Cycle Route is of course also available for bicycle lovers in autumn, when a tour can also be combined with a visit to the wine cellars. Another special recreational activity is offered by visiting the 116-year-old Folly Arboretum in Badacsonyörs, which is still maintained by the fourth generation of the Folly family.
Around the lake, you can discover small villages that are visited by few people. In Halimba near Ajka you can see a herb garden and an “insect hotel”, in Sénye in the west you can find the “chimney chapel” and you can admire the beautiful view. In Balatonhenye near Tapolca there are beautiful farmhouses and an enchanting view of Lake Balaton. Kallósd is famous for its round church from the Árpád era, and Vindornyalak for its late baroque Hertelendy Curia.
Photos via Pixabay
