Hegymagas and the surrounding area
When we talked to the mayor of Hegymagas last year, we could already tell that the village had serious plans in terms of boosting tourism – the two-thousand-year-old cultural landscape, which is part of the Balaton Uplands National Park, is a given. No wonder that the little community is so appealing to backpackers thanks to such natural attractions as the basalt organs, but it’s not only hikers who will find it worth their while to climb up Szent György Hill, which is lined with family wine cellars of varying sizes.
Due to its exceptional microclimate, the hill has favorable conditions for growing 47 kinds of grapes, with the scale at Nyári Cellar and Szászi Cellar, which has added a restaurant this year, ranging from Welschriesling to Hárslevelű varieties. If you want to pack as much into your wine tour as possible, you should time your visit to coincide with Szent György Days, a comprehensive showcase of local wine culture. For several years now, Hegymagas has held a music fiesta called JAZZ Magas Festival to complement its extraordinary vintages, and the towship also has an artists’ colony that serves as a summer meeting place for painters. Once you've tasted everything there is to taste in Hegymagas, the fun is still not over.
Nearby Szigliget, which is a manageable bike ride away, offers several attractive activities like a visit to the castle’s interactive exhibition or a relaxing afternoon at Várkávézó Ice Cream Parlor, the café where they make one of the best ice creams around Balaton. For a delectable lunch, go to the local hangout of the Hungarian art world or to the beach to taste the bream of Oszi bácsi.
Csopak, Paloznak
These two townships have recently swung into high gear as well. Csopak dominates the gastro map of Balaton with this year’s newcomer Márga Bistro, Vígmolnár Csárda and Code Zero, the street food joint that opened last year by the marina. Sáfránkert Restaurant was launched earlier this year in Paloznak with a high-quality bistro cuisine similar to Márga. In addition to the food selection, the wines made in both villages are pretty spectacular too: you can sample Codex wines at Jásdi and Szent Donát in Csopak or Homola items in Paloznak.
Apart from the myriad of gastro adventures, both communities offer varied cultural entertainment in summer: Paloznak attracts music lovers with its regularly held Jazz Picnic, while the Hello Wood team always returns to Csopak for its annual crafts workshop. Hikes in the area can be quite versatile as well thanks to the local vineyard tours and the stunning Balaton panorama. Paloznak’s beautifully maintained village center is in bloom from spring to fall, so you can feast your eyes on the lovely flowers as you stroll through the streets.
Pécsely, Vászoly
We’re almost in the Káli Basin, but not quite. There aren’t many roads around Balaton that are more romantic than the one leading to Vászoly: it’s lined with blossoming fields in summer, and yellowing trees in the fall. When you arrive in Vászoly, park you car and continue the journey on foot, wandering past the village’s several-hundred-year-old houses. Tucked away among the undulating hills north of Balaton, the tiny village is a hot destination for those looking to purchase their own summer residence, not least because of its inviting natural surroundings. It’s an ideal spot for taking a break from your everyday life or getting some much needed exercise. Launched this year, Vászolyi Cheese Manufactury produces divine cheeses with exciting flavor combinations – their products are available in a number of great restaurants around Balaton, but if you ever find yourself in Vászoly, make sure to drop by to purchase their goodies on the spot. For other savory local delights, head to Vászoly Local Farmers' Market.
