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Lake Balaton home-based tour

A delightful experience besides the Hungarian Sea

Route

Tour profile: Level 1-2

Well-developed asphalted cycle path around the lake, on several stages country roads with very little traffic. There are some hilly parts on the north coast of the lake. Also very suitable for families.

Day 1: Siófok

Arrival in Siófok and check in at the Premium Hotel Panorama. Siófok is a well-known and lively resort which in summer attracts throngs of foreign and Hungarian tourists who come to enjoy the lake. The town has two large beaches, the Silver Beach, which is popular with families and the Golden Beach, which is a magnet for the younger generation. Siófok has all the amenities you need for a comfortable holiday: Shops, cafés, restaurants etc.

Day 2: Tihany Peninsula and the Spa Resort of Balatonfüred, approx. 55 km

Ride along the southern shore to Szántód, where the only ferry service across Lake Balaton operates. Cross the lake to the northern shore and disembark in Tihany, where the monastery and the church on the northern peninsula offer an unforgettable panoramic view over the entire lake. Enjoy the sweeping view over Europe’s largest freshwater lake from this vantage point on high. Continue to Balatonfüred. Treat yourself to a coffee on the Tagore Promenade which is almost one kilometre long, before taking the same route home via Tihany and the ferry to Siófok.

Day 3: The flat southern shore of Lake Balaton, approx. 45 km

The day begins with a train ride to Fonyód from where you cycle back along the flat southern shore to Siófok. The southern side of the lake, which has a well-developed network of cycle paths and routes through villages close to the lake, is very popular with cyclists. It also provides an ideal opportunity to sample one of the delicious locally-produced wines in Balatonboglár or take a refreshing dip at one of the public beaches. A pleasant day’s cycling through the villages dotting the southern shore.

Day 4: The northern shore of Lake Balaton and the wine-growing area of Badacsony, approx. 60 km

An Begin the day again with another train ride heading west, transfer to the boat in Fonyód to cross the lake to Badacsony. The small village of Badacsonytomaj is located in the heart of the one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Hungary. There are plenty of wine cellars to visit and perhaps the most idyllic place to while away, sometime is the terrace of the Villa Kisfaludy on the upper slope of the basalt cone of the Badacsony mountain. In good weather, you can see far beyond the almost 80-km-long Lake Balaton. Cycle back along the northernshore through hamlets and villages to Tihany, where you take the ferry and return to the southern shore of the lake after an action-packed day.

Day 5: Round Trip to the third-largest Lake in Hungary (Lake Velence), approx. 50 km

Today, you’ll be going northwards to the lovely old coronation city of Székesfehérvár. Take the train from Siófok to Székesfehérvár, and explore the charming baroque city centre, strolling past monuments such as the cathedral and the Garden of Ruins. Then it’s time to begin your cycle tour to Lake Velence, Hungary’s second-most popular lake after Lake Balaton. Ride around the lake before taking the train back to your hotel.

Day 6: The Delightful Western Shore of Lake Balaton, approx. 57 km

Today it’s time to become acquainted with the western area of Lake Balaton. Take the train from Badacsony and then continue on toward Keszthely by bike. In Szigliget you might want to make a detour to the ruins of a medieval castle perched at the top of a 239-metre-high hill. In fact, Szigliget is one of the most charming villages on Lake Balaton and is very popular with both holidaymakers and second-home owners who appreciate its tranquillity and location on a peninsula. From there, it’s not far to Keszthely, the lake’s western capital. The magnificent baroque palace, built by the Festetics family, is the third-largest palace in Hungary. Set amidst a beautiful park in the centre of town it is definitely worth visiting. From Keszthely, your tour takes you south through idyllic villages with many weekend houses to Fonyód, where you can take the train back to Siófok if you wish.

Day 7: Siófok

Individual homeward travel or extension.

In season 3 minimum duration 8 days/7 nights. The following tour can be undertaken by bike:

Day 8: Round trip from Siófok, approx. 30 km

Today, it’s time to leave the shores of the lake and explore the hinterland to the south of Siófok. The first destination is Szántód, where you can admire a unique ensemble of listed buildings at a dairy dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries (admission not included). The perfect place to gain an insight into the visual arts, cultural history and folk art of Hungary and the region. On the way home, stop off at the Kohegy observation tower, where there is a wonderful view of the northern shore with its volcanic hills and the Somogy hills to the south. Relish the rural idyll with simple, secluded villages in a region that is popular with hunters who seek the tranquillity to be found here. After a short loop, you return to Siófok.

Services

Included Services

· 6 / 7 nights (main season) in rooms with shower and WC

· Breakfast or 6 or 7x half board surcharge

· 1x ferry Szántod-Tihany

· 2 x ferry Tihany-Szántod

· 3 x train Siófok-Fonyód

· 2 x boat Fonyód–Badacsonytomaj

· 1 x train Siófok- Székesfehérvár und retour

· 1 x train Fonyód-Siófok

· Service-Hotline (also accessible on weekends)

· Map and information material per room

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Discounts additional bed in double room with 2 full paying adults
    0 to 5,99 years flate rate  Euro 100
      (B&B or half board)
    6 to 13,99 years -50% of the holiday price*
    *Halbo. (S1+S2): Euro 55 *Halfbo. (S3): Euro 65
     
    Bikes & equipment
    24-speed-bike 72
    E-Bike 159
    Children´s bike and children´s accessories on request
       
    Extra nights in Hotel Panorama Siofok
    S1 (DBL/SGL) 49/75
    S2 (DBL/SGL) 59/88
    S3 (DBL/SGL) 71/113
    Halfboard surcharge 15
    Local taxes : 1,50 € / person/ night (from 18 y) payment on site 

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel Panorama Premium ****

    The lakeside Hotel has 148 Standard category roomsand 8 family rooms. The restaurant in a stylishcontemporary design offers a varied buffet of tasty localand international dishes. For active recreation and some luxury pampering, the hotel has access to the lakeside beach and a spa centre with the following amenities:indoor swimming pool, sauna world with Finnish sauna,sanarium, infra-red sauna with light therapy, massageshowers, grotto, steam cabin and an ice fountain. The new outdoor swimming pool and children’s pool in therecently redesigned garden can also be used in summer

    The lakeside hotel is located just a few steps from the beaches in one of the most popular areas of Siofok. 140 modern rooms are equipped with air conditioning, minibar, safe and bathroom with tub. You can find relaxation and recreation in the well-kept outdoor area with adjoining beach or in the numerous wellness facilities, such as indoor pool, sauna world with Finnish sauna, sanarium, infrared sauna with light therapy, adventure shower, cave adventure pool, steam cabin and ice fountain indoor area. The sophisticated and modernly furnished restaurant of the Premium Hotel serves you a rich buffet with a wide range of Hungarian and international dishes. In the coffee bar and on the terrace you can get refreshing drinks and special cocktails.

    Bicycle

    Bikes incl. panniers

    The following bikes are available:

    • High quality trekking bikes with 24-speed Shimano gearshift, light aluminium frame and front suspension. (Ladies-, gents- and kids frames available)
    • E-Bikes 

    Light, luggage rack, panniers, repair kit, pump and spare tube are included.


    E-bikes | Pedelcs

    With an E-bike every bike tour is a breeze! If you had few opportunities to cycle over the last weeks or if you are not sure concerning your fitness, but also with physical disabilities, every bike ride is a treat! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern electro bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times ... So you can now book a bike tour together with cyclists who have different fitness level. Acclivity can be handled easily.

    Note: E-bikes are a great development, but should be - due to their driving characteristics (high weight + high speed) - booked only by very safe and experienced cyclists with a very good sense of balance. Not suitable are electric bikes for people who rarely ride a bicycle

    Useful

    ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE

    ARRIVAL BY PLANE

    Airport: Budapest (BUD)
    It’s very easy to get to Budapest by plane - several low-cost airlines and also the national airline have great offers and services.

    Budapest International Airport is sixteen kilometres south-east of downtown Budapest. From the Ferihegy Terminal 2A is within the Schengen borders, Terminal B to countries outside the Schengen Convention depart airplanes.

    Transfer: Airport Budapest - Hotel (140 Km)  Siofok Taxi  -


    ARRIVAL BY CAR
    GPS: N 46.916635, E 18.068987

    (compulsory vignette for cars)

    You can reach the Prémium Hotel Panorama**** by following these instructions:

    You must leave the highway at Siófok-Kelet (Sóstó) onto the Road 70. After about 1,5 miles you have to turn right at the petrol station, throuh the rails. (There is a square with a church here.) At the end of the street you have to turn left, and then at Garay street right again and then the first street left, where you will reach Beszédes street, the street of the Hotel.
     

    Parking: Euro 4 /night on the hotel premises (recommended)


    ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

    Train station: Siófok

    Dailiy connections via Budapest (Kelenföld and Deli station).

    In Siófok we recommend you to take a taxi to the hotel. (1,7 km)


    PARTICIPANTS

    Minimum participants: 1 person


    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    In Hungary it is mandatory to wear safety vests at bad light and sight outside of villages, but there is no obligation to wear a helmet.

     

    Videos

    Travel stories

    4,9 of 6 Stars | 3
    4.2 06.10.2019 | Janice S. Lake Balaton home-based tour

    A scenic area for 4 days of riding

    Although we enjoyed this trip, we felt the scenery wasn?t different enough to warrant a 5 day trip, 4 would have been enough as it just seemed to be more of the same on some days. We had beautiful weather and whenever we used the train, people were very ...
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 3
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 5
    • Accomodation 4
    • Board 4
    • Route description 3
    • Route-character 3
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    load more travel stories

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