Bike Tour on Lake Balaton in Hungary.

Bike Tour on Lake Balaton in Hungary.

Bike & Wine in Hungary Bike Tour

Hungary Bike Tours

Bike Hungary through Balaton Uplands National Park

  • Bike and wine in Hungary? Yes! The Balaton Uplands National Park is one of the youngest national parks in Hungary. However, its rich history dates back thousands of years to when the Romans planted the first vineyards and the ancient Hungarians founded the first villages. These beautiful, historic vineyards, sandy beaches, and the beauty of Balaton National Park make this a very unique tour. On a bike, you are transformed from a tourist, to an active participant in your surroundings.

    HIghights:

    • Combining biking, wine, culture, history, and ecotourism
    • Full bodied local wines
    • Good 3 and 4 star accommodations according to booked category many with wellness facitlities
    • Balaton Uplands National Park

    This tour allows you to choose between self-guided or guided.

    You can also customize, so please ask.

    Be sure to check out our full list of bike tours in Hungary.

  • Self-Guided

    Category A: $ 2171 £ 1075 $ 1,877 € 1175 $ 2216 kr 13245 $ 1,339 4-star facilities as much as possible. If the hotel is rated 3-star, you are accommodated in upgraded rooms

    Single supplement: $ 517 £ 256 $ 447 € 280 $ 528 kr 3156 $ 319

    Category B: $ 1977 £ 979 $ 1,709 € 1070 $ 2018 kr 12062 $ 1,219 Category B: 3 and 4-star hotels

    Single supplement: $ 462 £ 229 $ 399 € 250 $ 472 kr 2818 $ 285

    Please note the slightly different itinerary between the two options.

    Guided 

    Only offered in Category A accommodations

    Category A:  $ 2790 £ 1381 $ 2,412 € 1510 $ 2848 kr 17022 $ 1,720

    Single Supplement: $ 517 £ 256 $ 447 € 280 $ 528 kr 3156 $ 319

    extra options

    E-bike: $ 268 £ 133 $ 232 € 145 $ 273 kr 1635 $ 165

    Extra night(s):
    Veszprém: On request
    Budapest: On request

    Airport transfers:
    From/to  Budapest airport or from/to any hotel in Budapest  to Veszprém:
    One way, group price, sharing costs, valid for up to 8 ppl: $ 305 £ 151 $ 264 € 165 $ 311 kr 1860 $ 188 Roundtrip, group price, sharing costs, valid for up to 8 ppl:: $ 536 £ 265 $ 463 € 290 $ 547 kr 3269 $ 330

    Budapest dinner cruise: On request

     

    please note

    Rates are per person based on double occupancy.

    A non-refundable admin fee of 20 Euros per person is included in the deposit amount.

    Information to read before you book.

    We recommend purchasing bike trip insurance.

    Please see our FAQ.

  • Travel

    Fly to Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport

    Local Travel

    We recommend booking the transfers available due to public transportation costs, complicity, and travel time.

    From the airport, it is best to catch a taxi if you are staying overnight in Budapest. There are fixed fares approximately 5000 HUF / person. It takes 20 minutes to reach Budapest central. First take the bus to the metro station Kőbánya/Kispest and there go to city central. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes to city central.

    Helpful link from the airport to the city central:

    http://www.bud.hu/english/passengers/transport_and_parking/by_public_transport

    From Budapest you can reach the starting city (Veszprém) by train or bus, but it is a bit complicated. By train go to Déli Pu. (South railway station) and from there to Veszprém. For bus go to Népliget (central bus station) and from there to Veszprém. We do recommend booking organized transfers.

    Useful link for train travel: http://www.mav.hu/english/index.php

    Useful link for bus travel: http://www.volanbusz.hu/en/

    Climate

    Check local conditions prior to departure. Average high/low temperature for the area: April 60/41º, May 70/51º, June 75/56º, July 79/59º, August 79/59º, September 71/52º, and October 59/43º.

    Remarks

    Free WiFi is included in the hotels

    DOCUMENTS

    Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.

    *Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.

Tour Dates

2020

Self Guided: Daily from April 1 to September 30, 2020
Minimum number of participants: 2
Guided:   Only available in Category A hotels and itinerary. We can organize a guided tour on request based on availability.
Generally, the minimum number of participants is 8 but please do not hesitate to contact us if your group is less than 8.

Skill Level

This tour is rated as easy to moderate and can be guided or self-guided. Hungary is a rather flat country with some hilly areas. The highest point is about 1000 m. Hills higher than about 200 m are locally referred to as mountains! Your route is mainly flat but you will encounter some hills, where longer downhills outnumber short uphills. You will cycle on designated bike paths (asphalt) for 40%, low traffic bicycle-friendly roads (asphalt), 50%, and some good quality dirt roads, 5 %. Only about 5% of this tour would be on shared roads with traffic. Average daily distance is 25 miles.

Where You’ll Stay

Two categories are offered on this tour. Both categories feature small family-owned hotels. The location of each overnight is carefully chosen, either close to the centers of the towns, close to the lake, or in quiet charming villages, close to nature. On each day’s details, you will find that the preferred hotel is indicated. Please note that final hotel list will be based on availability. If preferred hotel is not possible, you will be offered an alternative of equal standard.
Category A: 4-star facilities as much as possible. If the hotel is rated 3-star, you are accommodated in upgraded rooms.
Category B: 3 and 4-star hotels
As well note the slightly different itineraries for each category.

What’s Included

  • Category A self guided
  • Self-guided:
  • 7 nights accommodation mainly in 4-star hotels (1 night in a 3-star hotel)
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 gourmet dinners (3 courses), with excellent wines (unlimited wine consumption)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Service hotline
  • High-quality hybrid Merida, Giant, or Altrix bikes with 24 gears, front suspension, light aluminum frame
  • Helmets, water bottle, front bag, mudguards, rear rack, panniers, lights
  • Maps
  • Detailed GPS navigation and road book (tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops and recommended restaurants)
  • Free WiFi in hotels
  • Category A guided
  • 7 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels (1 night in a 3 star hotel), with familiar atmosphere, high quality and superb surroundings.
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 7 gourmet dinners (3 course) with excellent wines (unlimited wine consumption)
  • 6 wine tastings
  • Two cycling guides
  • Support vehicle
  • Luggage transfer, full technical service and a trailer for the bicycles
  • High-quality hybrid Merida, Giant, Altrix bikes with 24 gears, front suspension, light aluminum frame
  • Helmets, water bottle, front bag, mudguards, rear rack, panniers, lights
  • Maps
  • Detailed road book in English (tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops and recommended restaurants)
  • All entrance fees as mentioned in guided
  • Free WiFi in hotels
  • Bus transfer from/ to the airport is included in the price
  • Category B self guided
  • 7 nights accommodation in 3-4-star hotels and charming country inns
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 gourmet dinners (3 courses) with excellent wines (unlimited wine consumption)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Service hotline
  • High-quality hybrid Merida, Giant, or Altrix bikes with 24 gears, front suspension, light aluminum frame
  • Helmets, water bottle, front bag, mudguards, rear rack, panniers, lights
  • Maps
  • GPS with detailed navigation and roadbook (tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops and recommended restaurants)
  • Free WiFi in hotels

What’s Not Included

Bike & Wine in Hungary Map

TourBike
TypeBoth
SkillEasy–Moderate
Length8 days
From€1175 Rates
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Day-To-Day Itinerary

Bike & Wine in Hungary Map

CATEGORY A 

Day 1: Veszprém
Day 2: Veszprém - Balatonfüred, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 3: Balatonfüred - Tótvázsony, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 4: Tótvázsony - Badacsony, 30 mi. (49 km)
Day 5: Badacsony - Szigliget - Badacsony, 17 or 26 mi. (27 km or 43 km)
Day 6: Badacsony - Balatonfüred, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Balatonfüred - Veszprém, 21 mi. (34 km)
Day 8: Departure

*All distances are approximate. 

Day 1: Veszprém
The first day of this cycling vacation begins in Veszprém. This city is often called the "City of Queens", because Hungary's first queen, Gisel, and every Hungarian queen after her was crowned here. After settling into your room, you are free to explore the city. Take some time to enjoy the historical and the unique places of Veszprém before beginning the first day of cycling.

Accommodation: Oliva Hotel, a small but superb quality inn in the middle of the old town with an excellent restaurant with a lovely Mediterranean atmosphere.
Optional services: Sauna, massage, and jacuzzi at your accommodation.

Day 2: Veszprém - Balatonfüred, 23 mi. (38 km)
After breakfast, you will begin to cycle to Lake Balaton. The beautiful landscape, charming villages, and the beautiful scenery surrounding Lake Balaton is a picturesque sight. You will cycle this pike path until you reach Balatonfüred. The route changes to an old Roman road that follows the coastline. Along the route, grape fields which were planted in the Roman times, are visible. Today's route will end in Balatonfüred, the capital of lake Balaton, a city known for its history, culture, wine, and hospitality.

Accommodation: Anna Grand Wine and Vital Hotel, located on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton in the middle of the historic district and the small forest.
Optional services: Pool, jacuzzi, steam chamber, Finnish/infra sauna, massage, beauty treatments at your accommodation.

Day 3: Balatonfüred - Tótvázsony, 20 mi. (32 km)
You begin cycling to the city center of Tihany where the whole day could be spent sightseeing. Visit the 950 years old Benedict Abbey which was built at the top of the extinct volcano. From the top, the view reaches to the middle of the peninsula, the old caldera, and the Inner lake. After the sights of Tihany, cycle to Koczor Winecellar for lunch and winetasting. Climb up to Tótvázsony at the end of the day.

Accommodation: Bakony Hotel,  located in a small village at the feet of Bakony mountain. The rooms are very large and cozy and the food is homemade.
Optional services: Jacuzzi, sauna, massage at your accommodation.

Day 4: Tótvázsony - Badacsony, 30 mi. (49 km)
Cycle across the land of extinct volcanos in the heart of the Balaton Uplands National Park. Today you'll ride along hidden roads which go through charming little villages like Köveskál, Szentantalfa, Óbudavár. Lunch & wine tasting at the excellent Gergely Winecellar. After lunch, you'll continue on until reaching the old wine region, Badacsony.

Accommodation: Hotel Neptun, Family owned small hotel with outstanding food and wine at the foot of Badacsony Mountain.
Optional services: Jacuzzi, sauna, massage at your accommodation.

Day 5: Badacsony - Szigliget - Badacsony, 17 or 26 mi. (27 km or 43 km)
On this day, visit the Szegedy Róza House and Museum in Badacsony, in which you can see how people lived in the XIX. Century in this area. After this visit, use the Roman way and the Balaton cycle road to reach Szigliget. In Szigliget, visit the 250 years old Eszterházy Wine museum and climb up to the Castle which was used in the Türkish war in XVI Century.

Accommodation: Hotel Neptun, Family owned small hotel with outstanding food and wine at the foot of Badacsony Mountain.
Optional services: Jacuzzi, sauna, massage at your accommodation.

Day 6: Badacsony - Balatonfüred, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you'll follow the bicycle road which goes along the coast. There are multiple opportunities to stop for a swim. A cold beer or ice cream helps you press as you pedal closer to Balatonfüred. The picnic lunch is again a homemade Hungarian dish by chef Joseph at Wineflowers Winecellar. The whole day is about cycling, sunshine, and the lake.

Accommodation: Anna Grand Wine and Vital Hotel, located on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton in the middle of the historic district and the small forest.
Optional services: Pool, jacuzzi, steam chamber, Finnish/infra sauna, massage, beauty treatments at your accommodation.

Day 7: Balatonfüred - Veszprém, 21 mi. (34 km)
On the last cycling day, you use the Balaton cycling road which leads next to the coastline. You will have the opportunity to stop as many times as you wish for a refreshing swim or an ice cream. Cycle along the embankment from Balatonalmádi and take in one last view of the lake before turning in the direction of Veszprém. This day is an ideal cool down after the whole bike tour. After arriving in Veszprém you can explore or do a little shopping.

Accommodation: Oliva Hotel, a small but superb quality inn in the middle of the old town with an excellent restaurant with a lovely Mediterranean atmosphere.
Optional services: Sauna, massage, and jacuzzi at your accommodation. 

Day 8: Departure
Your cycling tour ends after breakfast. 

CATEGORY B 

Day 1: Veszprém
Day 2: Veszprém - Balatonfüred, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 3: Balatonfüred - Badascony,  31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Badascony - Szentantalfa, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 5: Szentantalfa - Tótvázsony, 22 mi. (36 km) 
Day 6: Tótvázsony - Balatonfüred, 31 mi. (39 km)
Day 7: Balatonfüred - Veszprém, 23 mi. (34 km)
Day 8: Departure

*All distances are approximate. 

Day 1: Veszprém
Your first day starts in Veszprém in the City of Queens. The accommodation is in a relaxing place near the Castle and the Old Town. After a refreshing shower, take your camera and discover the Saint Michael Chapel which is famous because of Queen Gisel. After her, every Hungarian queen were crowned here. Enjoy the historic places and the unique atmosphere of Veszprém and discover this lovely town before the first cycling day.

Accommodation: Oliva Hotel, a small but superb quality inn in the middle of the old town with an excellent restaurant with a lovely Mediterranean atmosphere.
Optional services: Sauna, massage, and jacuzzi at your accommodation.

Day 2: Veszprém - Balatonfüred, 23 mi. (38 km)
After breakfast, your cycling begins in direction of Lake Balaton. This day is a special one because this is your introduction to the idyllic landscape, the charming villages, and the lake. Until Balatonalmádi, you will cycle on a dedicated bike path. Afterward, you cycle the old Roman road which follows the coastline. Vineyards dot the landscape. The accommodation will be in Balatonfüred the capital of Lake Balaton. The most common words used to describe this city are history, culture, wine, and hospitality.

Accommodation: Anna Grand Wine and Vital Hotel, located on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton in the middle of the historic district and the small forest.
Optional services: Pool, jacuzzi, steam chamber, Finnish/infra sauna, massage, beauty treatments at your accommodation.

Day 3: Balatonfüred - Badascony,  31 mi. (50 km)
You continue to follow the coastline westerly, again on a dedicated bike path. You can stop for a swim almost anywhere. This day is about nature, sunshine, and water. The accommodation will be in Badacsony in a charming pension at the foot of Mt. Badacsony. This wine area is the oldest in Hungary and the wines are excellent with the local meals.

Accommodation: Hotel Neptun, Family owned small hotel with outstanding food and wine at the foot of Badacsony Mountain.
Optional services: Jacuzzi, sauna, massage at your accommodation.

Day 4: Badascony - Szentantalfa, 19 mi. (30 km)
On this day you visit Szegedy Róza House and Museum in which you can see how people lived in the XIX. Century in this area. Afterward,  you follow the  Roman way and the Balaton cycle road to reach Szigliget. In Szigliget you visit the 250 years old Eszterházy Winemuseum and climb up to the Castle which was used in the türkish war in XVI. Century. From here you pedal across the land of extinct volcanos which are in the heart of the Balaton Uplands National Park. You will cycle through the oldest Hungarian villages and your accommodation will be in an authentic village in Szentantalfa.

Accommodation: Szentantalfa Gergely Winery and Inn, a tiny inn perched on Balázs Mountain. The treasure of this establishment is its innocence and native beauty.
 

Day 5: Szentantalfa - Tótvázsony, 22 mi. (36 km) 
Following remote and quiet roads, the route leads through charming little villages like Köveskál, Szentantalfa, Óbudavár. You discover the beauty of Balaton Uplands National Park and the idyllic landscapes dotted with vineyards.  You go through the Nivegy valley wine area which played an important role in wine export in the Roman times. You end your day in a quiet hotel in Tótvázsony at the foot of Bakony mountain.

Accommodation: Bakony Hotel,  located in a small village at the feet of Bakony mountain. The rooms are very large and cozy and the food is homemade.

Day 6: Tótvázsony - Balatonfüred, 31 mi. (39 km)
You descend to Pécsely and Aszófő to reach the city center of Tihany. You visit the 950 years old Benedict Abbey which was built on top of an extinct volcano. From here you can enjoy the view down to the middle of the peninsula to the old caldera and the inner lake. After the sights of Tihany, the route leads to  Koczor Winecellar for a picnic lunch and wine tasting. After lunch, the accommodation in Balatonfüred is just 25 minutes away.

Accommodation: Anna Grand Wine and Vital Hotel
Optional services: Pool, jacuzzi, steam chamber, Finnish/infra sauna, massage, beauty treatments at your accommodation

Day 7: Balatonfüred - Veszprém, 21 mi. (34 km)
On the last cycling day, you use the Balaton cycling road which leads next to the coastline. You will have the opportunity to stop as many times as you wish for a refreshing swim or an ice cream. Cycle along the embankment from Balatonalmádi and take in one last view of the lake before turning in the direction of Veszprém. This day is an ideal cool down after the whole bike tour. After arriving in Veszprém you can explore or do a little shopping. 

Accommodation: 3 * Oliva Hotel, a small but superb quality inn in the middle of the old town with an excellent restaurant with a lovely Mediterranean atmosphere.

Optional services: Sauna, massage, and jacuzzi at your accommodations

Day 8: Departure

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGES BASED ON HOTEL AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION.

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