Badacsony: Special home to breathtaking panoramas and diverse attractions

There is such a rich variety of natural treasures in Badacsony that according to legend, giants once played here with cubes, hills and cones, and then suddenly had to leave and they left their toys behind. Our ancestors soon discovered that this place was perfectly suitable for vine-growing. According to some sources, the Celts planted grapes on the hillside in the 4th century BC, and the Romans also cultivated this fruit in the Upper Balaton, a place that very much resembled their Mediterranean homeland. As the conquerors succeeded one another, all of them enjoyed wine. So the vine-growing cultures inherited from the distant past have been fortunately preserved and we can still enjoy the unique taste of local wines.

If you’re taking a pleasant excursion to Badacsony, make sure you don't miss these attractions:

• the Kisfaludy look-out station offers a spectacular panorama of Lake Balaton and the surrounding mountains;
• the monument named after the sub-prefect Károly Hertelendy, offering a view of the Tomaj bay and Örs Mountain;
• the Kő Gate, consisting of giant basalt towers created through the erosion of natural forces and the surrounding rock stream;
• the Rodostó chalet built in 1936 in memory of Ferenc Rákóczi and his hiding partner, leading a fight for freedom against the Habsburgs;
• the Tördemic look-out station offers a view of the basalt organ pipes in the side of Saint George Mountain and ruins of the Szigliget castle;
• the Ranolder Cross raised by Bishop János Ranolder on the southern edge of the mountain’s plateau;
• the Saint Donatus chapel built in the 19th century in a Neo-Gothic style;
• the thatched roof house of the Hungarian poet Sándor Kisfaludy;
• the press-house of the poet’s wife, Róza Szegedi, which now accommodates the Sándor Kisfaludy and Róza Szegedy Literary Memorial Museum;
• the local historical and ethnographic collection of the Rural Heritage Building.

Badacsony is not only a great destination for nature lovers, but also for wine enthusiasts. The proximity of Lake Balaton to the mountain has a very positive effect on its climate, supporting a flourishing wine-growing culture spanning thousands of years. Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot gris, Kéknyelű, Zeus – whichever type of wine you prefer, you can be certain to taste some unique wines in Badacsony.

One thing is certain: we could go on and on about the things to see in Badacsony. There are, however, a few more places there you may find worth visiting:

• Tour the Folly Arboretum in Badacsonyörs and enjoy the fresh air among cypress and cedar trees that are several centuries old!
• Take a walk up to the ruins of the Szigliget castle and you will not be disappointed by the panorama. Do you know that this is the only castle by Lake Balaton that was destroyed by a lightning strike?
• Meet some indigenous Hungarian domestic animals at the Salföld Manor! It’s a great program for kids but adults are also able to find things of interest there.
• Visit the Hegyestű (Needlepoint) in Monoszló where a 50-metre-high mine wall reveals secrets of volcanic rock!