Lavender—scent, style and a destination in one

With its century-old history, the Lavender House Visitor Centre in Tihany is one of the most famous event venues by Lake Balaton. Here, visitors can learn about the history of lavender through the interactive exhibition and workshops, explore the gift shop or café, and of course enjoy the atmosphere of the demonstration garden. And since you’re already looking at and smelling lavender, how could you resist tasting it as well? It’s only natural to give in to a lavender drink and dessert. If you’re worried about leaving the water in the scorching summer heat, rest assured—the Lavender House Visitor Centre offers excellent boat tours on Tihany’s Inner Lake. Finally, if you still haven’t had your fill of purple vistas, you can continue paying homage to the herb renowned for its essential oil just a few hills away in Dörgicse or on the southern shore in Kőröshegy.

While along the shores of Lake Balaton you can rest in a lavender field between two water activities, Pannonhalma offers a completely different experience—you visit here more as a pilgrimage for the refreshment of the soul. Get a direct glimpse of how the Benedictine abbey has worked with lavender as both a medicinal and useful plant for centuries and how the monks’ daily lives are shaped by the manufactory’s full production cycle! At the herb garden beds, you can learn all the ins and outs of lavender cultivation, while in the distillery, you’ll be guided through the process of making lavender oil. And if you’d like to take a little rest, you can sample one of the herbal teas or syrups at the Tea House, prepared according to the Archabbey’s 1735 recipe book.

If you happen to visit a lavender farm, don’t miss the chance to take some of this wonderful plant home with you. Not only does its appearance bring peace to the soul, but the essential oil extracted from it has calming, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Use it to care for your skin, soothe insect bites or even treat minor burns. Tossing and turning restlessly in bed? Take a pinch of dried lavender flowers and let its scent instantly ease your anxiety! Beyond Tihany and Pannonhalma, lavender enthusiasts harvest or celebrate early summer in Máriakálnok in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, as well as in several towns in the Zsámbék Basin near Budapest.