By train to the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Exciting one-day destinations by public transport

Table of contents:

· Sights of Révfülöp on the shore of Lake Balaton

· Ábrahámhegy: bathing and an excursion to the Folly Arboretum

· Sights and wineries of Badacsony

· Tapolca – Lake Cave, Malom Lake and other experiences

Révfülöp is one of the gems of the northern shore of Lake Balaton: a place where you can find proximity to nature, waterfront experiences and the hustle and bustle of Lake Balaton. It is no coincidence that the Lidl Balaton Swim starts here every year. The town's family-friendly beaches and shallow shores are not only ideal for trying out water sports, but also for a whole day of bathing.

The waterfront promenade, the pier and its surroundings are charming spots in Révfülöp: it is worth spending some time here at sunset. Just a few minutes from the railway station is the Móló Cukrászda, where you can enjoy delicious ice-cream and pastries alongside the Balaton atmosphere – the perfect stop at the end of a day at the beach.

For those who would rather look around from above, we recommend the Millennium Lookout Tower. The panoramic viewpoint, which can be reached by an easy hike, offers views of Lake Balaton, the edge of the Káli Basin and the surrounding monadnocks – a real reward for the walk. Révfülöp is also a great starting point for further excursions: hiking trails lead from here to the villages and vineyards of the Káli Basin.

Lovers of gastronomy and wine will not be left without experiences either. In and around the village, you can get to know the wines of the Badacsony wine region. You can stop by the Mákvirág Wine House-Restaurant, which is open all year round, at any time for a glass of wine and a hearty, home-style meal. Révfülöp is a Balaton resort that is easy to get to and hard to leave!

From the train station, it is only a short, pleasant walk to the family-friendly, well-organized Ábrahámhegy beach, which is an ideal place to spend a relaxing day. It is surrounded by shady trees and picnic areas, so you can easily immerse yourself in summer relaxation. Thanks to the playground and waterfront buffets on the beach, you can organize comfortable family activities here.

If you are looking for a more active experience, it is worth climbing up to the nearby Bökk-hegy lookout tower, which offers a beautiful panorama of Lake Balaton and the surrounding countryside. The tour can be comfortably continued towards the Folly Arboretum, one of the most unique botanical collections in the Balaton Uplands. The arboretum has a history dating back more than a hundred years and is primarily famous for its evergreens: cedars, cypresses, pines, and rare Mediterranean tree species line the well-kept gardens.

There is also a winery, restaurant and café on the premises of the arboretum, so you can reward yourself with a glass of wine or a light lunch at the end of the walk. The view of Lake Balaton and the monadnocks from the terrace is a popular photo spot. From here, it is only a short walk to the Badacsonyörs railway station, where you can comfortably continue – or end – your train journey.

Next stop: Badacsony. As soon as you get off the train, you can feel that you are in the right place: on one side, the lake and the bustle along the shore; on the other, the sight of basalt organs and the captivating image of vineyards clinging to the hillside entice visitors.

The great thing about Badacsony is that almost everything is within walking distance, although most of the sights are to be found in the direction of the mountain. Don't rush! From the terraces of the wineries lining the gentle slopes, you can not only enjoy the stunning panorama, but also taste the best wines of the region. On the way, it's worth stopping by the Istvándy Winery or Hinta Badacsony, where you can enjoy bread and dripping alongside the best wines. The Frissterasz Wine Bar and the Éliás Estate are also great choices if you want to discover local flavours. The terrace of the Laposa Estate is not only recommended for wine lovers! Here you can learn what made Kéknyelű the iconic wine of Badacsony.

A hike in the Badacsony mountains is also an exciting adventure: the Egry József lookout tower offers a wonderful view of the lake, while on the paths leading to the Tördemici lookout you can learn about the volcanic past of the monadnock. Along the basalt columns, stone streams, and steep cliffs, you can see the volcanic remains of Badacsony, which are millions of years old.

In Badacsony, it is easy to find a balance between active exploration and the leisurely pace of Lake Balaton. If you arrive by train, it's even better, as you can relax and surrender to the magic of the place.

Although Tapolca is not located directly on the shore of Lake Balaton, it is a great choice for a day trip in the area. A short walk from the railway station takes you to the centre of the town, where you can visit the unique Tapolca Lake Cave.

This mysterious underground world is one of Hungary's true natural wonders. The cave was discovered in 1903 during well digging and opened to visitors around 1910 – it was the first cave in Hungary to be developed for tourism, complete with electric lighting. In the reception building, a special exhibition guides you through the secrets of the karst region: stalactites, bats, the world of divers and the living art of nature come to life before your eyes, and then you can continue your exploration in the screening room. The adventure only begins then: 73 steps take you down into the depths of the cave, where you can board a boat and row through the underground passages on crystal-clear water.

Tapolca's main square is also a real treasure: here stands the famous statue of the Little Princess by László Marton, a renowned native of the town, which many people will recognize from the banks of the Danube in Budapest.

Not far from here is Malom Lake, whose water uniquely never freezes, with a constant temperature of around 18–20 °C, it has served to operate watermills for centuries.

On the shore of the lake, the former Gabriella mill building now houses a hotel, on its terrace, you can watch the colourful koi carp play in the lake water while enjoying a delicious dessert or a glass of refreshment. Next to it, the former mill wheel is also a popular photo motif. Its interesting feature is that it no longer grinds grain but generates renewable energy, thus combining the past with the present.

The koi carp in Malom Lake inspired one of the attractions of the town, the Fish Stairs. This impressive street art creation was made in 2016 by Judit Varjas, who worked for more than two weeks on the painting covering 27 steps. It is no coincidence that this is one of the most photographed spots in Tapolca!

While exploring the centre of the town, it is easy to find places where you can enrich yourself with gastronomic experience. The Stari Craft Brewery, for example, is an ideal stop for refreshments, with locally brewed beers and a relaxed atmosphere.

And if you still have time, a visit to the Municipal Museum of Tapolca is a great way to end the day.