One of the country’s liveliest towns is located just outside Budapest

What will we be discussing?

•  Etyek, where winemaking meets a rural atmosphere
• Excursions among the vineyards
• In search of wines, cheeses, and local flavours
•  Events that make it worth coming back again and again

Today, the name Etyek is virtually synonymous with wine and sparkling wine. The cool climate of the Etyek–Buda wine region provides excellent conditions for producing exceptional wines and sparkling wines, which is why the town has played a pivotal role in Hungarian wine culture for centuries. From the late 19th century onward, the grapes grown here served, among other things, as an important raw material for sparkling wine production in Budafok. Preserving its Swabian traditions, the town’s character is still defined today by its wine press houses, historic rows of wine cellars, and carefully tended vineyards. During a walk on Öreghegy, one passes by one winery after another, and from the higher vantage points, there are beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

In the area around Etyek, several marked hiking trails wind through the forests, gentle hillsides, and vineyard-covered hills. You can explore the town with the Etyek Loop’s quick hikes. The more leisurely, 12-kilometer PINCEkör is also excellent for a run; the route passes by the rows of wine cellars and sights such as the Boti Chapel, the Körpince, the Kecskegödör, and Öreghegy. Upon completion, you’ll receive a special commemorative medal, which you can pick up at Café Madeleine. And if you’re looking for a bigger challenge, choose the KACSkaringó, which takes hikers on a nearly 28-kilometer journey through the vineyards of Etyek! The route passes by the Boti Chapel, the fishing lake, Öreghegy, the Korda Film Park, and Újhegy, among other sites.

It’s also worth setting out by bike: thanks to the manageable elevation changes, Etyek can be an excellent starting point for exploring Alcsútdoboz, Felcsút, or the Váli Valley. Cycling along the quiet side roads and farm roads in the area is a pleasure, and along the way you’ll find countless rest stops perfect for picnics. If you’re planning a longer excursion, it’s worth stopping by the Alcsút Arboretum, the Biai Fish Ponds, or the Váli Valley, which are popular among nature lovers and birdwatchers alike, but there are also numerous spots in Etyek and the surrounding area is worth visiting on foot or by bike.

When you think of Etyek, you think of sparkling wine; and when you think of sparkling wine, you think of the Etyeki Kúria Sparkling Wine Estate! Be sure to set aside a few hours to explore this charming estate in Etyek-Öreghegy, which has been in operation for over 30 years. After making a table reservation or booking in advance, you can take part in a guided wine and sparkling wine tasting or a themed dinner. The estate regularly organizes unique events: vineyard parties accompanied by live jazz music or a chill DJ, dinners, or even a sparkling wine brunch.

Year after year, the winery wins prestigious domestic and international awards. In 2026, the focus is on sparkling wines; in addition to the still wines, be sure to taste the Pláne Frizzante, and among the top-tier Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, the specialities Brut Non Vintage and Brut Blanc de Noirs; the former was unveiled in a unique way – Péter Besenyei, world champion aerobatic pilot, performed the sabrage using a sword mounted on the wing of his airplane. Their dishes – inspired by their wines and sparkling wines and made with ingredients from local producers – are best enjoyed on the panoramic terrace of their Brut21 restaurant, and if you don’t feel like heading home, you can stay in one of their charming apartments, converted from former Swabian cellars.

A must-visit for cheese lovers is the Etyek Goat Cheese Manufactory, where excellent cheese is made from the high-quality milk of happy goats. At the family farm run by Oktávia Vidáné Kondor and her husband, János Vida, you can purchase fresh and semi-hard cheeses, grilled cheeses, and soft cheeses aged with white noble mold, all available in a variety of flavourings. You should definitely try their award-winning cheeses, including the Éji Sudár and the Etyeki Aggastyán.

Etyek is bustling all year round: there are plenty of family, culinary, and sports events here. Among other things, be sure to mark your calendar for the spring and fall Etyek Picnics, which are more of a wine region experience than a festival. The centre of the event is always the Gasztrosétány, where wineries and restaurants offer wine tastings, local cheese and ham specialties, as well as popular and family-friendly activities. At the event, you can stroll leisurely from terrace to terrace and from winery to winery with a glass of fine wine in hand, savouring the moment as the sun sets, surrounded by rows of grapevines, and finding the perfect spot for long conversations.