Open Farm Days – a weekend dedicated to rural life and family farms

0:00

H. Horváth Orsolya

Every year during Open Farm Days, family farms, artisan workshops, and wine cellars open their doors at hundreds of locations across the country to offer a glimpse into everyday rural life for a single weekend. During these events, we can discover local flavours, meet the farmers, and even get involved in the work processes ourselves to connect more closely with our food, the countryside, and nature.

What's the article about?

A peek behind the scenes of farms
Family experiences, collaborative activities and tastings
Practical information, travel and lodging tips

The countryside invites you behind the scenes

What makes this event series special is that there are no artificial barriers or festival stages. We can chart our own course as we explore different regions of the country. It’s worth setting out on foot, by bike, or even on horseback (!), as this is where the magic of slow travel truly comes to life. The programs offer the chance to meet in person the people who produce the food we eat every day. The producers are happy to talk about their work, preserving traditions, and family stories, thus behind the delicacies you take home, you’ll see familiar faces and a wealth of expertise.

Family experiences and collaborative creativity

The experience can be exciting for all ages – feel free to bring the whole family along! While petting zoos, pony rides, and farm tours offer memorable moments for preschoolers and elementary school children, adults can enjoy tastings and interactive workshops: for example, we can see how sourdough bread is baked, how much milk is needed to make one kilogram of cheese, and what makes smoked meat tender. We can even get creative ourselves: we can try our hand at making beeswax candles, pottery on a wheel, or basket weaving, or learn the tricks of fermenting vegetables and making homemade pasta. This isn’t just a way to relax – it’s also an opportunity to become more conscious consumers.

Useful tips for your visit

These farms generally welcome visitors in late summer and autumn, when the harvest and farm work are truly spectacular. Most locations are easily accessible by car, but in many areas, you can also easily travel from one stop to another by mini-train, bicycle, or e-bike. Since some of the programs are free but also include workshops with limited capacity, it’s worth checking in advance and planning your route by browsing the event’s website.

Exploring each courtyard takes a few hours, but you can easily put together a tour that lasts an entire weekend. When it comes to lodging, local guesthouses and rural accommodations truly capture the spirit of the program, therefore it’s worth choosing these options for a truly rejuvenating experience.

You can also follow the latest news on the Open Farm Days Facebook page (link: https://www.facebook.com/nyitottportanapok ), along with introductions to the regions and farms.