Sailboat observation point toplist for the 56th Kékszalag (‘Blue Ribbon’) Raiffeisen Grand Prix

The Kékszalag is much more than a sailing race – András Holczhauser, Secretary General of the Hungarian Sailing Association (MVSZ), believes that it is much more an exciting event rich in tradition, full of community experiences, which makes the summer days spent on the shores of Lake Balaton unforgettable for competitors and spectators alike. The regatta will be accompanied by a wide range of activities, including gastronomic festivals, children’s activities, concerts, sailing shows and even fireworks! It is well known that during the competition, coastal areas are packed to capacity: in good weather, it is not uncommon for beaches to be crowded with up to 600,000 people. According to András Holczhauser, a lot of people watch the start from the pier in Füred and the morning events from the high beach (magaspart) in Kenese. The Secretary General of the Hungarian Sailing Association says that it is worth watching the boats from the Tihany ferry in the afternoon, and from the area around Badacsony and Szigliget in the evening. By then the boats are already getting more far away from each other, and the higher up you are, the more you can see of the lake. With all this in mind, we have prepared a top list for those who want to watch the boats sailing the Balatonfüred-Balatonkenese-Siófok-Keszthely-Balatonfüred course.

If you are curious about the start, after which you can indulge in a luxurious experience, Balatonfüred is the place to be. LUA Resort offers “adults-only” relaxation in five-star quality. Its Michelin-recommended restaurant, NOON Restaurant & Lounge, offers special and sophisticated dishes. Lunch in the luxurious, cosmopolitan surroundings and explore the hotel’s SPA area, as well. Next to the hotel, right on the beach, the MVSZ marina, the Kékszalag PORT, has been opened, and the hotel’s rooftop bar is located on the roof of the building, where you can enjoy the excitement and the buzz of the race with a delicious cocktail in your hand and catchy music in the background. If you like, you can also request an e-bike or a scooter at the hotel, which will soon take you to the Tagore Promenade in Füred, where a colourful programme of activities awaits you.

Historic vineyards and forests surround the St. Donát winery in Csopak. “In addition, we are at a high point from where you can see two-thirds of Lake Balaton in good weather,” says Tamás Kovács, the winery’s winemaker-owner. It is worth climbing to the top of the hill for a truly spectacular view! If you would like to sip wine alongside the spectacle, you can opt for a two-hour guided wine tasting, where you will be told about the philosophy behind the wines, local history and the winery. Anyone can sit in the panoramic guest lounge or on the terrace for a glass of wine, even during the race. Since the estate is located in an area where grape growing was practised already in Roman times, and traces of it can still be seen today, it is a good idea to explore this part of our history – for example, the remains of the nearby Villa Romana Baláca villa farm, a unique monument in Central Europe.

During the regatta, the high shore of Lake Balaton in Balatonakarattya is often visited by some of the media, as it is an excellent observation point. This stage is expected to be very busy again this year – but if you don’t want to watch the race for hours, it is worth seeing what’s happening on the water and then heading to the huge garden of il Mercato Ristorante e Gelateria for a truly authentic Italian lunch and many, many happy moments under the egis of Dolce Vita. Children and four-legged friends will have a great time here. If you are more tempted by the vibrant flavours of Mexico, you only have to go next door: the Sombreros Taqueria is literally a bright spot on the gastronomic palette of the shores of Balaton. After lunch – even with an ice cream in hand – you can head back to the high shore, and if you fancy another refreshing drink or a new-wave coffee instead of Italian black, you can also head to The Rusty Coffee Box.

If you like an exotic setting, the restaurant of the Mala Garden**** Superior Hotel in Siófok, right on the waterfront, can make you feel like in Bali if you take your eyes off the sails for a few minutes: the vast expanse of water, the garden splashes with fish and aquatic plants and the artistic interior design make you imagine yourself on an island in the Far East. There is a choice of international cuisine, live music is frequent and the view of the Hungarian sea is complete. The Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton and Family Park in Szántód is a fascinating experience for families: the complex is no secret that it is like the fantastic setting of Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Located just 100 metres from the hotel, the 10,000-square-metre family park is unique in Europe – and it is important to know that it’s not just for hotel guests. There’s a huge themed playhouse, a roller coaster and lots of fun for the kids – and for the adults, there are rest areas and a cocktail bar.

Also for families, a visit to the Folly Arboretum and Winery in Badacsonyörs is a great idea, where you can watch the magical panorama of Lake Balaton from the shade of century-old evergreens – and the colourful sailboats. The arboretum’s varied programme this year includes a detective escape room game that can be bought every day, a guided garden walk and Folly Herba programme on the afternoon of the 18th, a fairytale trail for the little ones and a Folly matinée on the 20th, alongside the unusual playground. Zen Garden Resort in Zánka is another family-friendly place to stay. A playground and a large sports field have been built under the shady trees of the park. You can also view the sailing area from the resort’s own harbour, and even stay on site if you manage to book one of the last-minute chalets, which resemble alpine apartments. And the Bamboo Bistro’s seven-hundred-square-metre terrace is a great place for a bite to eat. If you’d rather watch the action from above, head to the Echo Restaurant in Tihany at the top of Visszhang (‘Echo’) Hill, or the Apátsági Rege Cukrászda (the Abbey’s Confectionery), where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of Lake Balaton, but also delicious dishes and lavender specialities. Tihany has a lot to offer, and you can use the services of the Balaton Bike Tour (BBT) to visit them, rent an e-bike, have it delivered to the address you requested and collect it at another location.

The Sirius Hotel Superior, part of the Adventor family, offers stunning views directly on the shores of Lake Balaton. You can sit at the Capella Bar for an ice-cold cocktail or grab a bite to eat at the SunRise Restaurant. If you want to stay in one of the 128 spacious rooms, book soon! A special part of the diverse spa and wellness service is an outdoor sauna house, from where you can enjoy the full panorama of Lake Balaton – an extraordinary experience, especially if you can see the ships mentioned above!

The competition is traditionally held during the full moon.

Competitors will compete in 28 different categories to complete the 155 km distance as the crow flies, with at least 10 boats with international competitors on board in the last time.

The winner will also receive a beautiful, hand-painted Herendi porcelain traveling trophy.

The fastest sailboats on the seas once wore the blue ribbon on their masts, and with the rise of sailing and racing, it has become common practice also on European lakes.