Balaton Cycling Tour

The tour offers a special Hungarian experience; a bike tour around the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton. The starting point for the tour is Siófok, a popular resort with several beaches and a good climate located on the southern shore of the lake. The Hungarians also call it the capital of Balaton and here you will find a relaxed summer atmosphere.

Along the way, you pass lots of small pretty towns, and the exciting wetlands at Kis-Balaton with a rich birdlife, the town of Tapolca with lake caves, which you can sail in as a very special attraction, the beautiful historic Tihany peninsula. On the last cycling day, you will pass Balatonkenese with an atmospheric marina and Panoráma kilátó a viewpoint over the whole of Balaton.

There are plenty of bike paths, plenty to see, plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warm waters of the lake, reasonable prices and delicious Hungarian cuisine. In short, a bike ride for the whole family.

Highlights:
♦ Lake Balaton - 77 km long and with  sandy beaches. 
♦ Festetics Palace - baroque palace in Keszthely
♦ Tapolca - romantic small town 12 km from Balaton with i.a. mill dam and unique lake caves
♦ The Tihany peninsula - practically divides the lake in two. A historical area with a Benedictine monastery

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Itinerary:

Day 1. Siófok
Individual arrival in Siófok (there is a good train connection between Budapest and Siófok).
Welcome meeting and checking the bicycles. Overnight in Siófok right at the lake shore.

Day 2. Siófok - Balatonkeresztúr aprx. 
The tour starts on the Balaton bicycle path “Balatoni Körút” to the west. On the southern shore we pass the villages, which are mostly resort towns, and arrive in Balatonkeresztúr for overnight.
Cycling distance: Approx.65km (40 miles)

Day 3. Balatonkeresztúr – Badacsony 
Today the tour continues from your hotel, passing the Kis Balaton (Little Balaton) the huge wetland habitat.
In 1979, the Kis Balaton was included in the list of "Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitat".On the way there, we make a stop in Keszthely. Though settled since at least Roman times. One of its main tourist attractions is the Festetics Palace, which was built in 1745 in baroque style. Overnight in Badacsony.
Cycling distance: Approx.54km (33.5 miles)

Day 4. Badacsony – Tapolca – Badacsony 
After the breakfast we start to explore the Tapolca Basin, with the basalt hills (the basalt quarries opened here in 1903 have finally been closed down) and the town of Tapolca with the famous lake cave. Finally we arrive in Köveskál, a tiny small village in the heart of the Káli Basin. The most characteristic part of the Balaton Uplands was granted protection - perhaps at the last moment - when a protected landscape area in the Káli Basin was established in 1984 on an area of 9,111 hectares. Overnight in Köveskál
Cycling distance: Approx.33km (20.4 miles)

Day 5. Badacsony – Tihany 
Breakfast is in our hotel. Today we continue our tour on the bicycle path, which leads all around the lake. Finally we arrive in Tihany, on the historical Tihany peninsula. The center of the district is the Benedictine Abbey, which was founded in 1055. From 1952 the first protected landscape area of Hungary was created in the most attractive, most varied and scientifically best researched area of the country. It covers 1,562 hectares, of which 195 is highly protected. Overnight in the nice private house, with wonderful view over the lake.
Cycling distance: Approx.35km (21.7 miles)

Day 6. Tihany – Balatonfüred - Siófok 
Breakfast is in our hotel. Our final tour day leads us back to Siófok, and offers a nice and easy ride, along the popular holiday villages of the Northern shore, like Balatonfüred, Balatonalmádi. Balatonfüred is considered to be the capital of the Northern lake shore and it has significant yachting life. It is also a favorite location for coarse fishing. With the State Hospital for Cardiology in Balatonfüred boasts the largest cardiac-rehabilitation center in Hungary. People come here to enjoy the mild micro-climate, beautiful scenery, the local wine, and sailing and swimming facilities, as well as to revive the two-century-old tradition of socializing around spas, bathing and vacationing. The main events of the two-month-long summer holiday season include a ball for first-time visitors with a beauty contest and a wine-tasting festival, both in August.
OPTIONAL WAY: Passing the lake with ferry boat and bicycling from Szántód to Siófok. In this case we ride app 15 kms (9 miles). Arrival in Siófok in our hotel, overnight.
Cycling distance: Approx.55km (34.18 miles)

Day 7. End of the tour
Breakfast and time to say good bye to one of the most remarkable places in Hungary. Individual departure back to Budapest.

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Price Includes:
Accommodation in 3*-hotels in shared dbl. with shower/toilet (2 nights in Siófok/1 night in Balatonkeresztúr/2 nights in Badacsony/1 night in Tihany
6 breakfasts and local taxes
Bicycle rental for 5 days
Two way transfer from the train station in Siófok train station to the hotel
Luggage transportation - see note in price box
Reparation’s package for each bicycle
24 hours help by phone
Tour description-information-maps

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Not Included:
Single supplement (amount is depending on the departure date)
Travel and health insurance during the tour
Rental of pannier bags,raincoat or other clothes and helmets
Entrance fees
Meals not mentioned as included
Drinking and tips

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Additional Services:
Supplement for electric bicycle: 280€ / bicycle
Four star upgrade accommodation supplement: on request
Taxi transfer Budapest – Siófok (or return
one way) 1- 6 persons 270€,7-19 persons 490€

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Gallery

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