Lake Balaton and Herend Porcalain (Full-Day Private Tour)
Description
This full-day private tour to the Lake Balaton region covers the largest hand-painting porcelain manufactory of the world in Herend, the 1000-year old Benedictine Abbey in Tihany, beautiful walkway in Balatonfüred and a wine tasting in the wine region Balatonfüred-Csopak. Herend is famous for its Porcelain Manufactory – you can see how the luxury hand painted products are made (and also can buy products if you want). In Tihany you can visit the Benedictine Abbey, and enjoy a delightful panorama of Lake Balaton. In Balatonfüred you can take a walk on the bank. A lot of sailboats and yachts could be seen on the lake. If you get tired, there are a lot of benches to relax and cafés to refresh yourself. If the weather is enough warm, you can try a beach if you want. At the end of the day you can enjoy a great wine at one of the many wine bars on the hilltops by the wineries overlooking the lake.
Tour Options
Itinerary
It's worth to take a tour to the legendary Herend Porcelain Manufactury. The Herend Porcelain Manufactory is a Hungarian manufacturing company, specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. Founded in 1826, it is based in the town of Herend near the city of Veszprém. In the mid-19th century it was purveyor to the Habsburg Dynasty and aristocratic customers throughout Europe. Many of its classic patterns are still in production. The price of the entrance ticket in 2023: 4.100 HUF. Visit to the Minimanufactory and the Porcelain Museum including bonus coffee or tea served at the Apicius Café.
Tihany is a village on the northern shore of Lake Balaton on the Tihany Peninsula. The center of the district is the Benedictine Tihany Abbey, which was founded in 1055 by András (Andrew) I, who is buried in the crypt. The founding charter of this abbey is the first extant record of Hungarian language. The church itself was rebuilt in baroque style. The still functioning abbey is a popular tourist attraction due to its historical and artistic significance. It also has the best view of Lake Balaton.
Tihany is famous for the echo, existing since the 18th century. There were poems written for this echo, like by Mihály Csokonai Vitéz and Mihály Vörösmarty.
The town has two marinas, a string of carbonated mineral water springs, listed buildings from the middle of the 18th and the 19th centuries and fine restaurants. Visitors come for the mild micro-climate, scenery, the local wine, made of Olaszrizling grapes and sailing and swimming facilities, as well as to revive the two-century-old tradition of socializing around spas, bathing and vacationing.
On the way back, it's worth making a short stop in the great Csopak-Balatonfüred wine region. You can enjoy a glass of great wine at one of the numerous wine bars on the hilltops by the wineries overlooking the lake.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The tour can start from any hotel or other accomodation type in Budapest.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(6)
We were a bigger group in a van so had a driver and a guide. We went to some lookout spots with nice views of the lake, we visited Tihany and the Abbey. Gergely took us to a lovely spot for lunch. We finished up at a winery as that was what we requested. We asked to be dropped back in Budapest at a particular restaurant at a particular time and we got there punctually. Gergely was helpful and informative. The only thing negative I would say is that it was very hot and on several occasions the driver parked and we had to walk whereas we felt he could have dropped us off closer.
Excellent day trip to Lake Balaton and the Herend Museum and factory. Gregory was well informed and an excellent driver! We would highly recommend booking a trip with him and enjoying a wonderful experience! Thank you, Gregory!
Ursula is an incredibly savvy guide, and our driver Daniel was excellent. The car was luxurious. We had not known of Herend until this visit and enjoyed the tour and cappuccino there immensely. Tihany is a gem, and I could have spend days at Lake Balaton.
Gergely Szabó was an excellent guide. We had a great drive to the Lake Balaton area. We had stops at a viewpoint. Then we went to the Porcalain factory. We had an excellent tour. He walked us through the museum and was knowledgeable about the factory and the area. We had ample time for the tour and shopping. Then we drove to the Lake. We had time to take the ferry over to Tihany while he drove over to the other side to meet us. We had time for lunch and then a walking tour of Tihany and the church. There was ample time for the walk and shopping and we drove to a winery he knew and we had time for a nice glass of wine before the drive back to Budapest. Excellent trip!!!!
Gregory was a great guide and driver out to Herend and Lake Balaton area. He tailored the tour to our requests and we stopped at a little vineyard and sampled some local wine as well! The Herend tour was great. The only bummer was that I wish we had remembered to bring our passports for the VAT tax refund form.
