A Sunday on Lake Balaton with boats, buses, wine, and a bustling artisan market? That’s the plan for December 14, 2025: a curated day trip shuttling you from Fonyód or Balatonfenyves to Badacsony, then on to the famed Káptalantóti Artisan Market (Káptalantóti Kézműves Piac) for shopping, tasting, and wandering—plus an afternoon of your choice at top wineries or a hilltop arboretum. Booking is by phone; contact person: József Tóth. The trip runs only with advance coordination and an agreed start time, and a minimum group size applies, but multiple individual bookings can combine to reach the required headcount.
Departures repeat every Sunday at 10:00 with a scheduled return by 15:00. Additional dates already set include 2025.12.21 and 2026.01.04 from Fonyód. The program runs outside regular timetable services, so the minimum participant rule does not apply to standard public boat routes.
Option 1: Fonyód to Badacsony by Speedboat
Start from Fonyód on a fast boat, glide across Balaton to Badacsony, then continue by minibus to the Káptalantóti market. You’ll get 1.5 hours to shop, sample, and stroll—plenty of time to browse small-batch goods and local produce. The price for the morning program is USD 24.60 per person. The outing runs every Sunday with a 10:00 start and a 15:00 finish.
In the afternoon, pick between two add-ons:
– Folly Arboretum and Winery (Folly Arborétum és Borászat): enjoy 1.5 hours of free time with a tasting of three syrups or three wines.
– Badacsony winery tour: visit Istvándy and Laposa, with three-wine tastings at each cellar.
With the afternoon add-on, the price is USD 43.70 per person. This version also runs Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00. The Fonyód-based program requires at least 10 participants to operate (again, this minimum does not apply to the public boat timetable).
Option 2: Balatonfenyves to Badacsony by Sightseeing Boat
Prefer a classic cruise? Depart Balatonfenyves on the Szent Benedek sightseeing boat, arrive in Badacsony, then hop into a minibus to Káptalantóti. Expect 1.5 hours to shop and soak up the market’s vibe. The price for the morning portion is USD 32.80 per person. As with the Fonyód route, it’s every Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00, with the same two afternoon add-ons available:
– Folly Arboretum and Winery: 1.5 hours of free time and a tasting of either three syrups or three wines.
– Badacsony tasting tour: Istvándy and Laposa wineries, three wines at each.
With the add-on, the price is USD 57.30 per person, Sundays 10:00–15:00. This route requires at least 15 participants to run (the minimum participant rule does not apply to standard public services).
How It Flows
– 10:00: Departure from Fonyód (speedboat) or Balatonfenyves (Szent Benedek).
– Badacsony: Transfer by minibus to the Káptalantóti Artisan Market (Káptalantóti Kézműves Piac).
– Káptalantóti: 1.5 hours of free time for shopping and exploring.
– Afternoon: Choose either Folly Arboretum & Winery with three syrup/wine tastings and free time, or the Badacsony twin-cellar tour at Istvándy and Laposa, with three-wine tastings at each.
– 15:00: Return.
Where to Stay: Fonyód Essentials
Whether you’re turning the day trip into a weekend or need a comfortable base, Fonyód has a range of stays.
– Boros Kastély Guesthouse (Boros Kastély Vendégház): Rising like a peninsula in the middle of the protected Nagyberek Nature Reserve behind Fonyód Hill, this guesthouse accommodates up to 26 people. Think intimate, elegant setting for groups, sailing and boating programs, and wine tastings—also ideal for trainings and corporate events. Ten freshly renovated rooms with private bathrooms include doubles and family-friendly two-room units with terraces. Expect sweeping views of Fonyód’s hills and the reserve.
– Funoldi Guesthouse (Funoldi Vendégház): A go-to for anyone craving peace. It sits in one of Fonyód’s prettiest areas and doubles as a solid conference hub.
– Rooftop apartment with private entrance: Quiet setting, superb panorama. The attic-level flat has its own entry, three rooms (two doubles, one triple), a kitchen, dining area, bathroom with tub, two toilets, and a staircase. Outside: large enclosed yard, garden grill, swing bed, kettle for open-fire cooking, sandbox, pool, and parking.
– Air-conditioned two-bedroom apartment near Fonyódliget free beach: Five minutes from the water, tucked in a safe cul-de-sac on a fenced, landscaped plot. Around 430 square feet, it welcomes guests year-round and accepts SZÉP Card payments.
– Separate-entrance panoramic apartments on Fonyód’s south shore: Open all year and set up for lake-view living toward the north shore.
– North-shore-facing American-style kitchen apartment: One minute from the lake, with a striking view north over Balaton.
– Zöldkert Restaurant (Zöldkert Vendéglő) and guesthouse apartments: In the Fonyódliget Holiday Park, the restaurant sits in a quiet, green zone with on-site guesthouse-style apartments for quality accommodation within the park.
– Hotel Balaton: In the heart of Fonyód, 330 feet from the lake and marina, 820 feet from the beach. Capacity for 50 guests. Rooms come fully equipped with showers, minibars, cable TV, and fire safety systems; apartments include a kitchenette.
Where to Eat and Sip
– Konyhám Stúdió 365: On Fonyód’s main square with knockout lake views, this spot blends ambiance and culinary artistry, inviting guests on a creative flavor trip and celebrating life’s small joys.
– Barbakán: Right in the center, serving Fornetti, grilled sandwiches, pastries, house lemonades, specialty coffees, and draft beer. Summer means soft-serve and shaved ice; winter brings a cozy interior. Free Wi‑Fi included.
Secure your spot by phone with contact person József Tóth, align your date in advance, and bring your curiosity—whether you sail fast or slow, the market and the vineyards are ready.
