Vonyarcvashegy, a lakeside resort town on the north shore of Lake Balaton, plans a lively 2025 with concerts, theater, festivals, and a steady flow of cultural and foodie events. It’s a place where forest trails climb to panoramas over the Keszthely Mountains while beaches and water sports rule the shoreline. With around 2,400 residents and streets stretching from the lake up to the ridge, the town lives up to its slogan: “Forest behind us, water in front of us.” Explore the village and its surroundings—there are hiking and excursion options within and beyond the borders of this holiday hub.
December Highlights: Wine Cellars, Advent, Winter Walks
December heats up even as the air chills. On December 13, 20, and 27, the 200-year-old Festetics Helikon Tavern (Helikon Taverna) wine cellar opens its doors for Open Cellar Days in Vonyarcvashegy. Expect historic stone vaults, local bottles, and the kind of atmosphere that makes winter weekends feel special.
The same day, December 13, the Winter Hikes in the Keszthely Mountains kick off, inviting trekkers onto forest paths dressed in frost. December 14 brings the third Advent candle lighting, a cozy community moment in the heart of town. On December 21, jazz meets Advent with a concert by Klára Hajdu & Milán Szakonyi. And after Christmas, on December 27, lace up again for the Winter Hikes Bejgli Tour—a nod to the rich holiday cake you’ll be glad to walk off.
More Winter Dates to Bookmark
December offers stacked weekends: Advent hikes on December 13, events spanning December 20–21, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on December 24–25, and the Bejgli Tour on December 27. Keep the momentum going into the new year with the Winter Hikes New Year’s Toast Tour on January 1, 2026—a brisk walk plus celebratory clinks to kick off the year outdoors.
Stay Near the Water, Sleep Above the Lake
Accommodation fits every mood. Close to Vonyarcvashegy Station (about 984 feet) and the Balaton shore (about 1,312 feet), Fészek Restaurant and Apartment House (Fészek Vendéglő és Apartmanház) offers a covered outdoor pool and free parking. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, shower bathroom, TV, and a terrace facing the garden and pool. Fishing is within 1,640 feet, while water sports—think windsurfing and kayaking/canoeing—are around 1,968 feet away.
For a classic pension vibe, Jáger Guesthouse (Jáger panzió) invites you to holiday by Lake Balaton. In one of the town’s prettiest spots, just 3.1 miles from Keszthely, it blends modern comfort with the friendly atmosphere of a private house.
If you want lakefront views without compromise, check into the 39-room holiday house 492 feet from the shore. All rooms have bathrooms, toilets, and balconies opening to sweeping vistas over Central Europe’s largest lake. Rooms for two, three, or four come with satellite TV, phone, and fridge, and the price includes a lavish buffet breakfast.
Zenit Hotel Balaton, a four-star wellness escape near Hévíz, Keszthely, and the lakeshore, leans into elegant, modern style with a panoramic terrace. Families get connecting garden-access rooms, suites, and premium suites; kids have an outdoor playground, a pool area with a slide-equipped children’s pool, and an indoor playroom. The hotel sits by Balaton Uplands National Park on forested land—clean air, quiet, and still close to the water.
Eat and Sip: From Cellars to Bistros
The over-200-year-old Festetics cellar pairs timeworn charm with the culinary strength of Bacchus Restaurant. A four-pronged wooden sculpture at the entrance and a Bacchus mural inside set the scene for an experience where wine, gastronomy, and art line up perfectly.
Bock Bistro Balaton (Bock Bisztró Balaton) has welcomed diners since February 2014 inside the historic Helikon Tavern (Helikon Taverna). The Bock name signals a full, polished experience—from plates to perfectly matched wines, combining elegance and effortless ease. The kitchen’s philosophy is simple: every dish should land on the table as its best possible self. For consistency lovers, the flavors are steady across visits. Gluten- and lactose-sensitive guests are covered too.
At Papp and Sons Wine Cellar (Papp és Fiai Borpince) and Csereze Wine Bar (Csereze Borozó), you’ll taste the Balaton Uplands in the glass, where traditional methods meet new techniques to craft barrel-aged quality wines. Local cellars and wineries here aim for high-value bottles, blending classical and modern approaches for consistent excellence. Their wines are available in both retail and wholesale and appear at local and national events.
Helikon Tavern Museum and Cellar (Helikon Taverna), protected as a national monument and now part of the Zenit Hotel Balaton complex, holds centuries of lakeside architecture in its arches. Under the vaults, you’ll find standouts from Balaton’s wine regions, served with a sense of place.
Pizzas, Terraces, Views, and Events
Craving Naples by the lake? You’ll find Neapolitan-style pizza, tapas boards, soft drinks, refreshing mixers, Balaton wines, and inventive cocktails—plus apartments boasting knockout lake views. Planning an unforgettable wedding, anniversary surprise, birthday bash, or conference? They’ve got you covered with venues that stick in guests’ memories.
At Terrace Restaurant & Pizzeria (Terasz Étterem & Pizzeria) in Vonyarcvashegy, the signature is a wood-fired oven that turns out crispy pies right in the dining room. Under timber beams, ceiling fans keep the summer heat in check, while the front garden hosts a playground to keep little ones busy and parents relaxed. From spring to autumn, it’s a magnet for Balaton summer lovers.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
