The Hegymagas Market is back for 2026 with a broader, tastier lineup and that easygoing community vibe locals swear by. Set on the edge of the village along the road to Szigliget (8265, Szigligeti út), the market runs every Saturday from January 3 to December 19, opening at 7:30 a.m. Expect the familiar faces and stalls locals love, plus a crop of new artisans and producers joining the mix. If you show up hungry, you’ll be greeted with a surprise breakfast to kick-start your weekend.
This is not just shopping. It’s a calm, chatty Saturday ritual where you can browse, taste, swap recipes, trade tips, and meet the people behind your food and craft goods. Created and run by locals with deep roots in the area, the market highlights eco-friendly and organic products straight from the source—and makes a morning of it with conversation corners, spots to rest, and a family-friendly vibe.
You can easily get here by car, bike, or bus. The site is dog-friendly, offers a kids’ corner, and takes bank cards, so you won’t be stuck fishing for cash when you find that perfect honey or gluten-free loaf. Regular dates run throughout winter and beyond, including January 17, 24, 31, and February 7 in Hegymagas—then continuing every Saturday after that.
What to Buy and Taste
Local producers come loaded with chemical-free seasonal vegetables and fruits, and a serious spread of artisan foods. Think handmade cheeses, smoked meats, house-made syrups and jams, fresh breads and cakes, plus gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and vegan pastries. Those with a sweet tooth can chase down raw honey and classic gingerbread. If you’re steering your pantry toward clean ingredients, you’ll also find additive-free cosmetics crafted by small-batch makers.
Two new names have joined the producers’ circle this year. Hegymagas Beef Delicacies (Hegymagasi Marhaságok) brings refined smoked meat specialties—perfect for weekend boards and long brunches—while Lavender Farm (Levendula Porta) rolls in with stunning cheeses that pair beautifully with local wines. The morning surprise breakfast is a nice touch: quick, warm, and exactly what you want in the chilly season, served with a smile.
Stay a Little Longer
Turning your market run into a weekend escape is easy. The Kovács Guesthouse in Hegymagas welcomes visitors year-round, with comfortable rooms and an ideal base for exploring the surrounding hills and cellars. If you want to fold wine into the plan (and you should), St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy)—part of the renowned Badacsony wine region—sits right above the village, dotted with cellars where you can book tastings and cellar tours by appointment.
Wine Country, Up Close
Several wineries on St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) open their doors for intimate tastings and vineyard visits. One small-batch estate farms a compact 4 acres (2 hectares), a scale they say guarantees full attention to the vines and the cellar. Unusually for the region, they’re spotlighting reds. Tastings typically feature six wines and last around two hours, booked in advance.
Another family-run operation cultivates 49 acres (20 hectares) on the sunny southern slopes and offers agritourism with guesthouses available to book—ideal if you want to wake up among the vines. You’ll also find Hegymagas-based family cellars pouring Olaszrizling, Rizlingszilváni, Zengő, Traminer, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, and Rózsakő, alongside a boutique producer crafting delicate, handcrafted wines from rare local varieties with a focus on creating memorable, sense-driven tasting experiences.
Fans of volcanic terroir should look for the Gilvesy wines: the owner established the cellar in 2012 and runs a vinotheque where you can buy during opening hours or by arrangement. Delivery is available, and tasting programs are organized on request. If you’re out for views, the Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince) sits just 650 feet (200 meters) from the Tarányi Cellar and the Lengyel Chapel on the mountain’s southern side, serving both draft and bottled wines—book ahead for tastings.
Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince), welcoming guests since 1996, tends 44 acres (18 hectares) and blends modern winemaking with traditional barrel aging on select bottlings. Meanwhile, one of the hill’s best-known estates operates a year-round vinotheque and, from spring to autumn, runs the Viridárium kitchen at its renewed estate center—drawing food and wine travelers for seasonal plates paired with the region’s signature whites.
Make a Day of It
The Saturday rhythm is simple: arrive early for the freshest produce and that breakfast surprise; stroll the stalls and meet growers; then head up St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) for a late-morning cellar tour or a two-hour tasting flight. Families can break things up with the kids’ corner, and dogs are welcome. Bikers can coast over from nearby villages, while those driving will find the market easy to reach from Szigliget and the surrounding Balaton area.
Before You Go
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so it’s smart to check updates before setting out. The market runs Saturdays from 7:30 a.m., January 3 through December 19, on Szigligeti út at the edge of Hegymagas. Bring a tote, an appetite, and time to linger—you’ll want to chat, taste, and come back the next week to do it all again.
