Tihany rolls into 2026 with a packed calendar of experiences on the Balaton shore. Concerts, exhibitions, theater nights, the famous Lavender Festival, foodie pop-ups, and a full slate of guided and optional outdoor programs are all in the mix. Whether you’re a holidaymaker or a culture buff, there’s every reason to explore the Tihany Peninsula’s nature and heritage through the season’s events—and to wander beyond the village limits for hikes, lake views, and hidden spots.
January Highlights
January 17 brings the Tihany Trail, a winter trail running and Nordic walking race that takes full advantage of the peninsula’s varied terrain. Expect crisp air, rolling routes, and that unique Tihany backdrop of lake and lava-stone hills.
Also on January 17: Aranygaluska Weekend at the Abbey’s Rege Confectionery (Apátsági Rege Cukrászda). This beloved dessert—soft, pillowy, walnut-dusted yeast dough balls baked golden and drenched in vanilla sauce—gets the spotlight at one of the area’s classic confectioneries.
All month long, from January 5 to January 31, hop the light ferry between Tihany and Szántód. The illuminated crossings are a cozy, wintry way to slip across the Balaton strait—with the peninsula’s silhouette glowing at dusk.
Dates to Save
The tail end of 2025 overlaps with Tihany’s new year: December 13, 2025 to January 18, 2026 features seasonal offerings that lead straight into January’s big weekend. The 7th Tihany Benedictine Ball (VII. Tihanyi Bencés Bál) lands January 24—an elegant tradition with a monastic tie-in, hospitality, and local pride on full display. Then, from January 1 to December 31, the “Balaton Programs 2026” (“Balatoni programok 2026”) umbrella keeps the wider lake region humming with events year-round. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep an eye on updates.
Stay the Night: From Guesthouses to Lakeside Suites
Tihany’s lodging mix is broad and surprisingly intimate. One attic-level apartment in a family home adds a separate guest room and can combine with a larger guesthouse setup—great for groups—and accepts all three SZÉP cards. A new family house on the edge of nature runs year-round with rooms with private baths and apartments, a living room with satellite TV, and a fully equipped kitchen. Balconies serve sweeping views over the Inner Lake, Lake Balaton, and the Abbey church; total capacity: 10 guests.
For a classic village vibe, several romantic, thatched, rustic houses sit at the foot of the Abbey in the historic old town. Expect enclosed courtyards with parking, comfy seating areas, and bicycle rentals for easy family circuits around the peninsula. Another property nearby offers six separate apartments in traditional peasant houses, each with a private entrance, central gas heating, cable TV, and full comfort in both winter and summer.
If you want that lakeside hush, the Balaton Limnological Institute’s guesthouse puts you directly on the shore. Seventeen air-conditioned rooms include two suites, eight doubles, and seven triples, accommodating up to 42. Suites have bathtubs; rooms have showers. All feature fridges, TVs, and landlines, with Wi‑Fi throughout.
On the peninsula’s newer side, a family-run inn sits near the Inner Lake, just about 984 feet away—a paradise for anglers. Right next door is a Family Leisure Park with wooden outdoor games, mini-golf, and bowling. The Lavender House, the national park’s visitor center on the Inner Lake shore, is open year-round with exhibits on local nature and culture.
For a hotel with a view, Aquilo, named after the Roman god of the north wind, holds a unique position: it’s the only north-shore hotel facing Balatonfüred, its gentle hills, and the northern shore. Beyond beach time, the hotel’s active tourism base can kit you out for adventures, with a sailboat and rental motorboats ready to go.
Eat, Sip, Repeat
A revamped lineup from the Tihany Benedictine Abbey (Tihanyi Bencés Apátság) features house-made specialties, local sweets, herbal teas from Father Gellért, herb-and-lavender liqueurs honoring King Andrew (András) and Queen Anastasia, and TICHON abbey beers.
Traditional Hungarian cooking is alive and well at several cozy spots around the village. The Echo Hill vantage point marries a 240-degree sweep over the eastern basin of Lake Balaton and the blue-domed Abbey with a culinary program that earned “Viewpoint of the Year” in 2013. The 100-seat terrace is prime for family lunches, sunset dates, engagements, and even weddings, with flexible setups and tailored menus.
Fogas Csárda, 984 feet from the Abbey on the village’s north side, serves year-round with a terrace facing the Inner Lake, balancing tasty plates with Balaton wines. Another family tavern rounds out the scene with grill favorites, hot dishes, house cold platters, and the most Hungarian of starters: fresh bread with lard and onions, plus regionally typical wines. Echo Residence Luxury Hotel’s (Echo Residence Luxushotel) 50-seat restaurant and equal-size à la carte terrace offer a seasonal menu that fuses tradition and contemporary flair, all set against a sunlit, Mediterranean-feel view. For an easy morning or snack stop, there’s a friendly, dog- and kid-welcoming café pouring breakfasts, coffees, and alcohol-free or spirited refreshments alongside sandwiches and pastries.
Craving something sweet? The Tihany pilgrimage gelato spot offers 24 handcrafted flavors made only with natural, premium ingredients, with gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, and vegan choices on deck.
Wine and Heritage
Tihany’s wine-knightly order keeps the peninsula’s viticultural traditions not just alive, but alluring. Their mission: champion cultured wine enjoyment and turn food-and-wine culture into a draw in its own right—while flying the flag for Tihany. The banner wine is Tihany Cabernet: elegant, richly flavored, and aromatic, a stunner shaped by the peninsula’s unique basalt-rich soils. Think gemstone color, arresting nose, and a long, satisfying finish that lingers like a Balaton sunset.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
