September 6, 2025, is shaping up to be anything but ordinary in Balatonakali (Balatonakali), a charming village on the eastern edge of the Lake Balaton (Balaton) region. This isn’t your average local festival—the Almond Harvest is a chance to soak up the best of the countryside, taste local specialties, and savor some of Hungary’s history, all wrapped up with a lake view that creates postcard-perfect memories.
A Journey Through History and Nature
The Regional Museum and Accommodation (Térségi Muzeális Gyűjtemény és Szálláshely), which opened in 2006, anchors the region’s identity by showcasing treasures from Balatonfüred (Balatonfüred) and surrounding villages. It’s a hub for local culture and community, strengthening ties between neighboring settlements and celebrating the unique traditions of the area.
If you’re looking for more than just a stroll through a museum, Balatonakali (Balatonakali) will keep you on your toes with its historic vineyards. The Fenye Hill (Fenye-hegy), Horog Valley (Horog-völgy), and Les Hill (Les-hegy) form a legendary grape-growing area, and the star attraction is a scenic hiking trail. Spanning about 5 miles, it starts from Balatonakali (Balatonakali) or Fövenyes (Fövenyes), and treats visitors to one stunning panorama after another, whether you’re on foot, by bike, or even driving. That said, enthusiastic hikers will get the most out of the route.
Monuments of Wine
Along the route, there are six heritage-listed cellars, each a living relic of the 18th and 19th centuries. These wine cellars and press houses, some single-story and others multi-story, are snapshots of a bygone era—with their unique architectural details standing as a testament to the region’s winemaking heritage. You’ll even find the only single-level log-walled cellar in the Balaton Uplands (Balaton-felvidék), as well as classic “iszlinges” cellars and every kind of press house imaginable.
Raise a Glass With a Legend
No Balatonakali (Balatonakali) experience is complete without meeting Imre Nagy (Nagy Imre), the village’s resident wine guru. With decades of expertise, he welcomes both groups and solo visitors at his atmospheric Friar’s Habit wine bar (Barátcsuha borozó). Whether you arrive by bus or cruise in by boat, you’re invited to try local wines by the glass or pick up a bottle (or more) to take home. Nagy also organizes guided tours, taking wine lovers straight into the heart of the historic cellar row, so you can toast to tradition in true style.
Easy to Find, Impossible to Forget
If you want to make the most of your Almond Harvest day, look for the shopping center right beside Main Road 71 (71-es főút) in Balatonakali (Balatonakali). Just remember—organizers reserve the right to adjust the date or the program. But one thing is certain: you’ll leave Balatonakali (Balatonakali) with a full belly, a happy heart, and maybe a bottle or two for the journey!
