A Sunday on Lake Balaton doesn’t need planning headaches—this one’s mapped out for you. Set off in the morning by speedboat from Fonyód or by the St. Benedict (Szent Benedek) pleasure boat from Balatonfenyves, hop to Badacsony, then ride a minibus to the beloved Káptalantóti Craft Market. You’ll get a solid 1.5 hours to shop and wander, then choose one of two afternoon add-ons: a leafy escape to Folly Arboretum & Winery (Folly Arborétum és Borászat) with tastings, or a Badacsony wine ramble calling at Istvándy and Laposa. It runs every Sunday at 10:00 with return by 15:00, and operates on set dates with advance booking only. Bring friends—the tour needs a minimum headcount to launch, and individual reservations can be grouped to reach it.
Two Departure Points, Two Price Tiers
From Fonyód, the fast boat zips across to Badacsony, where a minibus connects directly to the Káptalantóti Market. After 90 minutes of browsing and free time, you can finish the day in one of two ways. The base market program costs around 24.3 USD per person (9,000 HUF), and the expanded version with an afternoon excursion comes to about 43.2 USD per person (16,000 HUF). Trips run every Sunday, departing at 10:00 and returning by 15:00. This option departs with a minimum of 10 participants, not counting scheduled public services.
Prefer a gentler glide? From Balatonfenyves, board the St. Benedict (Szent Benedek) pleasure boat to Badacsony, then continue by minibus to the market. The core program is priced at roughly 32.4 USD per person (12,000 HUF), or about 56.7 USD (21,000 HUF) with an afternoon add-on. These sail every Sunday too, with the same 10:00–15:00 rhythm, and a minimum of 15 participants applies here, again excluding any regular scheduled sailings. All programs run only at prearranged, prebooked times.
Market Morning: Makers, Flavors, Finds
Káptalantóti’s craft market is a Balaton classic—artisan goods, farm-fresh produce, cheeses, cured meats, preserves, flowers, ceramics, and all the little things that make you want a larger tote bag. The 1.5-hour window is designed for a brisk treasure hunt: coffee, pastries, a chat with a grower, perhaps a small-batch syrup to take home. If you’ve visited before, you know the drill—arrive hungry and curious. If you haven’t, the minibus drop-off and pick-up keep the schedule easy and stress-free.
Pick Your Afternoon: Trees or Terroir
Option one heads to Folly Arboretum & Winery (Folly Arborétum és Borászat), where you’ll get 90 minutes of free time among terraced gardens and panoramic Balaton views, plus a tasting with three drinks—choose between syrups or wines. It’s a nature-meets-cellar break that suits mixed groups, families, and anyone who likes their hiking trails with a sip on the side.
Option two keeps you in Badacsony for back-to-back stops at Istvándy and Laposa. At each winery, expect a tasting of three wines that showcase volcanic soils and crisp, mineral-driven whites. Think structured olaszrizling, aromatic whites, and hillside views that justify every photo you’ll take. It’s compact, curated, and easy—no transfers beyond the minibus, no logistics to juggle.
Dates and Practicalities
The Sunday runs include 2026.01.04, 2026.01.11, 2026.01.18, and 2026.01.25, all departing from Fonyód, with more dates added as the season progresses. Every program is bookable by phone and requires prearrangement to lock in your spot. Individual bookings can be combined to meet the minimum group size, helping departures go ahead even if you’re not traveling with a crowd.
Where to Stay Near the Action
If you’re making a weekend of it, Fonyód delivers plenty of stays, many repeated for good reason. Boros Kastély Guesthouse (Boros Kastély Vendégház) stands like a peninsula in the protected Nagyberek reserve behind Fonyód Hill. This 26-guest manor mixes a family feel with elegance, offering sailing, boat trips, and wine programs. Inside are 10 freshly renovated ensuite rooms, including terraces for two and two-room setups for four, with knockout views over the hills and wetlands—ideal for groups, trainings, even company retreats.
Funoldi Guesthouse (Funoldi Vendégház) sits in one of Fonyód’s prettiest spots and doubles as a handy conference base. For quiet and space, there’s an attic apartment with a separate entrance: three rooms (two twin rooms and one triple), kitchen, dining area, bathroom with tub, two toilets, and staircase. Outside, expect a large fenced yard with grill, swing seat, cauldron setup, sandbox, pool, and parking—panorama included.
A tidy, air-conditioned two-bedroom apartment waits five minutes from the Fonyódliget free beach, in a calm cul-de-sac. It sits on a fenced, landscaped plot, measures 430.6 square feet, and accepts SZÉP Card. If views are your must-have, look to separate-entrance apartments on the southern shore with sweeping panoramas across the water, plus an American-style kitchen just a minute from the lake, looking toward the northern shore.
For a classic stay, Hotel Balaton anchors itself in Fonyód’s center, 328 feet from the lake and marina, 820 feet from the beach. Capacity is 50 guests, with fully equipped rooms—showers, minibars, cable TV—and a fire alarm system. Apartments come with kitchenettes.
Where to Eat and Unwind
Konyhám Stúdió 365 sits on Fonyód’s main square with a fantastic Balaton view, and it leans into culinary creativity and good vibes. It’s an experience-driven spot for anyone who loves exploring flavors and savoring small joys.
In the Fonyódliget Holiday Park (Fonyód-ligeti Üdülőpark), Zöldkert Restaurant (Zöldkert Vendéglő) is tucked into a quiet patch of trees and greenery, with inn-style apartments offering solid on-site lodging inside the holiday park. For a casual central stop, Barbakán draws crowds with Fornetti bakes, grilled sandwiches, pastries, homemade lemonades, specialty coffees, and draft beer. Summer brings soft serve and slushies, winter brings cozy interiors, and free Wi-Fi runs year-round.
Booking for the market-and-wine Sundays is by phone, with contact through the organizer, József Tóth (Tóth József). Pick your boat, pick your add-on, and make a Balaton Sunday feel like three trips in one.
