Káptalantóti’s Liliomkert Market is back every Sunday in 2026, serving up food, crafts, and village buzz in one of the most beautiful corners of the Balaton Uplands, the Káli Basin. Dreamed up and founded by biologist-engineer Ildikó Harmathy, this now nationally famous producers’ market has grown from a friendly chat into a weekly ritual that draws farmers, makers, and hungry visitors from near and far. Arrive with an empty stomach. It’s impossible to walk past the stalls without tasting: baskets hiding crackling-rich, cheese-topped pogácsa; cumin-scented crescent rolls stacked high; and oven-hot sour cream flatbreads turning out in steaming rounds. You’ll end up snacking as you shop—and that’s the point.
Where and when
The market sets up every Sunday, year-round, from 7:00 to 14:00 at 8283 Káptalantóti, Petőfi St. 1. It sits at the heart of the Káli Basin, with Lake Balaton nearby and volcanic hills rolling on the horizon. Crowds peak late morning, so early birds score easy parking, first pick of the cheeses, and space to linger with a coffee.
Why everyone keeps coming back
Liliomkert’s charm is the face-to-face. Local producers and artisans are right there behind their tables, pouring, slicing, explaining. Buyers chat, sip, sample, and leave with bags of fresh, small-batch goods straight from the people who made them. It’s a market, but it’s also a social morning—friends bump into each other, families drift between stands, and tourists fold into the routine like regulars.
What to eat and drink
Food is the headline act. Expect homemade cheeses in styles that run from fresh and mild to aged and sharp; just-fried töpörtyű (cracklings) and rich hams; syrups and preserves made from orchard fruit; fresh and dried fruit by the scoop; rustic bakery classics; cakes; and rétes (strudel) in a lineup of fillings. Many vendors offer tasters, so you can build a breakfast from bites as you go. On the drinks side, look for homemade fruit syrups, fragrant pálinka, and a strong showing of local wines that capture the volcanic soils of the region. Buy a glass, take home a bottle, or both.
Handmade, old, and one-of-a-kind
Beyond food and drink, there’s a proper trove of craftsmanship and curiosities. Woodcarvings and handmade decor share space with delicate white ceramics perfumed and patterned with lavender or rose, and unique gift items perfect for tucking into a weekend bag. Antique hunters can browse old books, vintage objects, and those special oddities that only appear when you aren’t looking for them.
Practical tips
– Bring cash. Not every trader accepts cards.
– Come early for a calmer browse and the full selection.
– Stay late if you like a livelier scene—late morning can be shoulder-to-shoulder.
– Dogs and kids are part of the vibe, but keep an eye on both around hot ovens and crowded stalls.
Places to stay and linger
If you want to make a weekend of it, you’re in the right valley. Káptalantóti sits cradled by four hills, with the lake roughly 2.5 miles away, and neighbors like Badacsonytomaj, Salföld, and Mindszentkálla offering easy excursions. Several guesthouses at the village edge rent three separate apartments, each with its own kitchen and bathroom—ideal if you want to shop the market, then grill and sip wine in the evening. The surroundings are built for slow days: hikes on volcanic slopes, vineyard visits, and quiet dusks on garden terraces.
Eat with a view
On the southwestern slope of Tóti Hill, a family estate with spectacular exposure has hosted a kitchen led by the family’s daughter, Csilla Istvándy, since 2010. Up there, the restaurant shares a hillside with a soccer field and a playground—space to burn off kid energy while adults enjoy plates and glasses shaped by the same land. It’s a natural extension of a market morning: local ingredients, big skies, unrushed hours.
Wines from volcanic soils
For a focused wine stop, head to the Sabar Hill Winery on the Badacsony wine route. The seven-hectare, quality-driven cellar leans international in style—concentrated, energetic wines with moderate alcohol. Most of the lineup is white varietals, but they also make rosé and red, and select premium barrels for their top cuvées. It’s a smart place to understand what the region’s basalt underfoot does in the glass.
Contacts and notes
Address: 8283 Káptalantóti, Petőfi St. 1.
Organizer: Ildikó Harmathy
Phone and info requests are available via the market’s listed contacts.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
A Sunday that feels like a tradition
What began as a casual idea among friends became the Káli Basin’s favorite weekly meetup of makers and market-goers. Liliomkert ties together breakfast, shopping, and small adventures under one sky—part pantry restock, part open-air reunion. Show up hungry, leave with brimming bags, and plan to come back the next week.
