Liliomkert Market in Káptalantóti opens every Sunday, year-round, 7:00–14:00, drawing locals and road-trippers to one of the most charming corners of the Balaton Uplands. Born from a friendly chat and brought to life by biologist-engineer Ildikó Harmathy, the now-famous market sits in the Káli Basin, where the stalls and the hills seem to belong together. Best plan: arrive hungry. It’s nearly impossible to stroll past baskets of crackling-studded and cheese pogácsa, mounds of fragrant caraway rolls, or steaming sour-cream lángos fresh from the oven without tasting everything.
Where and when
Address: 8283 Káptalantóti, Petőfi St. 1. Open every Sunday, all year, 7:00–14:00. Expect peak crowds in late morning; early birds get shorter lines and first pick. Bring cash—several vendors don’t accept cards.
What to taste and take home
Producers and artisans sell directly, fueling the easy back-and-forth that gives the market its buzz. Tasting is part of the ritual, and the range is big:
– Foods: farmhouse cheeses, fresh pork cracklings, ham, syrups, preserves, fresh and dried fruits, rustic baked goods, cakes, and strudel (rétes) in multiple fillings.
– Drinks: homemade syrups, pálinka, and local wines.
– Crafts: woodcarvings, handmade decor, white ceramics with lavender and rose motifs, one-of-a-kind gifts.
– Antiques: old objects, books, and curious finds with stories attached.
Meet the mind behind it
The market’s heart is its founder, Ildikó Harmathy, who turned a simple idea into one of the region’s most beloved meeting points for growers and buyers from far beyond Lake Balaton.
Stay nearby
Káptalantóti, hugged by four hills at the village edge, offers a guesthouse with three apartments, each with its own kitchen and bathroom. Lake Balaton is 2.49 miles away; Badacsonytomaj, Salföld, and Mindszentkálla are nearby. Days brim with hikes and tastings; evenings lean into grilling and wine.
Eat on the slope
On the southwest flank of Tóti Hill, an old family estate hosts a kitchen led since 2010 by the family’s daughter, Csilla Istvándy. Next to the restaurant are a soccer field and a playground—wide-open space for families and friends to unwind.
The Sárga Ház escape
The 2,152-square-foot Sárga Ház splits into three roughly 753-square-foot units—Pergola-Ház, Bunker, and VinCellér—each with a living area, dining area, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. There’s also the standalone Kivi House summer kitchen, serving garden-fresh vegetables for mini feasts.
Volcanic wines, easy tempo
From Sabar Hill, a seven-hectare Badacsony winery bottles international-style whites with drive and moderate alcohol, plus rosé and reds. Premium barrels shape their elegant selections.
The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
