Dreaming of gliding across Lake Balaton’s (Balaton) sparkling blue waters with the wind carrying you toward adventure? Renting the Phoenix sailboat might just be the highlight of your summer. What sets this experience apart isn’t just the boat’s classic look, but the 64 years of sailing expertise behind each trip—so you’re guaranteed a safe, memorable journey, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sailor.
Lake Balaton Sailing—More Than Just a Boat Ride
There’s more to sailing on Lake Balaton (Balaton) than simply catching wind in your sails. The Phoenix is available for a wide range of activities, so there’s truly something for everyone. Craving a taste of freedom on the waves? You’re covered. Want to drift through a romantic sunset with a loved one? It’s just you, the horizon, and the gentle lapping of the water. Bringing kids along? Epic summer camp memories await. And for couples seeking an out-of-the-ordinary spot for engagement photos—yes, your Instagram will thank you.
Sailing isn’t just about fun. It’s also perfect as a team-building exercise. Facing ever-changing weather, reading the wind, cooperating on deck—it’s an environment that demands intelligence and creativity, guaranteed to bring something new out in every participant. No day on the water is ever the same. By the time you dock again, you’ll be sharper and full of stories to share.
Unplug, Unwind, and Find Your Freedom
Get lost in the rhythm of moving across the waves, and you’ll forget the world onshore even exists. That floating, free feeling—that sense that you can go anywhere—is what makes a day (or more) on the Phoenix so special. Let the moment take over. This is your ticket to real relaxation.
Planning your calendar? The Phoenix is anchored in Balatonboglár on the south shore between July 21 and September 20, 2025, with weekly rentals available during that period. Just look for the double blue masts in the marina!
Balatonboglár: The Laid-Back Heart of the South
Balatonboglár is where you truly find the family-friendly side of Lake Balaton (Balaton). The water’s shallow—it’s a dream for kids—and the town is all about easygoing summer living. Many of the area’s guesthouses are located in peaceful neighborhoods like the Jankovich Holiday Resort (Jankovich üdülőtelep), just a five-minute stroll from the leafy, free-access beach and about a 15–20 minute walk from the center and the marina.
The guesthouse is positioning itself as a lifestyle center as well, happy to host workshops, therapies, or wellness retreats. If you’re seeking self-improvement, health, or simply some peace and quiet, you’ll feel at home. The goal is to bridge people, ideas, and worlds—no matter how different.
Where to Stay: From Villas to Hostels
Balatonboglár offers a variety of accommodations: the Kuria Guesthouse (Kúria Panzió), Babel Apartments, and Babel Hostel are nestled in a 13.5-acre leafy park, complete with a ruin pub and a wine cellar club hosting live music of every genre. Want your own space? The centrally located apartment house features tastefully furnished flats for families, couples, business travelers, or solo adventurers—great for long weekends or family gatherings.
You’ll also find a modern college dormitory for budget travelers, as well as year-round, fully equipped apartments with all the comforts—cable TV, bedrooms with linens, kitchen (gas stove, microwave, fridge, coffee and tea makers, dishes, utensils), and a private shower and toilet.
Most guest rooms come with private bathrooms, air conditioning on request (for a fee), and free WiFi. Some options put you just 100 yards from the Fiumei Free Beach (Fiumei szabadstrand), while others offer quiet streets and lush gardens barely 820 yards from the lakeshore.
Wine Country Awaits
Balatonboglár isn’t just about the water—it sits at the heart of one of Hungary’s historic wine regions. Chapel Hill’s (Kápolnahegy) wines and sparkling wines, produced by Balatonboglár Wine Estate Ltd. (Balatonboglári Borgazdasági Zrt., or simply BB, founded in 1956), are among the region’s major success stories, thanks to volcanic, sandy soils and sunlight reflected from the lake.
Tourist-friendly wine routes wind through the gentle hills of Somogy County (Somogy megye). The Pávics Family Winery (Pávics családi pincészet), for example, crafts excellent Chardonnays, Királyleányka, Irsai Olivér, Tramini, and Merlot. You’re invited to their welcoming wine tavern to sample bottle-aged or fresh local reds, whites, and rosés.
If you’re feeling hungry after all that tasting, Gianpiero’s Restaurant (Gianpiero étterem) offers contemporary European dishes (including pizzas, pastas, and salads) under the shade of centuries-old plane trees, only 165 yards from the water.
Raise a Glass, Stay a While
Family-owned vineyards stretch up to 44 acres, with grapes aged in cellars both in Balatonboglár and Szőlőskislak, just 2 miles south. Guided tastings, accommodation, and tours are always available—these are places where you’re welcomed like family, the wine flows, and every day feels like a celebration.
So whether you’re after the wind on your face or a glass (or two) of award-winning Muscat bubbly, the southern shore of Lake Balaton (Balaton)—especially Balatonboglár—is waiting, ready to deliver a truly memorable summer.
