Tihany rolls into December with a packed, colorful calendar that blends sacred music, winter ferries glowing across Lake Balaton, playful treasure hunts, and cozy cultural evenings under the abbey’s silhouette. It’s a month-long invitation to explore the Tihany Peninsula’s natural beauty and heritage through experiences that work for families, couples, and solo wanderers alike. Expect exhibitions, concerts, theater, the famous lavender vibe, and a full slate of gastronomy—plus guaranteed and optional leisure programs scattered across multiple venues in and around the village. Bring your walking shoes: the hiking and excursion options, both within and beyond Tihany’s borders, are plentiful—and rewarding.
Guitar Mass at the Benedictine Abbey
On December 6 and December 27, the Benedictine Abbey Church of Tihany (Tihanyi Bencés Apátsági Templom) hosts a guitar-accompanied Mass. The hilltop church is an icon of the peninsula, and the music, stone, and winter air combine for a quietly moving evening—whether you’re observant or simply love atmosphere.
Outdoor Treasure Hunt: Tihany’s Hidden Gems
All month long, the open-air playful tour “In Search of Tihany’s Hidden Treasures” (Tihany rejtett kincsei nyomában) runs in week-long blocks: December 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, and December 29–January 4. It’s a brand-new, unique game designed to get you exploring streets, squares, and buildings with an eye for detail and a sense of adventure. Think team spirit, discovery, and that rare activity that’s fun for kids and genuinely exciting for adults, too. Expect memorable moments rather than just checkpoints—this is a full-on experience, not just a checklist.
Ride the Balaton Light Ferry
The Balaton Light Ferry (Balatoni Fénykomp) connects Tihany and Szántód with glowing winter crossings across the strait. Sailings are set for December 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, and December 29–31. It’s practical—and it’s a vibe. Dark water, lit decks, and the abbey shining from above. Dress warm and bring a camera.
Attic Evenings with Richárd Korzenszky OSB
On December 12, Richárd Korzenszky OSB leads a “Attic Evenings” (Tetőtéri esték) talk in Tihany—an intimate format that has become a local favorite. Also listed as “Attic Evenings at Porta Pacis” (Tetőtéri esték a Porta Pacisban), the program promises reflection and conversation in a snug setting as Advent deepens.
Seasonal Highlights and Advent Music
December sprinkles in more culture: an Advent musical devotion on December 14 adds a quiet glow to the month’s offerings. Listings also note ongoing and seasonal programs rolling from September into December and beyond, as the peninsula pivots from autumn into a winter rhythm.
Stay: From Rustic Charm to Lakeside Calm
Tihany is ready to host larger groups, small families, and couples. Expect options from attic apartments in residential houses to independent rooms; most accept SZÉP cards for payment. Several guesthouses sit close to nature, with en-suite rooms or full apartments, satellite TV in shared lounges, and well-equipped kitchens. Balconies promise panoramic views over the Inner Lake, Lake Balaton, and the abbey. One listing mentions a total capacity of 10 guests; others can accommodate more, including larger groups.
You’ll find stays in the historic old village and near the Inner Lake, with secure parking and bike rentals to unlock family trips along scenic routes. The Balaton Limnological Institute (Balatoni Limnológiai Intézet) guesthouse sits right on the waterfront with 17 air-conditioned rooms—two suites, eight double rooms, and seven triple rooms—for up to 42 guests, all with fridges, televisions, landlines, and Wi‑Fi. Another pension sits 980 feet from the Inner Lake—great for anglers—and next to a Family Leisure Park with outdoor wooden play structures, mini-golf, and bowling. The Lavender House Visitor Center (Levendula Ház), the national park’s visitor center, is open year-round by the lake. For a hotel stay, Aquilo—named for the Roman god of the north wind—boasts the North Shore’s only vantage that looks toward Balatonfüred, its rolling hills, and the northern coast. The in-house active tourism hub arranges memorable outings, including sailing and small-boat rentals.
Eat and Sip: Panoramas, Tradition, and Craft
Tihany’s Benedictine Abbey store showcases house-made products: distinct local sweets, Father Gellért’s (Gellért atya) herbal teas, King Andrew’s and Queen Anastasia’s (András király, Anasztázia királyné) herb-and-lavender liqueurs, plus TICHON monastic beers. The food scene spans real old-school Hungarian cooking to modern, seasonal menus.
Up on Echo Hill (Visszhang-domb), one spot serves a 240-degree sweep of the eastern basin and the abbey—named the 2013 “Lookout Point of the Year.” Its 100-seat terrace suits family lunches, sunset dates, engagements, or weddings, with flexible spaces and tailored menus. Fogas Csárda, 980 feet from the abbey on the village’s north side, pairs homestyle dishes with Balaton wines and a terrace overlooking the Inner Lake, open year-round. Elsewhere, expect grilled plates, warm kitchen fare, regionally typical wines, and hearty bites like farmhouse cold platters and zsíros kenyér. At Echo Residence Luxury Hotel (Echo Residence Luxushotel), an exclusive 50-seat restaurant with an equally sized à la carte terrace layers traditional flavors with inventive new ones, tracking the seasons. For mornings and pit stops, cafés serve breakfasts and coffee, plus cakes, sandwiches, and both soft and alcoholic drinks in child- and dog-friendly spaces. Craving dessert? A local pilgrimage for gelato offers 24 special flavors, all additive-free, crafted from premium natural ingredients, with gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, and vegan options. And for a throwback to grandma’s kitchen, a family-style restaurant bakes much of its menu in a traditional wood-fired oven, right before your eyes.
Raise a Glass: Tihany’s Wine Heritage
The local wine order champions and preserves the Tihany Peninsula’s viticultural tradition, promoting cultured wine drinking and turning wine gastronomy into a draw in itself. Their flagship is Tihany Cabernet—an elegant, richly flavored red grown on these storied slopes, with a captivating aroma and gemstone color that reflect the peninsula’s volcanic ridges. It’s Tihany in a glass—complex, confident, unforgettable.
Note: Organizers reserve the right to change programs and dates.
