Vonyarcvashegy on the northern shore of Lake Balaton packs the calendar with concerts, theater, festivals, and beachside fun, plus a mix of guaranteed and optional leisure programs all year. With nearly 2,400 residents, its streets run from the lake’s edge up into the Keszthely Hills, where sweeping views reward hikers. No wonder the town’s slogan is: “Behind us the forest, before us the water.” Explore the village and its surroundings for countless excursions within and beyond the resort’s borders.
Key December Dates
On 2025.12.06, the 200-year-old Festetics Helikon Taverna Cellar opens its doors for Open Cellar Days in Vonyarcvashegy, pouring Balaton wines in a centuries-old vaulted space. The same day, families can jump into the festive spirit at the Mikulásváró Afternoon, also in Vonyarcvashegy. The Helikon Taverna’s Open Cellar Days return on 2025.12.13, 2025.12.20, and 2025.12.27, inviting visitors to taste local vintages and soak up the historical ambiance.
Stay Close to the Action
Just 984 feet from Vonyarcvashegy station and 1,312 feet from the lakeshore, FĂ©szek Restaurant & Apartment House features a coverable outdoor pool and free parking. Each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen, a shower bathroom, TV, and a terrace overlooking the garden and pool. Fishing is available within 1,640 feet, while water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking/canoeing are about 1,969 feet away.
Vacationing at Balaton? Book into Jáger Guesthouse, built in one of the town’s most scenic spots, 3.1 miles from Keszthely on the northern shore. It blends modern comfort with the personal atmosphere you only get from a private house. Another lakeside option: a holiday hotel just 492 feet from the shore, with 39 rooms (double, triple, and quadruple), each with a bathroom, WC, and a balcony gazing out at Central Europe’s largest lake. All rooms come with satellite TV, telephone, and fridge; rates include a lavish buffet breakfast.
Wellness With a View
Zenit Hotel Balaton**** sits close to HĂ©vĂz, Keszthely, and the lake, boasting a panoramic terrace, the Bock Bistro restaurant for unique culinary experiences, and an interactive wine exhibition hall. Expect elegant, modern rooms with lake views, connecting family rooms with direct garden access, suites, and premium suites for a quiet retreat. Families are especially well catered for: the hotel is by the Balaton Uplands National Park in a wooded, clean-air setting, yet still near the water. Kids get a playground, outdoor games, a pool area with a children’s pool and slide, and an indoor playroom.
Eat, Sip, Repeat
The over-200-year-old Festetics cellar sets the mood with old-world charm, paired with the Bacchus restaurant’s culinary lineup. The four-armed wooden statue at the entrance and a Bacchus wall painting inside nod to the harmony of wine, gastronomy, and art.
Bock Bistro Balaton has welcomed guests since February 2014 under the renowned Bock Bistro franchise, inside the historic Helikon Taverna building. The name signals a complete hospitality experience—from dishes to perfectly matched, top-quality wines—delivered with relaxed elegance. The philosophy: food should arrive looking and tasting at its best. The flavors are consistent, and gluten- and lactose-sensitive guests are welcome.
Papp and Sons Wine Cellar (Papp és Fiai Borpince) and the Csereze Wine Bar pour varietals typical of the Balaton Uplands wine region, blending traditional and modern techniques to craft barrel-aged, quality wines. The 200-year-old, nationally protected Helikon Taverna Museum and Cellar, part of the Zenit Hotel Balaton**** complex, preserves century-old lakeside architecture; beneath its arches, the best wines from Balaton’s vineyards await.
Local wineries aim to produce high-quality barrel and bottled wines with strong consumer appeal, marrying heritage with modern winemaking. Their bottles are available both retail and wholesale, and they appear at local and national events.
Pizza, Parties, Panoramas
Craving something casual? Find Neapolitan-style pizza, tapas platters, soft drinks, Balaton wines, and standout cocktails—plus apartments with stellar lake views—at a versatile venue perfect for unforgettable weddings, anniversary surprises, birthday bashes with friends, or even conferences.
Terasz Restaurant & Pizzeria (Terasz Étterem & Pizzeria) in Vonyarcvashegy serves a broad menu, with a playground, and welcomes kids, grown-ups, and even four-legged guests. The star attraction: crispy pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven right in the dining area. Under the timbered roof, fans keep things breezy, while a front-garden playground helps little ones pass the time and gives parents a breather. Open spring through autumn for lovers of the Balaton summer.
Organizers reserve the right to change programs and dates.
