Badacsonytomaj: Culture, Nature and Wine

Badacsonytomaj offers a range of points of interest for a stay focused on architectural history, nature and wine. Its attractions range from a house in the peasant Baroque style and a basalt church to an arboretum and nature interpretation. Wine tours and tastings are also available, but only by prior appointment.

Architectural History and Museums

The Szegedy-Róza House was built in 1790 in the peasant Baroque style and now serves as a museum. The remarkable fireplace is also preserved there; the poet wrote his stories by its fire. The house and fireplace thus connect the building’s construction period with a literary history.

A much later example is the twin-towered Roman Catholic Church of St. Imre. It was built in 1931–1932 to plans by architect Fábián Gáspár. Its construction period and use of basalt make it a different architectural subject from the 1790 house; it is considered the only church in Central Europe built of basalt.

The former home of Egry József is also located near the harbor. It has been renovated and serves as a museum. This adds two distinct museum themes to the architectural sights: the Szegedy-Róza House and its fireplace, and the painter’s former home.

Arboretum and Nature

In the district of Badacsonyörs, the Folly Arboretum covers 3.6 hectares. Its collection consists mainly of evergreen plants. Guided garden walks with a tour guide take place there regularly throughout the year. They are among the arboretum’s recurring and popular programs.

The Badacsony Geological and Botanical Nature Trail has a different focus: its bilingual information boards cover geological and geomorphological topics as well as botanical and zoological natural features. They also address the traditional, nature-friendly forms of land use typical of the area. The boards therefore look not only at plants and animals, but also at the geological conditions and use of the landscape.

An expert-guided tour of the nature trail by the Balaton Uplands National Park Directorate can be arranged on request. Visitors interested in this option can take it into account when planning.

Wine and Tours by Appointment

The Winegrowing and Winemaking Research Institute of the Agricultural Science Centre at the University of Pannonia is a stop on the Badacsonyi Wine Route. Vineyard and cellar tours, as well as wine tastings, are available by prior appointment. Since visits require an appointment, check the contact arrangements before travelling.

Hableány also offers guided winery tours and wine tastings by prior appointment. Both options appeal to wine enthusiasts, but take visitors to different places: one is based at the research institute, the other at the Hableány winery. Prior booking is required for both when making specific plans.

More Attractions in the Wider Destination of North Balaton

The wider destination of North Balaton includes other places with their own distinct attractions. Boat trips are offered at the Tapolca Lake Cave, which also has the guided exhibition “Csodálatos karszt” (“Wonderful Karst”). The cave is part of a cave system beneath the town that has been explored to a length of 14.6 kilometres to date. Another geological attraction is Hegyestű, between Zánka and Monoszló: the 337-metre-high mountain reveals the interior of a basalt volcano that was active about eight million years ago. At the viewpoint on the western edge of the quarry site, visitors can use a panoramic information board to identify the surrounding hills; Hegyestű also has a rock garden featuring characteristic rock types of Transdanubia.

Discover more destinations: Balatonhenye, Káptalantóti, Lesencetomaj, Nemesvita, Gyulakeszi, Balatonederics, Kapolcs, Tapolca.

Back to the wider travel overview: Tapolcai.