Balatonboglar wine region

Travel Guide to Balatonboglar Wine Region

The Wonderful Wines and Terroir of Balatonboglar      

Balatonboglar is a Hungarian wine region that is located on the southern shores of Lake Balaton. The region is known for its excellent terroir that is perfect for the growth of red and white grape varietals. The wines produced in this region are considered to be some of the highest quality wines in Hungary and the region has recently begun to make sparkling wines.

The Balatonboglar wine making area stretches for 50km long along the southern shores of Lake Balaton and in some places stretches for 25km wide. The majority of the vineyards are planted on the slopes of the south west facing hillsides at approximately 300 meters above sea level. The towns that are included in the region are Andocs, Balatonberény, Balatonboglár, Balatonendréd, Balatonkeresztúr, Balatonlelle, Balatonszemes, Karád, Kéthely, Kőröshegy, Kötcse, Látrány, Lengyeltóti, Marcali, Ordacsehi, Somogysámson, Somogytúr, Szólád, Szőlősgyörök, Visznek and Zamárdi.

The climate of Balatonboglar is mild but can also become extremely hot during certain years. There are long hours of sunshine with an average annual precipitation of 600-800 mm. The terroir of the region consists mainly of clay and sandy sediments that were deposited by the Pannonian Sea and later covered with loess. This terroir has now been overlain with loam soils that provide the perfect conditions for viticulture.

The Red, White and Sparkling Wines of Balatonboglar

The terroir of the Balatonboglar region is perfect for the cultivation of vines and the production of smooth and silky wines. The wines of the region are mostly reductive and light with fruity aromas and a soft acidity. They are graceful and simple wines although more complex blended wines can be made using Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes. The red wines of Balatonboglar are soft and mellow with low tannins. In recent times, Balatonboglar has become increasingly recognised for the production of sparkling wines.

Balatonboglar Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Balatonboglar Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

Where to Spend your Time when in Balatonboglar    

Xantus Janos - Gombkilato - The Spherical Lookout Tower

The Xantus Janos – Gombkilato is a spherical lookout tower that has become a symbol of Balatonboglar. The structure is 15 meters in diameter and stands at 60 meters high from the level of Lake Balaton. It offers some of the most spectacular views of the lake and is a national heritage site in Hungary. The lookout can be accessed by visitors for a small entrance fee.

Voros Kapolna - The Blue and Red Chapels of Balatonboglar

Voros Kapolna is a hill in Balatonboglar that is also known as the hill of arts. On the hill is the park of St. Elizabeth that connects the two blue and red chapels of Balatonboglar. The chapels are used to house legendary exhibitions and also hold regular worship ceremonies. The red chapel is a Neo Gothic structure which was built in 1857 while the blue chapel which also has the same architectural style was built in 1856. The hill on which the churches are located provides wonderful views of the surrounding areas.

Balaton Csavargozos Muemlek Hajo - The ship of Lake Balaton

Balaton Csavargozos Muemlek Hajo is a historical ship that is located on the shores of Lake Balaton. The ship was bult in 1872 and became a monument of Balatonboglar in 2012. Visitors to the ship can learn more about the history of steam ships in Hungary and see its various cultural and historical exhibitions.

Step Back into Time at Fischl Ház

The Fischl House is the home of the local history museum and the local workshops exhibition in Balatonboglar. The original house was renovated in 1995 and although it is a museum, it is also a popular venue for social events and important occasions in Balatonboglar. On the ground floor of the building is the Balatonboglar tourism office as well as an exhibition of handicrafts of the Boglárka Tradition Preservation Circle, the works of potter Mária Bakonyi Kapitány, folk craftswork, Légli ceramics, Béla Varga's relics, József Kocsis' Hunting Trophies and numerous archaeological exhibitions.

Step Outside in Balatonboglar     

So far, the most striking feature of the natural beauty of Balatonboglar is the incredible Lake Balaton. The lake and its shores are a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty of Balatonboglar and participate in a range of outdoor activities. Along with the lake there are a number of other natural attractions that make Balatonboglar a paradise for nature lovers.

Platan Strand - The Beach of Balatonboglar       

Platan Beach is the largest swimming beach in Balatonboglar. The free access beach provides a wonderful range of activities and facilities for visitors to enjoy including the Bubbles Adventure Bath which has a range of water games and slides for children.

Kisfaludi Templomrom - The Kisfauldi Church Ruins

Atop of the Kopasz Hill in Balatonboglar one can visit the remains of the former Kisfauldi Chuch, the ruins consist of a few stumps of the old buildings set against the breath-taking panorama of the Kali Basin. The history of the church dates back to 1335 and the site of the ruins forms part of the Theodora Kekko educational trail for history lovers and visitors wanting to learn more about Balatonboglar.

The Cuisine of the Balatonboglar Region    

Balatonboglar offers visitors a wide range of different dining and cuisine experiences which include traditional meals and more modern international cuisines. When paired with the excellent local wines, the cuisine of Balatonbogla is a wonderful gastronomic experience.

Ranolder Cheese - The Local Cheese of Hungary  

Ranolder is a hard traditional Hungarian cheese that is produced in Veszprem. The cheese is made from pasteurized full fat cow’s milk and is matured for 7 months. While the cheese is maturing, the rind is washed in Merlot for extra flavour. It is recommended that Ranolder Cheese be served with dried fruit.

Hal Paprikas - Hungarian fish stew

Hal Paprikas is also known as Fis Paprikas. This dish is a traditional fish stew that is cooked in a large cast iron cauldron over an open fire. The fish stew is spicy in flavour and is normally made using a variety of different freshwater fish such as carp, pike, catfish and starlet. The flavour of the stew is thanks to the use of large amounts of ground red paprika which can range from mild to extremely hot. The stew is normally served with noodles and accompanied by hot paprika on the side so that people can increase the spiciness if they would like to. Hal Paprikas is so popular in Vallany that the region hosts numerous Hal Paprikas cooking competitions throughout the year.

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