10 Enchanting Things To Do in Tihany at Lake Balaton, Hungary

Tihany adventure: Lavender fields, lake views, legends, and incredible things to do in this picturesque little town.

Situated on the largest sweetwater lake in Europe, Lake Balaton, you will find the cutest little town called Tihany. On my trip to Hungary in Autumn 2025, I made a short stop in Tihany to see why people love it so much. And oh my… Tihany looks like it’s straight out of a storybook! This quaint little village had a unique charm that stirred something I hadn’t felt before. Make your own little adventure with these best things to do in Tihany!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. We only promote products and services we 100% believe in. Thank you so much for supporting us! Read more about it in our disclosure policy.

About Tihany

Tihany is one of the most charming stops around Lake Balaton and is absolutely worth a visit.

Sitting on a small peninsula, the village is best known for its iconic Benedictine Abbey, which towers above the lake and offers beautiful panoramic views. Walking through Tihany feels like stepping into a postcard, with cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and little souvenir shops selling local lavender products.

Tihany is also a town of magical legends, which I will tell you about later in this post.

How to get to Tihany

Getting to Tihany is easy, as it is only about 140 km from Budapest. There are several ways to reach this peninsula; let me tell you about them.

Car – My absolute favorite way to reach Tihany is by car (it’s less than 2 hours). As I was traveling in my campervan through Hungary, this was the only way for me. And let me tell you, the drive was incredibly scenic! Renting a car in Budapest is easy, and the drive is so worth it!

If you choose to rent a car, I highly recommend using DiscoverCars. They will give you great, honest prices and the best coverage!

Train – You can also reach Tihany by train. From Budapest-Kelenföld, there’s a direct train to Balatonfüred. From there, you can take a bus to Tihany. The total trip will take you 2,5 hours.

Bus – Visiting Tihany by bus is also a great option. From the Budapest Népliget bus station, you can take several buses to reach Tihany. The total trip will take you 3 hours

Tours – There are also tours available to tihany, that are perfect if you don’t want the hassle of the options above. These are some great, affordable tours I recommend:

Getting around in Tihany

The town of Tihany isn’t actually that big, so getting around on foot is the way to go! However, if your time is limited and you want to see as much as possible, make sure to hop aboard the Kisvonat. This little locomotive train will take you to all the beautiful sights of this hilly town in a really fun way!

Where to stay in Tihany

If you want to see a bit more of Tihany or Lake Balaton, I highly recommend spending a night or two in Tihany. Here are some accommodations I recommend for every type of traveler:

Luxury – Hotel Club Tihany

Unique stay – the Herbalist

Best price/quality – Vánkoska Apartman Tihany

Budget – Mandula Villa

Family – Vánkoska Apartman Tihany

Best things to do in Tihany

Now, without any further ado, let’s dive in!

Visit the Benedictine Abbey and its museum

When visiting Tihany, you must visit the beautiful Benedictine Abbey. This is the one church that gives Tihany its lovely charm. With its picturesque white towers and the unique 18th-century frescoes inside, you can take a peek into Hungary’s history. You can even see some of the earliest written Hungarian words, dating back to the 1000s.

And don’t forget to take some pictures of this church!

Visit the crypt of King Andrew I

And if you want to meet the man who founded the Abbey, you actually can!

In a way…

Right beneath the Benedictine Abbey, you will find the crypt of King Andrew I. With a beautiful, captivating statue perched on top of the crypt, this place is a must-see for any history buff.

Eat (and drink) local food (lavender)

Of course, a trip to a town famous for its lavender can only mean one thing… Or should I say a hundred things?

Because, yes, from lavender ice cream to lavender coffee to lavender beer, there are hundreds of lavender-related products, local to this town.

But if you don’t feel like trying everything lavender and having your farts smell like an air freshener, these are the things that are actually worth trying: Lavender ice cream and lavender spritz.

The lavender ice cream was so delicious, I’m craving it just thinking about its delightful taste. You will find ice cream stalls all around the village, and my tip to you is: try the ice cream of the stall that pulls you in the most. Because it tastes good everywhere, you get to decide the aesthetics of your lavender ice cream experience.

And the lavender spritz was just delicious. You will find alcoholic and non-alcoholic (more like lemonade) versions on every terrace in town. So if you’re having a meal in Tihany, this is the perfect drink to pair it with!

P.S. Wondering about the Lavender beer? It wasn’t that good in my experience, but that’s because I like really strong beers. I did take some bottles home with me, as souvenirs, and one of my friends really loved them!

Also, I took home some lavender coffee and when made into a cappuccino, I find that it tastes like flower cookies. Interesting, but absolutely delicious!

Try out some Hungarian dishes

Yep, that’s right. I couldn’t fit my passion for food in just one section, so I made a second one.

In Tihany, you will also find several spots where you can eat typical Hungarian dishes.

So I went ahead and had lunch at the place that really caught my attention, with its quirky chimney. I went in and sat down on the beautifully charming terrace, in the sun (which was very welcoming, as it was October).

I ordered some goulash soup with Langos hat (that’s some traditional bread), and a lavender beer. And besides burning my tongue on the soup (take this as a warning, be patient with the soup), it was absolutely delicious!

The restaurant is called Tüzkert Étterem, and I highly recommend visiting. There are more traditional restaurants in town, but I haven’t been to them, so can’t tell you if the food is good or not 😊

Learn about lavender at the Lavender House

And if you’re not tired of the lavender yet (better hope you’re not), it’s time to visit the Lavender House!

Because really, aren’t you wondering by now: What’s up with all the lavender?

Well, a visit to the Lavender house it is. Because this house is not all about pretty purple flowers, no, it’s actually an interactive museum! You’ll learn all about lavender farming and its history. I found this museum quite interesting, as it wasn’t at all what I expected.

So I highly recommend stopping by the Lavender House!

Take a look inside the Paprika House

Yep, as a not-so-smooth change of flavor, the Paprika House should be next on your itinerary. The house itself looks a bit quirky, with dried paprika hanging from the walls throughout. But did you know that Hungary is known for its paprika? Hence, the paprika-dedicated house, I guess…

But visiting the Paprika House was actually a fun stop. I’m a true foodie, so it was like a paprika-filled heaven! You can buy all sorts of paprika spices, from sweet to sharp, it’s all there!

Go shopping for everything lavender

Oops, I couldn’t go too long without talking about lavender (guess what my favorite flower is). Because after trying out different lavender products, you have to stop by all the different shops! Okay, not all of them, since what they sell is pretty much the same everywhere, but each shop still has its own cute features.

At some of the shops, you can even taste a lot of different things, from liquors to pastes, and try out all sorts of soaps, oils, and balms.

I loved walking around and filling my basket with everything that tasted or smelled good (no regrets), and leaving town with a whole lotta lavender.

Take a stroll down the Pisky sétány promenade

I probably don’t need to mention this promenade here, as you will inevitably stumble upon it yourself. But still, I found this place so special, I have to tell you about it!

Because while visiting in October, the town was nearly empty. So I had all the good photo spots to myself, and the best ones are on this Promenade. Not only will you find stunning views of the lake and the Abbey, but you will also find hidden alleys, artworks, and so much more!

So make sure to take your time here, and if you’re visiting in summer, I highly recommend taking an early morning stroll down the promenade!

Taste some local wine at Ferenc Pince Csárda

In my world, a trip without tasting any wine is basically meaningless. And no, I’m not an alcoholic, I’m just really into a good glass of wine, and oh my, did I find it in Hungary. I never even knew that Hungary made wines before visiting.

Because apparently, Lake Balaton is THE wine region of Hungary, you have to sit down and taste some. And the best place to do this in Tihany is definitely Ferenc Pince Csárda. Located a bit uphill and featuring a wonderful terrace with lake views, this is not just a place for wine tasting; it’s an experience in itself.

Oh, and they have delicious traditional Hungarian food.

You literally have no reason not to go 😉

Go out onto Lake Balaton

It’s pretty lovely, visiting a lake and all, but you gotta make sure to go onto the lake as well! And this quest can be done in many ways. You can go sailing, paddleboarding, swimming, or, if you’re really sporty, you can go windsurfing or wingfoiling. I’m really not sure if Tihany is the best place for doing this, but you get the point. Many spots on the lake are popular with surfers, so it’s definitely an option!

The legends of Tihany

And do you know what makes Tihany such a lovely town, with a magical atmosphere?

The legends of course! Let me tell you a bit about them…

The most famous legend is tied to the Echo of Tihany. According to local lore, a beautiful princess once lived in the hills above the lake. She fell deeply in love with a shepherd, but her strict father forbade their relationship. Heartbroken, the princess wandered the cliffs and cried out in despair. The rocks answered her voice, repeating her words across the water. Some say the echo is the princess herself, forever calling out to her lost love. Though the echo has faded over time, the story remains one of Tihany’s most romantic and melancholic tales.

Another powerful legend surrounds King Andrew I of Hungary, who founded the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany in 1055. It is said that the king chose this sacred hill after receiving a divine sign, believing higher powers protected it. After his death, he was buried in the abbey crypt, making it one of the few royal burial places still in its original location. Locals believe his spirit continues to watch over the peninsula, guarding it from harm.

There are also whispers of hidden tunnels and treasures beneath the abbey and surrounding hills. Some legends claim monks once hid valuable manuscripts and relics underground during times of invasion. Despite centuries of searching, no confirmed treasures have been found—adding to the mystery.

Together, these legends give Tihany its timeless charm, blending love, faith, and mystery into the landscape that continues to enchant visitors today.

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Tihany

Now that you know about all the best things to do in Tihany and even learned about the legends of this charming little peninsula, it’s time to book your trip!

Happy travels!

The 26 Most Incredible Things To Do in Hungary!