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Itinerary
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1st day: Arrival
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Individual arrival in Budapest. Walk in the downtown, along the Danube and castle district. Accommodation in Budapest.
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2nd day: Along the Danube from Budapest to Visegrád
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(43 km)
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Leave Budapest along the Danube bank. Stop at Szentendre and have a look round the village of artists You can visit here the Open-Air Museum of Ethnography or Kovács Margit Pottery Museum. Pedal towards Leányfalu, where you can cross the Danube by ferry. Follow on Szentendre Island to Kisoroszi. Arriving here cross the Danube again by ferry to Visegrád.
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In Visegrád visit the Royal Palace and the ruins of medieval castle. Enjoy the panoramic view of Danube Bend. Until 6pm you can relax in the warm water of Lepence strand on the hill side. Accommodation in Visegrád.
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3rd day: Along the Danube from Visegrád to Esztergom
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(27 km)
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Cross the Danube to Nagymaros. You can cycling along left side of Danube through Zebegény to Szob. Cross the Danube at Szob to Pilismarót and proceed towards Esztergom.
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Esztergom is an ancient royal town, often called as the pearl of the Danube-bend. You can not miss the Basilica, on the top of Castle Hill, which is largest cathedral of Hungary, with the red marble Bakócz Chapel, the collection of treasury, the crypt. Climb up the bell tower and cupola from where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Esztergom with Danube.
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Also worthwhile to visit the ruins of Palace in the Castle museum, the rich collection of world-famous Christian Museum and walk on the Maria Valeria Bridge. Accommodation in Esztergom.
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4th day: Esztergom - Tata
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(53 km)
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Cycling through vineyards and on the diversified territory of the wooded hills of Gerecse to Tata, the town of waters. Visit the ruins of the Royal water- castle and Benediction monastery. Hungarian Kings Charles Robert and Sigmund, King Matthias were regular residents of the castle. Beside the baroque buildings of the town is worth seeing the Miklós-mill, Clock-tower, and Öreg-pond.
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Accommodation in Tata.
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5th day: Tata - Mór
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(39 km)
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Today you will cycle from Tata to Mór, the little town, famous for its wines and vineyards. The town lies in the picturesque Rift Valley of Mór, which separates the Vértes and the Bakony Mountains. Visit the characteristic architectural buildings of the town, like the Copf style Láncos Castle, the Baroque Lamberg Castle, the Lamberg-cellar from 18th century and old cellar row at the foot of the Vértes.
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You can taste the famous Hungaricum wine of historical Móri wine growing region, the " Ezerjó" (thousand goods). Accommodation in Mór.
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6th day: Mór - Zirc
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(54 km)
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On the road to Zirc you will make a detour to the Gothic ruins of Csesznek Castle in the Bakony Mountains.
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Castle of Csesznek is one of the most picturesque ruins of Transdanubia. The castle built after the years of the Mongol invasion of Hungary in 1241-42 and controlled the road between Veszprém and Győr. It had several owners through the history; it was also in Turkish hands for a couple of years. It had an important role in Rákóczi's war of independence.
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From Csesznek you will pedal between the hills of Bakony towards Zirc.
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Zirc, the capital of Bakony was founded by French Cistercians in 1182. The famous European monastery had been destroyed, today only a few pillars can be seen, but you can visit here the Baroque church, Library with more than 60000 volumes, Museum of Natural Sciences and the world famous Arboretum.
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Accommodation in Zirc.
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7th day: Zirc -Veszprém- Balatonfüred
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(50 km)
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Today you will cycle down from the forest-covered slopes of the Bakony Hills through the sunny Balaton-uplands to the Lake Balaton. Stop on the road at the thousand-year-old royal town Veszprém, built on seven hills. Veszprém often called as the "city of queens", because the bishop of Veszprém was granted the right of crowning the queens of Hungary.
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The castle district of Veszprém , with its museums and galleries offers you an unforgettable program.. You can find here interesting sights of Hungary's second biggest historic castle-unit still in use: the gateway to Castle, Fire Lookout Tower, Gizella Chapel, Holy Trinity Square , St Michael's Cathedral, the statue of St Stephen the King and Queen Gisella..
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From Veszprém you can pedal on the recently completed cycle road until Balatonalmádi. You can proceed towards Balatonfüred along the Lake Balaton through nice villages: Káptalanfüred, Alsóörs, Lovas, Palóznak, Csopak, Arács. Accommodation in Balatonfüred.
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8th day: Balatonfüred
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On this "day of rest" you can explore the sights of Balatonfüred, walk in the Tagore promenade, visit the Abbey of Tihany, discover the varied landscape and unique geological value of Tihany Peninsula or Koloska valley, take a trip by ship to Siófok, relax in one of the beautiful strands, sail on the Lake Balaton, or taste the famous wines of the region in an old wine cellar.
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Accommodation in Balatonfüred.
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9th day: Balatonfüred-Tapolca
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(47 km)
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Today you will ride to Tapolca, first along the Lake Balaton on the bicycle road until Zánka and then in the meandering roads of Káli Basin through quiet villages. Tapolca was a centre of wine trading in the north Balaton region over the past centuries. Getting acquainted with Tapolca, walking around lake Malom (Mill). Accommodation in Tapolca.
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10th day: Tapolca-Sümeg-Keszthely
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(55 km)
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On the road to Keszthely you will ride along Hegyesd, Sümeg, Rezi and Tátika Hills hide the ruins of old castles. You can discover a Buddhist Stupa, near Zalaszántó on the top of Kovácsi Hill. Slopes and rises diversify the route as it leads through romantic villages of the Balaton-Highlands. Accommodation in Keszthely.
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11th day: Keszthely
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A whole day in Keszthely, give you the chance for getting acquainted with the town, visit the baroque Festetics Castle, bathing and relaxing. You can also cycle to Héviz, and bath in Europe's largest thermal lake (5 km).
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Accommodation in Keszthely.
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12th day: Keszthely - Badacsony-Balatonfenyves
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(36 km
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You will ride on the northern shore of Lake Balaton through Balatongyörök and Szigliget to Badacsony. Don't miss the last ship at Badacsony to Fonyód, because you should cross the lake by ship. During the day you can walk up to the ruin of Szigliget castle, taste the famous wines in a cool wine cellar of Badacsony, relax at one of the nice beaches of the Lake Balaton, or climb the look-out towers of Fonyód twin peaks to enjoy the panorama.
Accommodation in Balatonfenyves.
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13th day: Departure
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Individual departure depending on the timetable.
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