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  • Self-guided cycling tour through Hungary - Culinary Delights Bike Tour
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From2,188
Rate in Euros
From2,188
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Hungary – Culinary Delights Bike Tour

(6 Reviews)

Hungary Self-Guided Bike Tour Wine in Country: Experience the wine, cuisine, and culture of the Balaton Uplands by bike. Enjoy relaxed cycling through the Uplands National Park, passing numerous vineyards along the way. There are 7 extinct volcanoes on the north side of the lake, providing ideal conditions for growing wine-producing grapes. You will also visit the 1000-year-old Benedictine Abbey on the Tihany peninsula, as well as the ancient castle ruins in Szigliget. You will also be the guest at a family dinner at Gergely Winery, complete with their own fine wines. This tour is designed to be a relaxing wine tour and bike tour of the Balaton Uplands.

Get your adventure!  
1. Call or email with questions: +1-970-230-5896 or email us. 
2. Book the trip, pay a deposit, and get excited about your adventure!
Book This Tour

Arrival & Departure Locations

Fly in and out of Budapest; transfers are included to Veszprem and from Balatonfüred. If you are arriving to Budapest in advance of the tour’s start, it is best to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel in Budapest (20 min & ~$20 US). See Transport Info
 

Price Includes

  • 7 nights deluxe lodging during the tour
  • 6 bike days with all routes and logistics
  • Day 1 and Day 8 transfers from/to Budapest
  • Briefing at the start, telephone support throughout
  • Welcome drink at orientation
  • 2 Wine Tastings (Gergely Winery, Koczor Winecellar,)
  • 3 gourmet dinners with unlimited high-quality wine at the dinners
  • Maps, route description, Garmin GPS, or GPX file for smartphone navigation
  • 24/7 local support

Not Included: 

Lodging

Included Standard Hotels:
  • Veszprém: Oliva Hotel **** 
  • Balatonfüred: Anna Grand Hotel **** 
  • Szentantalfa: Gergely Winery B&B 
  • Badacsony: Hotel Neptun **** 
  • Balatonfüred: Anna Grand Hotel **** 

About: This tour includes deluxe 4 star hotels and 1 winery/guest house. In Hungary, these are great values with a number of deluxe amenities. All accommodations include private bathroom and a variety of other services. 

 

Optional Add-Ons

Guides & Local Support

Kornél studied tourism and is a guide who has worked in Canada, Vietnam, Peru, the Azore Islands, Spain, Mallorca, who speaks English, German and Spanish. He loves yoga!

Ákos is a Mechanical Engineer and is responsible for the logistics and maintenance. He speaks English, is a cross-country mountain biker, and also a rower. He is truly the Mc Guyver of the team as he always has a solution!

Gábor speaks English, German, and some Norwegian. He is a licensed triathlon coach and studied Economics with a specialty in marketing and tourism.

Tour Highlights
  • Cycle in the most beautiful and peaceful landscape
  • Relax in deluxe 4-star wellness hotels
  • Delicious meals and wine tastings at family wine cellars
  • Balaton Uplands National Park, castle ruins, Balatonfüred wine region
  • Benedict abbey, Nivegy Wine Valley, winery visit & stay
  • Vineyard & volcano cycling, Badascony exploration, Róza Szegedy House hike
  • Szigliget Castle hike with panoramic views
  • Lakeside riding, beautiful views, Koczor Winery visit 

Need to Know: 

  • This tour is mostly a moderate bike tour but we always recommend a minimum amount of cycling experience and preparation, even if using an e-bike.
  • Multi-sport activities can be added such as hiking and paddling.
  • Good multi-purpose shoes are recommended, but minimal cycling gear is necessary; we recommend functional fitness wear.
  • This off-the-beaten trail adventure takes you well out into the Hungarian countryside for a very authentic experience where English is not widely spoken.
  • Travel Insurance is required on all Pure Adventures tours.
  • General resources
Photos
Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day to Vezprem

Your tour starts as you arrive in Veszprem, the City of Queens. Your charming hotel is conveniently located near the castle and the Old Town area. Explore the town and discover the Saint Michael Chapel, where several Hungarian queens have been crowned. We recommend dinner at the hotel, which has a highly rated, authentic Hungarian restaurant. Enjoy regional items on a weekly menu such as dumpling soup, traditional pork stew and homemade plum jam!

Recommended: Arriving in Budapest at least 1 day early and booking a guided city tour with our local expert, Gabor. He is a historian and will give a very thorough and fascinating trip through Old Buda Pest! Inquire at time of booking. We include a transfer from Budapest to Vezprem.

Note: Transfer from either Budapest city or airport to Vezprem is included. If you add extra nights in Budapest, the airport transfer is not included. For that, we recommend an airport shuttle booked through your Budapest hotel.

Overnight: Vezprem

Day 2Veszprem to the Nagyvázsony: 52 km / 32 mi

Today you will ride through the Balaton Uplands at the foot of the Bakony Mountains, to the castle ruins in Nagyvazsony. The route is almost completely on a dedicated bike path and is mostly flat, with some light rolling hills towards the end of the ride. After visiting the enchanting medieval castle ruins, you will ride through quaint, small villages in the Balatonfured wine region. Your accommodation for the night is the storied Anna Grand Hotel, located just 150 meters from Lake Balaton and widely known for its luxurious wellness center. Dinner is on your own tonight, although we do recommend the buffet dinner at your hotel, which specializes in traditional Hungarian cuisine, using quality ingredients from local producers. Perhaps you can try some lángos and Hungarian goulash tonight!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 52 km / 32 mi
Highlights: Uplands landscapes, castle ruins, Balatonfüred wine region
Overnight: Balatonfured

Day 3Loop Ride from Balatonfüred to Balatonalmádi and Back: 36 km / 22 mi

Today’s loop ride will take you into the heart of the Balaton Uplands National Park. You will ride an old Roman road past numerous hillsides covered in grapevines. This route passes numerous vineyards with great views of both the lake and the surrounding hillsides. Accommodation is back at the Anna Grand, where you can enjoy more offerings from the wellness center or take a stroll down the lakefront and enjoy a gelato. Be sure to save room for dinner! You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to/from a small village for a very special dining experience: a 3 course dinner (with wine) at a local eatery that boasts “straight from Grandma’s kitchen.” Simple meals made with honest, good local ingredients.

Meals: breakfast, dinner
Distance: 36 km / 22 mi
Highlights: Balaton Uplands NP, special dinner
Overnight: Balatonfüred

Day 4Balatonfüred to Nivegy Valley Wine District to Szentantalfa: 40 km / 25 mi

This day is sure to create lifelong memories! From your hotel, you will take the bike path to the Tihany Peninsula to visit the 1000-year-old Benedict abbey. The road up to the abbey is quite steep, but not too long. After exploring the abbey, you will ride into the Nivegy Wine Valley, passing more vineyards with views of the ancient extinct volcanoes that give the soil the vital nutrients for growing grapes used for wine. Your final destination for the night is real treat! This family owned & operated winery is also a small inn and the owner is known throughout the area not only for his wine, but also his cooking. He has been featured on several local cooking shows and will have an incredible meal prepared for you this evening, including unlimited wine tasting in the cellar!

Meals: breakfast, dinner
Distance: 40 km / 25 mi
Highlights: Benedict abbey, Nivegy Wine Valley, winery visit & stay
Overnight: Szentantalfa

Day 5Nivegy Valley Wine District to Badacsony: 30 km / 19 mi

Today we leave the winery and continue riding through the Nivegy Valley, passing more vineyards and small towns, enjoying views of the basalt mountainsides and surrounding ancient volcanoes. Your destination is Badacsony, which is beautifully situated at the foot of Badacsony Mountain. Here you can browse the numerous cute shops and markets on the lakefront or hike up to Róza Szegedy House, where the Hungarian poet Sándor Kisfaludy met his wife Róza Szegedy. Accommodation is at the Hotel Neptun, featuring a restaurant with an award winning chef from Budapest. Dinner is on your own but we highly recommend dining here this evening!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 30 km / 19 mi
Highlights: vineyard & volcano cycling, Badascony exploration, Róza Szegedy House hike
Overnight: Badacsony

Day 6Loop Ride from Badacsony to Szigliget: 26 km / 16 mi

Today’s ride is short because you will need some energy and time to hike to the top of Szigliget Castle, situated on top of an extinct volcano. Here you will see the old castle ruins with amazing views of all 7 extinct volcanoes and Lake Balaton itself. Be sure to enjoy some freshly-made gelato at the bottom of the hike – the gelato here is considered by many as some of the best in all of Hungary! Accommodation is back at the Hotel Neptun with dinner on your own. Why not go out and try a local eatery and experience some more, local cuisine? There are many tasty places within walking distance.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 26 km / 16 mi
Highlights: Szigliget Castle hike with panoramic views
Overnight: Badacsony

Day 7Badacsony to Balatonfüred: 45 km / 28 mi

Enjoy a relaxing ride on the bike path along the lakeside, passing beautiful gardens, beaches, small lakeside towns, shops and more. Your destination is once again the refined Anna Grand Hotel. Tonight you will be transferred to a lovely winery for a special farewell dinner and wine tasting. This winery has been in the same family for six generations and is known primarily for their unique and impeccable white wines, which thrive in the area’s outstanding microclimates. A perfect ending to your incredible journey!

Meals: breakfast, dinner
Distance: 45 km / 28 mi
Highlights: lakeside riding, beautiful views, winery visit & meal
Overnight: Balatonfüred

Day 8Departure Day

Today is your departure day but your journey doesn’t have to end here. We are happy to make additional arrangements for you, providing you with our inside tips and suggestions! Please inquire at time of booking.

Note: On return to Budapest, the transfer from Balatonfured to Budapest city center or airport is included; please allow 3 hours. If adding extra nights in Budapest, the airport transfer after extra nights is not included and can be booked with your hotel.

Meals: breakfast

Map
Dates & Rates

Dates: Plan your trip at a time that best fits your schedule! Pure Adventures tours have flexible start dates.

2023 Tour Rates:  

Deluxe Four Star Hotels & Winery Guest House: (based on double occupancy)

  • 2 persons:  2306 euros/person
  • 4 persons:  2231 euros/person
  • 6+ persons:  2188 euros/person
  • Single Supplement:  480 euros/person (applies when 2 or more traveling but in separate single-use rooms)
  • Solo Supplement:  not available for solo travelers

Hybrid Bike Rental:  145 euros
Road Bike Rental:  not available on this tour
E-bike Rental:  305 euros
Bike Rental Details Page

New! Travel Insurance is now required to participate in this tour. You can book through our preferred vendors or your own. Proof of coverage will be required.

How do our tours compare to similar trips? You Get MoreIf you compare prices, we are much less than guided trips with similar experiences. In our private, independent format, you get much more than what most traditional self-guided tours offer, plus it’s a better experience! Our team has gone to great lengths to build and create exceptional tours all over the world, vacations that will give you lifelong memories. From the accommodations to the bikes to the routes themselves, we hold each component of our tours to a very high standard. We are dedicated to empowering people through travel!

Next steps:  
1. Call or email with questions: +1-970-230-5896 or email us. 
2. Book the trip, pay a deposit, and get excited about your adventure!
Book This Tour
 
Learn more about Hungary by visiting their official tourism website!
6 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Beverley Merkowicz

Couple Traveller

We are just back from Hungary and this was the most unique and surprising bike tour we have ever been on! Hungary is such a beautiful country and the people are warm, kind, and food and wine throughout just wonderful. We didn’t know quite what to expect with Hungary, but it should be on your bucket list! We loved the cycling and the local support was just the right amount. After leaving Hungary, all I can say is, we will be back!

September 1, 2022

Sean St. Martin

Couple Traveller

This is our third trip to Hungary and first time on a bike tour. Overall great bike tour, food, and hotels were just what we look for in a vacation. Very happy travellers here!

June 24, 2022

David G.

Solo Traveller

We recently completed a one week culinary cycling trip in Hungary’s wine region. The combination of a breathtaking countryside, delicious food, outstanding wine and top-notch hospitality set the stage for a great time. But what really made this experience remarkable is the Pure Adventures local guide and local support crew. They went far above and beyond to ensure everyone was delighted every day. The memories made there will not be forgotten. I recommend this trip to anyone considering this type of adventure.

Thank you to Loren and Richie at Pure Adventures for putting together such an amazing trip!

October 9, 2019

Paul S

Couple Traveller

I have just returned home from our wonderful trip to Eastern Europe and wanted to tell you how pleased we were with all your arrangements. The service on the ground was really amazing. Tom was always easy to reach with the cell phone that was part of our gear, and more than accommodating. The hotels that we stayed at surpassed our expectations in every case. And the breadth of exposure to Czech history and culture was lovely. And best of all, the GPS kept us on the straight and narrow most of the time.

August 1, 2019

M. Vandermere

Family Traveller

Our family of 5 just completed the Trail to Table bike, hike & kayak tour in Hungary. What a wonderful experience! Richie and Loren from Pure Adventures were absolutely amazing from the minute we contacted them. Booking and payments was easy and all information was send in a timely manner answering ever possible question we might have. If you enjoy to be active and outdoors, scenic country routes and breath-taking views, high quality local cuisine, fantastic wines (unique varieties most if which is only available in Hungary), going off the beaten track, experience the history of the land coming alive and meet truly inspiring, knowledgeable, professional, fun and warm hearted people, this tour is for you! Pure Adventures Hungary team took excellent care of us with all the logistics to the very last little detail. We cannot thank all the super nice guys Akos, Joseph, Balasz, and Andras enough for creating such special memories for our family. We came to Hungary knowing very little about the country, and we left with a feeling of deep respect, love and admiration for this beautiful country and the spirit of it’s people. We wish our Hungarian friends all the very best for the future and hope to meet you again soon.

June 27, 2019
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