Fall Bucket List – Must-See Experiences in Veszprém and the Bakony–Balaton Region

Many people who don’t live on the shores of Lake Balaton ask the locals this question at the end of summer:  

“What is there to do at Lake Balaton this time of year, outside of the tourist season?” 

We who live here know the answer: anything! 

Lake Balaton takes on a completely different look in the fall. The beachgoers disappear, you no longer have to dodge the summer crowds on the lakeside promenades, and the grape harvest begins on the vineyards. The Bakony forests are cloaked in golden yellow, the nights echo with the bellowing of deer, the first fall delicacies appear at the markets, and life slows down a bit in the lakeside towns as well. It doesn’t stop; it just shifts to a different pace. 

One weekend you can sample new wines on a vineyard tour, the next you can go rock climbing in Cuha Valley, then visit an exhibition in Veszprém, create something truly unique at a workshop, or even kick off your Sunday morning with a meditative yoga class.

We've put together a list of everything fall has to offer in Veszprém and the Bakony-Balaton region—from gastronomy, to sports events and family activities. 

If there’s one season when it’s truly a pleasure to tour the wineries around Lake Balaton, it’s fall. Trust us—Lake Balaton somehow looks even more beautiful when enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Balaton Wine Bus connects several stops in the Lake Balaton wine region, running from Balatonfüred through Csopak and Paloznak to Dörgicse and the Kál Basin. And if you’re more interested in the history of a single winery, at  Zelna Winery’s fall vineyard tour on September 19, you can explore three vineyard plots while tasting your way through eight wines. But it’s also worth marking one of fall’s most popular harvest events on your calendar: the Füred Must Festival, which welcomes young and old alike on Saturday, September 26, at Gyukli Winery, featuring a bouncy castle, a tractor ride, live music, and, of course, the new wines, grape must, and the festival’s namesake “must” will all be featured. 

After the summer heat, a trip to the fall market can be a real treat. Browse, sample, chat with the farmers, and then take another stroll around the stalls. 

Liliomkert Market, Hegymagas Market Square, Tihany Market PLACC, and Vászoly and Dörgicse Farmers’ Markets all have different atmospheres, but that’s exactly why it’s worth trying them all: local producers, seasonal ingredients, and plenty of delicious treats to take home await you. 

And if you’re in the mood for a little cuteness, be sure to visit Nagyvázsony Livestock Fair and Farmers’ Market on the first Sunday of every month.  

Just like Lake Balaton, the Bakony Hills also show a completely different side of themselves in the fall. Yellowing leaves, mushrooms just emerging, and streams trickling once again after the summer drought signal the start of the new season. 

Cuha Valley is especially beautiful at this time of year, but if you’d like to add a little adrenaline rush to your outing, try Cuha Valley via ferrata. You can choose from several routes on the rock faces, so even beginners or families with older kids can give it a try.

Gerence Valley, the area around Bakonybél, or Hubertlaki Lake, as well as the Úrkút Ancient Karst is a great choice if you’re looking for a shorter, yet unique and truly spectacular outing. The exposed rock walls offer a glimpse into more than a hundred million years of geological history.

And if you’re still feeling a little curious after the hike, don’t head home just yet—the Bakony region also offers countless excellent dining spots. Stop by EPL Bistro, grab a pizza at Bakony Napoli, or take a break in Vinye at Kőpince Inn. 

In the Balaton Uplands, it’s not only worth exploring the highlands—sometimes it’s also worth heading down into the depths of the Earth. 

Lóczy Cave and its associated visitor center in Balatonfüred can easily be incorporated into a trip to Lake Balaton. Tapolca Lake Cave, on the other hand, offers a completely different experience: here, you can explore the underground passages by boat. Szentgál Stone Caves and Csodabogyós Cave offer thrills for those seeking a more serious caving adventure, but each of these underground sites can also be a great experience for kids. 

Four places, four different adventures, four unforgettable experiences—  and among other things, they’re great activities even when the weather outside isn’t exactly cooperating.

In the fall, an urban event that isn't all about rushing around is especially welcome. An interesting exhibition, a delicious cup of coffee, an idyllic stroll on 'Love Island'— and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an afternoon in Veszprém.

And if you’d like to stay a little longer, or if you happen to live here, we’ve got a few really great events up our sleeves that we certainly wouldn’t want to miss if we were you.

In September, Ars Sacra Festival offers cultural programs at several venues, while Laczkó Dezső Museum and Dubniczay Palace are great destinations even if you only have a few hours to spare. On September 19–20, Cultural Heritage Days offer another opportunity to discover buildings and stories that you may walk past every day.

The Dungeon, on the other hand, is a place you might not immediately put on your bucket list, but it would be a shame to miss. The themed programs and guided tours not only offer a glimpse into Veszprém’s history but also take you to places you’d otherwise hardly ever get to see. For us, this definitely falls into the “see it, and then you’ll understand” category.

And once you’re in the city, don’t just seek out the most famous sights. Wander down the secret staircases, hunt down the Kolodko sculptures, take a stroll through the park, or climb up to the Gulya Hill lookout, where you can see the city from a completely different perspective.

A cup of coffee, an exhibition, a long walk—in Veszprém in the fall, that’s all you need for a pleasant afternoon.

A rainy fall day doesn't necessarily mean you have to cancel your plans. In fact, this is the perfect time to visit places you might not even think to step into on a sunny day. 

The immersive experiences of CODE transport you to a whole other world: you can encounter digital art, science, nature, or exciting content designed for kids. In CODE Creator , creativity takes center stage: robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies—all of which can be used to experiment and create something new— even during fall break as part of one of their themed workshops. 

And if you really want to put yourself to the test, head over to VR Brain. Here, you’re not just watching a game on a screen: put on the VR headset, and you’ll find yourself in a completely different world. You can choose from a variety of virtual tracks and games, so it’s easy to turn it into a fun afternoon activity with friends, family, or even a small group. 

And there’s also a very special opportunity: Veszprém County Archives has created an escape room set in a historical setting, where you can follow the story of In Search of the Lost Seal, set in a historical setting. Here, you’ll need more than just your logic—the location’s history also adds to the experience. 

These are the kinds of programs where you might easily end up saying "We didn’t even know Veszprém had something like this.” And perhaps that’s exactly what makes them the best.

With the arrival of fall, you don’t have to give up on staying active—in fact, in September, you might have more options to choose from than you’d think. Yoga, group workouts, biking, hikes, running races, water activities, skateboarding, or even a special international sporting event—all add variety to the lineup. 

September 23–30. During this time, the European Week of Sport will take place, and Veszprém and the region will be joining in with a wide variety of programs, so all you’ll have to do is choose from among them. 

As early as September 12, it’s worth lacing up your sneakers, because Get Moving, Füred is coming up, featuring, among other things, yoga, Zumba, spinning, mobility exercises, and stretching. It’s not a competition, nor is it about performance— but rather a large community fitness event where you can even try out sports you’ve never encountered before. 

If you’d rather explore the region on two wheels, there will be an opportunity for that as well. On September 16, the Fall Bike Snack awaits you in Erzsébet Park: Veszprém is joining the Hungarian Cycling Club’s nationwide initiative, and the program is family-friendly. Let’s go for a bike ride together, then stay a little while longer for a shared snack and a chat. 

September is also all about major cycling events: the Eplény Halloween Shred Bike Festival draws cycliststo the Bakony Hills, where, in addition to exercise, the program includes a sense of community and a little thrill. And if you’re cycling around Lake Balaton with your family, don’t miss the newest Balatonfüred pump track at Forrás Sport Park. 

On September 19–20, a truly special sports event is coming to Veszprém: the U15–U18 European Sumo Championships will be held at One Veszprém Arena. Europe’s best young sumo wrestlers will test their skills against one another, and in addition to the competition, you can also enjoy Japanese cultural programs: origami, kanji painting, anime and manga drawing, Japanese food and drinks, and a tea ceremony are also available for those interested.

We won’t be without sports at the end of this month either. On September 26, “Get Moving, Veszprém!” is coming, where the whole family can find something to do: fitness challenges, archery, an obstacle course, soft sumo, and community games are also on the program. On the same evening, #BeActive Night will also keep the University of Pannonia on the move— between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., participants can choose from a variety of sports and community programs.

And if running is your thing, on September 26, head to Tihany for Tihany Cross. This time, the landscape of the Balaton Uplands won’t just be a backdrop for your run—it’ll be part of the experience.

And there’s another truly special sporting event: between September 27 and October 2, Veszprém and Balatonakarattya will host the 49th CISM Military Fencing World Championships. Military athletes from various countries around the world will compete against each other on the piste— if you love spectator sports, this is definitely worth marking on your calendar. 

And at the end of the month, STÉG will also bid farewell to the skateboarding season: on September 25, there will be a jam session, skill challenges, and a group skate. Because there’s a place for extreme sports in Veszprém, too. 

You don’t have to be an athlete, and you don’t have to break any records. Just find an activity you’re in the mood for and get going. 

You can find the full lineup of active programs for September on HelloVEB, and you can also browse the events of European Sports Week among the programs of the Balaton—Balaton European Region of Sport program. 

There’s something especially nice about a program where, in the end, you don’t just take home memories, but something you made yourself. 

Among the workshops offered by Mamka Manufaktúra and Marte Balaton, it’s worth checking out what’s on offer this fall: handicraft, creative, and artistic programs await those who enjoy the process of making things. 

And if you’d rather work with flour than clay, on September 26, AGÓRA Veszprém will hold a Neapolitan pizza-making workshop where you can learn the tricks of making sourdough, and then bake your very own pizza. 

This is the kind of event we always put off until fall during the summer. Well, fall is here—don’t wait any longer!

You don’t have to pack every weekend full of activities, but don’t worry—we fall into this trap sometimes, too.  

Pálos Resort in Zalacsány is a great choice for those who want to unwind in nature, but would rather bring a yoga mat than hiking boots (or both). Yoga, sound baths, Pilates, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and retreats are also part of the fall lineup. 

On September 27, a guided morning walk will depart from Örvényesvölgy, where participants can enjoy the panoramic views of Zala Valley, the memorial site of the former Pauline monastery, and the company of alpacas and deer are all part of the program. 

And if you’re looking for a similar experience, it’s worth checking out the Region of Sport’s fall programs, which offer exercise and rejuvenation, because you’ll find weekly classes that not only invigorate the body but also nourish the soul.

Amid the hustle and bustle, don’t forget that the time you invest in yourself often pays off the most.

Discover HelloVEB's current program offerings, pick a day, and see what’s happening right now in Veszprém, the Bakony Hills, or around Lake Balaton. You might pop in to an exhibition, swing by a market, or end up at an event you didn’t even know existed yesterday.

Believe me, often the hardest part is just getting started.