Szantod on Lake Balaton: Manor, Ferry and Beaches

Szantod brings together a historic manor, a ferry connection across Lake Balaton and two free beaches. When choosing a hotel, these different reasons for visiting can shape your stay: you can explore the history of the Szántódpusztai Majorság, plan a trip to Tihanyrév or spend time by the water. The following places and topics will give you a concrete idea of what makes Szantod distinctive.

Agricultural history and exhibitions at the Majorság

The Szántódpusztai Majorság is a historic agricultural estate and one of the oldest agricultural estates in Hungary. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages. Several places here cover different aspects of rural life and its produce. For example, information panels at the Kukoricagóré provide information about corn and how it is processed.

The barn houses the interactive exhibition “Búza útja” (“The Journey of Wheat”). It explores the former cultivation of grain for self-sufficiency, the knowledge behind the traditional farmhouse loaf and the importance of wheat as an essential cereal. The focus is therefore not just on a single product, but also on cultivation and food supply in everyday life in the past.

Another way to explore the site is the barefoot, or Kneipp, trail. At its sensory stations, you can experience materials set into the ground, as well as raw materials and tools from the past. The sensory stations are also accessible to people with disabilities. For visitors with visual impairments, the station names are displayed not only in Hungarian in Latin script but also on Braille signs.

Building 21 houses a rotating exhibition space that can serve as a venue for local and regional artists and creative professionals. The program on display changes. Visitors can also learn about the history of the Tihany–Szántód ferry at the Majorság: the ferry was established at the natural narrowing of Lake Balaton and once belonged to Tihany Abbey.

Chapel, monument and path

Above Szántódpuszta stands St Christopher’s Chapel, on the site of an earlier chapel. The earlier chapel was built in 1735 with a wooden-shingle roof and a wooden tower, renovated and rebuilt in 1820, and consecrated again in 1821. These dates tell the story of several construction phases without equating the present-day chapel with its predecessor.

You can find another public monument in Kossuth Park: a statue of Lajos Kossuth stands there. For walking or cycling, a separate footpath and cycle path was built in Szántód on a new route parallel to Móricz Zsigmond Street and Szent István Street. As the condition of a route can change, it is worth taking this into account when planning your own trip.

Ferry connection and beaches on Lake Balaton

The only ferry connection across Lake Balaton operates between Szántódrév and Tihanyrév and carries vehicles and passengers all year round. However, extreme weather or ice can disrupt the service. If you plan to take the ferry, check the timetable before departure.

Szántód has two free beaches with different features. The beach on Juhász Gyula Street is also known as Beach Party. It has fine sand and slopes gently into deeper water. At the beach on Rigó Street, bathers can use a grassy sunbathing area. Seasonal services may vary; for specific visit dates, it is advisable to check the latest information.

The beaches can therefore be distinguished by their described features: Beach Party is defined by its sand and the gentle transition into deeper water, while the grassy sunbathing area is a feature of the beach on Rigó Street. Together with the ferry connection and the historical topics at the Majorság, these places offer different points of reference for planning your trip to Szantod.

Discover more destinations: Balatonszemes, Koröshegy, Nagycsepely, Szólád, Teleki, Kötcse, Balatonszárszó, Balatonföldvar.

For the main travel overview: Balatonföldvári.