Pedal with Brin-Garázs: Szigliget's cycling mecca

Szigliget, one of the gems of Lake Balaton, attracts visitors not only with its calm surroundings and stunning landscapes but also with special places like Brin-Garázs bike rental and service. Just 200 metres from our Napkelte and Délibáb Guesthouses, this cycling paradise offers the joy of exploring on two wheels to locals and tourists alike.

How the business was born

The story of Brin-Garázs grew out of a simple hobby. The owner, Gyula Jani, revealed that he opened the rental out of pure passion. The name of the business came from an idea among friends and perfectly reflects what it does and the atmosphere of the garage.

Popularity and challenges

According to Gyula Jani, bike rental is especially popular with tourists who often cannot bring their own bikes or decide to cycle spontaneously. Business really takes off when the weather is not good for the beach; then guests happily set off to the area's wineries and local sights. Particularly popular destinations by bike include the local markets in Káptalantóti and Hegymagas, the Folly Arboretum, the Káli Basin and Badacsony. Running the business also brings challenges, such as balancing demand with the types of bikes available, since he deliberately does not rent out certain types, such as road bikes or scooters.

We wrote about the markets here: Markets on the north shore

Future plans and developments

Brin-Garázs keeps evolving. Last year Gyula carried out a major renovation, and he updates the bike fleet every year. He pays close attention to the bikes, follows technological developments and tries to meet customer needs, expanding his range accordingly. The rental bikes are sold at the end of the season, which keeps the quality of the service high.

Popular routes and personal favourites

Popular destinations among guests are the local and nearby wineries, as well as the cycle tour around Lake Balaton.

Gyula's favourite route is the eastern loop: heading east from Balatonfüred around the lake, then taking the ferry at Szántód and returning to Füred via Tihany.

We wrote about popular cycle routes here: 

Cycling tours – interactive map

A personal story

Gyula told us that at first many people doubted the business would succeed because of its hidden location. But in the internet age, cyclists in trouble easily find the service with GPS and search engines, which proves to Brin-Garázs that faith and perseverance pay off.

If you are in Szigliget and would like to explore the area on two wheels, don't hesitate to visit Brin-Garázs! Gyula is ready to make your ride memorable with the best bikes and service.

Breathtaking views: spring hikes from the Tihany peninsula to the Keszthely Hills

Lake Balaton and its surroundings are not just a place for summer beach days – the region also boasts stunning natural treasures and excursion spots. It offers many wonderful hiking routes across different difficulty levels and landscapes, so everyone can find something to suit them, from easy walks to serious hikes. Below we summarise the most popular hiking routes in the Balaton region and share some useful links with more information about hiking in the Balaton Uplands.

Tihany peninsula

The walking route on the Tihany peninsula is especially popular, as it offers a magical panorama of Lake Balaton and showcases the area's geological and historical treasures. On the way you can visit the Inner Lake, Apáti Hill and the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany.

The best excursion spots with children

Természetjáró: the most beautiful hikes in the Balaton region

Badacsony

Badacsony and its surroundings offer many hiking routes where you can discover traces of the area's volcanic past and its wineries, with beautiful panoramas over Lake Balaton. Szigliget Castle, Szent György Hill and the Kis- and Nagy-Somló hills are also great places for a hike.

Szigliget hike

Sights in Szigliget

Keszthely Hills

The Keszthely Hills are recommended for those who like hilly, wooded surroundings. Several hiking routes pass through the Balaton Uplands National Park, offering a close-to-nature experience. Along the way you can visit Festetics Palace, Helikon Park and several high points with stunning views.

55 stunning excursion spots on the north shore of Lake Balaton

Káli Basin

The Káli Basin is one of the jewels of the Balaton Uplands, offering a unique experience thanks to its special geography. The hiking routes let you admire the basalt columns, visit the Hegyestű geological site and discover the basin's stunning natural beauty.

30 sights on the north shore of Lake Balaton

Balaton Uplands National Park

The park covers more than 56,000 hectares and offers visitors countless protected natural treasures. It includes the Kis-Balaton, an important bird sanctuary, and the ruins of Szigliget Castle, which offer a breathtaking view.

Aktív Magyarország: Balaton Uplands

Sights in Tapolca

Balaton cycle path

Although not a hiking route in the traditional sense, cycling around Lake Balaton lets you discover many beautiful places. The full loop is a longer trip, but it can also be done in shorter sections.

Cycling tours around Lake Balaton

So the Balaton region offers nature lovers not only lakeside relaxation but also active leisure. With its varied landscapes, diverse plants and wildlife, and cultural and historical sights, every hiker can find a route they love.