We drove all the way to Tihany to visit the abbey, only to find out it was closed for renovations. However the view from the top of the hill is outstanding. And don't forget to visit the Paprikahaz down the hill, we made some good shopping in there.
From the abbey you have an excellent view, the abbey itself is very interesting and beautiful.You have to buy a ticket to get in!!??
A very beautiful, renovated church, from up above you have a spectacular view on the lake and its surroundings. The entry fee is very small, so go inside, and familiarize yourself with the history of this place.
We recently visited this area and enjoyed the experience. A brief audio-visual presentation preceded our tour of the Abbey. This was very informative. The Abbey and the Museum were very interesting. Although the weather was cloudy and cool, one could imagine how beautiful the lake and surroundings would be with the sunlight glistening on the water. It was pleasant wandering along the paths adjacent to the lake and visiting the shops in the nearby village. There was a lovely fragrance of lavender, with many beautiful products available for purchase (e.g. soap, candles etc). A delicious bowl of goulash soup and some crusty bread provided a 'hearty' lunch that suited the cool weather perfectly.
Beautifully aged old abbey. It is worth paying the small entrance fee and visiting the inside of this quaint old church.The views from the gardens shows the vastness of the Balaton Lake and the surrounding areas of Tihany. Walk along the narrow streets in the village of Tihany and visit the local shops and attractions available.
. . . and the climb up the hill from the harbour will help to get you fit. However, this was the first time at any church or cathedral where I was not allowed to go in and pray without buying a ticket to tour the building. I've no objection to paying for visits to churches of special interest but as an active churchgoer I firmly believe every house of God should welcome people who wish to pray and leave it to their personal conscience whether and how much to contribute. Not everyone is a wealthy tourist.
We didn't actually go into the Abbey and simply admired it from outside - and it is a lovely church in a beautiful setting.My main reason for reviewing here is to put a review of Tihany village as a whole. The first thing to mention is that the village is a major tourist draw, so don't be looking for peace and quiet - especially when a couple of coach loads of tourists arrive! Although the village is geared for tourism via it's many restaurants and gift shops, it still has a beauty that is worth seeing, and as I have indicated in the heading to my review, the view of the lake from the Abbey is superb.
From the abbey location you have an excellent view of lake Balaton. The abbey charges a tour fee. There is nothing exceptional about the interior architecture or trappings. Enjoy the surrounding countryside.
The Benedictine Abbey is a must see if you going to Balaton. Very small buit from the hill you get very good panorama to the lake. Hard to find parking. On a clear day you may want to visit for the good outlook.
We are locals, living nearby in Veszprém. But we do not miss not only to take our guests here, but also we visit here ourselves regularly. For taking a walk in the park around the Abbey, and for enjoying great panoramic landscape of Lake Balaton form the park balcony.