Sail to paradise on the Tihany-Szántód ferry
Zamárdi, the gem of the south coast, offers a versatile and popular holiday experience. From Budapest, you can reach Zamárdi in just an hour via the M7 motorway. If you’re coming from the northwest of the country, the journey is a pleasure. At Tihany you’ll find the ferry port, where you can take a ferry and ride the waves to one of the most beautiful holiday resorts on Lake Balaton. You can take the ferry across the lake with your car, motorhome, or caravan.
Mirabella Camping is just a few minutes’ drive from the Szántód ferry port.
If you are not coming from Tihany, you don’t have to miss out on the experience. Here are some tips on how to make the most of this fantastic location and its proximity to the ferry.
The spring season is the perfect time to add some colour to your days of relaxation with ferry excursions, nature walks or wine tours. There’s no heat and no crowds, so you can explore the hidden treasures of Lake Balaton more freely.
You don’t have to wait long for adventure:
Mirabella Camping opens on 18 April 2025! This is just the start of the Easter long weekend, so make the most of it!
Ferry trip to the north coast
A great favourite of our guests is the special view of Mirabella Camping. We are just opposite the Tihany peninsula. If you’re fascinated by this unique panorama, it’s worth seeing in person. Zamárdi and Szántód, although two separate towns, are actually built together, so if you are planning a ferry trip during your holiday, you can easily reach the place on foot or by bike.
Frequent departures, flexible schedule
Ferries depart every half hour in spring and more frequently in high season. If there’s more interest, they’ll run a more frequent service than the schedule, so you won’t have to wait long to get to the other side. This is a comfortable and cosy way to cross the lake.
What programme are you looking for? Do you love flowers? Wine tours? Natural treasures?
Exploring the north coast is just a stone’s throw away, with the ferry to Tihany taking only 10 minutes. If you want to go by bike, you can rent a bike at Mirabella Camping, but the journey by car is also an experience. On the ferry, you can step out of your car, watch the sparkling water, enjoy the gentle breeze, and arrive in the blink of an eye.
Because of the frequent service, you don’t have to watch the clock all the time, just hop on the next ferry. Just make sure you don’t miss the last ferry!
1. Daffodils, tulips, roses and lavender
We understand if it’s hard to get out of Zamárdi, as it’s also a region full of adventures. In spring, thousands of tulips bloom in the neighbouring Kőröshely Lavender Field.
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tulip harvest 2024 Mirabella Camping Zamárdi
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tulip harvest 2024 Mirabella Camping Zamárdi
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tulip harvest Kőröshegy Mirabella Camping Zamárdi
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lavender Mirabella Camping Balaton Zamárdi
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lavender Mirabella Camping Balaton Zamárdi
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Lavendel Mirabella Camping Balaton Zamárdi
You too can pick a colourful bouquet over the 2025 Easter long weekend and you really don’t have to go far. It’s also worth returning in June, when the hillside is covered in a field of fragrant purple flowers.
The north coast is also home to many flower farms, of course. An ideal destination for a ferry trip is one of the impressive lavender fields. In most places, you can also enjoy other seasonal spring and summer plants in addition to our little purple favourite.
During the lavender blossom season, the sweet scents fill the air around Lake Balaton, thanks to the farms and hidden flower gardens hiding on the hillsides. They are all worth exploring!
Three iconic flower fields on the north coast:
- MagyarProvence Levendulabirtok – Monoszló: The 2025 daffodil harvest will take place on 29-30 March and 5-6 April. If you miss out on spring flower picking, don’t panic! In summer, you can stroll through lavender fields with a true French atmosphere. The season here is much longer than in Tihany, for example, due to the environmental conditions, so it is worth visiting later in the year.
- Levendárium – Dörgicse Levendula Major – Dörgicse: Art and nature meet at the Balaton highlands estate. There are well-tended rose and monastery gardens, modern sculptures and handicrafts. The 10th Rose Day will take place on 7 June 2025, when the gardens will be in full bloom
- Tihany Lavender Field – Tihany: Located on the Tihany peninsula, the estate offers an early summer experience with historic plantations and butterflies. You can combine the trip with a visit to the picturesque village and the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany. Even in spring, you can enjoy lavender, as local producers and artisans offer a delightful selection.
2. Wine tours around Tihany and the Balaton highlands
Tihany is not only famous for its lavender and its abbey, but the surrounding vineyards and wineries are also a major attraction. The volcanic soil of the northern coast, the slopes of the Balaton highlands and the sunny vineyards offer us exceptional wines.
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Lavendel Mirabella Camping Balaton Zamárdi
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Tihany Balaton Mirabella-Camping Zamárdi
Three special wine experiences:
- Tihany Benedictine Abbey Winery:The winery of Pannonhalma Abbey has been named Winery of the Year 2023. The vineyard, built on a thousand-year-old tradition, offers an impressive tasting terrace where you can sip the fragrant Balaton wine specialities with the wonderful panorama of Tihany in the background. And every year at Pentecost, there is a special cellar tour and wine tour offer.
- Badacsony wine region: Badacsony is just a 25-minute drive from Tihany. If someone in the party takes on the role of driver, a ferry trip to Badacsony can be a highlight of the North Coast wine experience. The basaltic soil gives a unique minerality to the wines produced here, which are mainly of the Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát, Kéknyelű and Rizling varieties.
- The Káli Basin: It’s just a 25-35 minute drive from Tihany, so you can plan a half-day or day trip to the wine region. The iconic wines of the region are Olaszrizling, Rizlingszilváni and Juhfark. Due to the volcanic soil and cooler nights, the wines are bright, acidic and mineral, perfect for a summer evening at Lake Balaton.
As well as the more famous attractions, the peninsula is home to many lesser-known but breathtaking sites. As soon as the ferry arrives at the port, the exploring can begin. You can cycle to the larger and smaller tours, and by car almost everything is within easy reach.
Three bucket-list hiking destinations on the Tihany peninsula:
- Őrtorony (Guard tower) Lookout: Standing on Apáti Hill, the 16.5 metre-high lookout has a modern shape that blends perfectly into the landscape, while offering stunning panoramic views. From above you can see Lake Balaton, and on a clear day you can also see the Bakony, Somogy and Füred mountains, as well as the Kőröshegy Viaduct.
- Hermit Colony (Monk Houses): The hermit’s dwellings carved into the rock near the top Óvár are a special feature of the Tihany basalt tufa, where nature and history go hand in hand. Signs mark the way from the port.
- Inner Lake, Tihany: The 30-hectare volcanic lake lies in the heart of the peninsula, 25 metres above Lake Balaton. Its tranquil surroundings, rich wildlife and panoramic views of the surrounding hills make it a favourite with anglers and hikers. You can also go boating on the lake, a truly romantic destination.
Get on the water before the sun sets!
On the way back, the ferry ride seems even shorter, because when you’re full of experiences, it’s easy for your mind to wander. The last ferry from Tihany in the spring period leaves at 19:15.
But there is one piece of advice you should take! Make sure to return to the campsite before the sun sets, to not miss the magical view!
The sunsets on the south coast are unparalleled. It is nice to relax in the evening lights and not only the memory of the trip will stay with you, but also the sight of the Tihany peninsula! At least while you’re on holiday!
Whichever destination you choose, a refreshing spring break is guaranteed! And Zamárdi has a wide range of activities to offer locally too. Don’t miss it, because this active period goes by so quickly. In the heat of summer, we often don’t feel like coming and going as much.
Accommodation on the beach – Comfort, freedom, panorama!
But before you set off to explore the north coast, arrive first, make yourself at home at the campsite and soak up the smell of nature, fill up on the feeling of freedom.
Mirabella Camping is located directly on the shore of Lake Balaton. On our private beach you can enjoy the unforgettable panoramic view of Zamárdi. A perfect place for a picnic, sunbathing, swimming, as well as active programmes.
The uniqueness of the accommodation lies in this special waterfront atmosphere. You can choose from our extra comfortable mobile homes and arrive with your own or rented caravan or motorhome, or even with a tent – relaxation is guaranteed. Here, you inevitably switch into a more relaxed mode and become more open to adventure.
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Mirabella Camping Eurocomfort Mobile House
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Mirabella Camping Zamárdi - Eurocomfort kitchen and living room
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Accommodation by Lake Balaton Mirabella Camping Eurocomfort Mobile House
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Accommodation by Lake Balaton Mirabella Camping Eurocomfort Mobile House
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caravan pitch Mirabella Camping Zamárdi Lake Balaton
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Accommodation by Lake Balaton Mirabella Camping Eurocomfort Mobile House
At the campsite, you can relax in the adventure pool, but there’s also a volleyball court, football pitch and ping-pong table for fun friendly matches. Our restaurants ensure that you’ll always find something to eat. If you’re hungry, you can dine in an excellent bistro restaurant, or if you’re craving classic beach food, try our buffets! You’ll also find a burger and a lángos restaurant. You deserve a little pampering, don’t you?
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camping restaurant Lángosellátó Mirabella Camping Zamárdi Balaton
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camping restaurant Lángosellátó Mirabella Camping Zamárdi Balaton
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camping restaurant Lángosellátó Mirabella Camping Zamárdi Balaton
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There is also a convenience store on site, where you can enjoy fresh, fragrant pastries for breakfast, or find the essential ingredients for an evening barbecue. And when you’re ready to go on a ferry trip, you can buy your travel essentials locally.
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campsite grocery Mirabella Camping Zamárdi-1
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We look forward to seeing you at Mirabella Camping from the Easter long weekend onwards. And if you need a quieter break for your big spring recovery, we heartily recommend the weekdays too.
Book your accommodation on our website, where the best prices are waiting for you!
With just a few clicks you can book your comfortable mobile home, caravan pitch or tent place.