Tata in Hungary is a quiet little town in the countryside, situated on a large beautiful lake. Here you can enjoy the beautiful nature and, if you want, you can also try Hungarian food of the highest quality. We tell you about a day trip from Budapest.
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Tata in Hungary
Tata is a town in the Hungarian region of Komárom-Esztergom, in the north-west of the country. Located about 70 kilometres from Budapest, it took us about an hour to get here by car from the capital, along with a group of bloggers on a press trip.
A rural idyll
In Tata, a rural (and currently rainy!) idyll. Around 23,000 people live in the town and it is remarkably peaceful as you stroll around the low houses, old stone walls and autumn-coloured trees.
Tata Castle
Tata actually has a castle that dates back to the 14th century. Its heyday was in the 15th century, when Kings Sigismund of Hungary and Mattias I Corvinus used the house as a summer residence. The castle was later burnt down by the German House of Habsburg, but was rebuilt. The Hungarian noble family Esterházy lived here for a long time, contributing to the romantic style of the castle.
Lake Öreg in Tata
We walked a distance and always had the big lake next to us. The lake is called Öreg, which incidentally means "old lake". There were lots of ducks swimming here and above all we saw lots of large fish jumping up through the surface of the water. In fact, I don't think we have ever seen so many large fish in a lake before.
Restaurant Platán in Tata
Despite being located in a small town in the countryside, Restaurant Plátan is no ordinary rural restaurant. On the contrary! Here you can expect food of the highest quality. We had our lunch here, and it was an extraordinary lunch.
Chef István Pesti started his career almost 30 years ago, and has worked at the Cosmo and Cyrano restaurants in Budapest. He ran Babel's restaurant for five years and was the first in the country to receive 15 points from Gault Millau. In 2015, he achieved a coveted Michelin star for his restaurant Tanti.
By now, he had actually planned to close Tanti and take over the Platan restaurant in Tata, Hungary. Nobody thought he would abandon Tanti after the Minchelin star, but he did. The restaurant closed the same year, and István focused on his vision of food quality in the countryside.
A magical tasting menu at Platán in Tata
The Platán restaurant serves modern Hungarian cuisine and has its own patisserie and ice cream parlour. We had the chance to try a fantastic tasting menu. The first two dishes - melt-in-your-mouth salmon and foie gras served with pieces of pumpkin - were probably the best of the bunch. all best.
We were also offered a number of good wines from different regions in Hungary. In Hungary, both red and white wine is made, but according to some, they are perhaps most prominent in white wine. We agree that the white wines are really good, both the tokaj wine and other white wines.
Wine tasting at the Hernyák winery in Etyek
On the way back to Budapest we stopped at the Hernyák vineyard in Etyek. This farm is only half an hour from Budapest (or a bit more depending on the traffic), but still it feels really rural and quiet here. Here we were fantastically well received by the female owner, who runs the farm together with her husband and son.
The small family-run business produces both red and white wine, and we liked several of the wines we tried. But perhaps it was just as nice to come here for the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
The family also has cows and makes its own cheese. Despite the fact that we absolutely not had some space in the stomach, we managed to taste a little. Very good! We can highly recommend a visit here if you have the opportunity!
Videos from the trip to Budapest and surroundings
Here you can watch some films from your trip to Budapest and its surroundings.
More to see and do in Hungary
There is of course more to see and do in Hungary. If you like food, there are many good restaurants in Budapest to experience. You can also discover other parts of the country, such as the beautiful city of Crete. Pécs or perhaps wine regions Villány. Below you will find even more tips.
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Facts about Tata in Hungary
- Name: Tata (Totis in German and Dotis in Latin)
- County: Komárom-Esztergom county
- Location: Northwestern Hungary, 9 kilometres northwest of the county capital Tatabánya. The town lies in a valley between the Gerecse and Vértes mountains, about 70 kilometres from Budapest.
- Residents: Approximately 23 000
Things to see and do in Tata, Hungary
- Attractions in Tata: Tata Castle, Esterházy Palace, the Clock Tower, Agostyán Botanical Garden, Calvary Statues, Calvinist Church, the Chapel, Cahpuchin Church, the English Garden with the Kiskastély House and the Fellner Jakab observation tower.
- Activities in Tata: Fishing, golf, outdoor activities and the Fényes Bath spa.
Tata's story
Early history: Tata has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was later a Roman settlement.
13th and 14th centuries: The town is first mentioned from this time, and in the 14th century the castle was built.
16th century: In 1526 the city suffered a devastating battle with the Ottoman army, when Louis II died. However, the lord of the castle, György Cseszneky, defended the castle, which was taken by the Turks in 1543. The castle had many different owners until it was burned by the Habsburgs.
18th century: Count József Esterházy bought Tata Castle and the surrounding villages, and the area flourished.
Modern history: Tata was captured by Soviet troops on 19 March 1945. In 1954, Tata was granted city status in Hungary.
This trip was a press trip, organised by the Hungarian Tourist Board.
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Ama de casa says:
Wow what a place and what food! I think a "marathon" would have been good to squeeze in somewhere there 😀.
28 November 2019 - 9:50
Helena says:
Haha, yes, a little marathon would have been needed 😉 .
28 November 2019 - 18:35
St Agnes says:
Just a small correction: "Öreg" does not mean "big lake" at all, but "old".
28 November 2019 - 11:01
Helena says:
Yes, but quite right! It was wrong there. Thank you very much, I will correct it immediately!
28 November 2019 - 11:14
Ditte says:
How nice to leave the big city and see and experience something different. Ohc extra fun and delicious, I think, to try this tasting menu.
28 November 2019 - 12:32
Helena says:
Yes always fun to see a little more than just the capital! And besides, they could serve up fantastic food here! 🙂
28 November 2019 - 18:36
BP says:
Dregel, dregel, What pictures of the superb and at least different dishes. Yummie, yummie:-) Even the "pig foot" looked good in that "package".
28 November 2019 - 15:19
Helena says:
Glad you like the pictures, it was fantastic! 🙂
28 November 2019 - 18:37
Eleonor Turesson says:
Read your blog often as we are travelling a lot. In September we are travelling to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia. We have been to Croatia before but both Poland and Hungary are unknown to us except Budapest where we have been. Do you have any tips, like if there are vineyards that we can put our motorhome on where you can eat and test wine. The plan is Sopot and oh Gdansk and then head south. Hungary also sounds interesting do you have anything to recommend there that we should not miss... We will also be travelling through Slovakia which we know nothing about.
We will then travel Italy and France home but that is another story, have been there many times so we know where we are going. Expect to be out for about 6 weeks or whatever we feel like.
With kind regards, Eleonor and Valter.
10 August 2023 - 16:21