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The route
A stage around Lake Balaton, the Hungarian sea. At first, the route approaches the lake on mildly undulating roads. Past Nagykanizsa, the route heads markedly towards the Balaton, mildly undulating all the way to the shore. Skirting along the lakeshore for the final 50 km, the route takes in one last, short climb by the Tihany Abbey. The stage finale is mostly straight, with just a few mild bends.
Final kilometres
The final kilometres are virtually flat. Past the Tihany peninsula, the route follows the coast, taking a short climb (with a few metres’ drop) in the last kilometre. The final 500 metres rise almost imperceptibly all the way to the home straight, on tarmac.
start / finish
final kilometres
itinerary timetable
tourist info
Host city:
Kaposvár
Touristic Information
The eclectic Secessionist jewellery box of József Rippl-Rónai: Kaposvár
Only 1.5 hours by car from Lake Balaton, Kaposvár guarantees you’ll not have a moment without being surrounded by magical sights in its city centre. Considered one-of-a-kind throughout Europe in terms of architecture, the city boasts more than 220 eclectic and Secessionist buildings. It is unrivalled on the continent in terms of the number of fabulous historical edifices in such a small area. Visit one of the most significant towns of Transdanubia and admire the spectacular eclectic-Secessionist city centre.
Attractions worth seeing in Kaposvár:
Classicist, eclectic and Secessionist palaces, buildings, impressive pedestrian streets, exciting town squares and public spaces renovated to a high standard – all these await in Kaposvár. It is difficult to list all of the attractions worth seeing, but we have selected some not to be missed.
Things to see around Kossuth Square:
The Neo-Romanesque Church of the Assumption, which was elevated to the rank of cathedral in 1993;
•the elegant Baroque sculpture depicting St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of Kaposvár;
•the 18th century Rococo-style Mary’s Column;
•the Erzsébet Hotel tower, decorated with colourful Zsolnay porcelain tiles, which the locals only refer to as the “Owl Castle”;
•the fabulous Neo-Renaissance Town Hall, whose glass windows, wood-panelled ballroom and the legendary decoration of its staircase offer a unique sight;
Things to see around Fő Street:
(with a little detour) the Vaszary Gallery, which is a venue for temporary contemporary fine and applied arts exhibitions;
Dorottya House, the huge Baroque building where Mihály Csokonai Vitéz, one of the most significant poets of the Hungarian Enlightenment, participated in a spectacular celebration;
•the Neo-Renaissance Kemény Palace, where the Kaposvár Conservatory once operated;
•the Splits sculpture situated on the impressive Európa Square, which – as legend has it – brings good luck;
•the captivating Zsolnay Fountain, which is a work of the world famous Zsolnay Porcelain Factory; and
•the Dorottya Hotel, a Secessionist marvel.
The artist József Rippl-Rónai is considered to have been the best representative of Hungarian Post-Impressionist and Secessionist artistic aspirations. With his world of vivacious colours, stylised lines and decorative images, he became an internationally acclaimed artist. He was born in Kaposvár, where he returned after living in Paris, and continued to create his paintings for the rest of his life. The town is rightfully proud of him – and you can see attractions related to the artist at various locations.
The Rippl-Rónai Mansion became the artist’s home in 1908; the villa is now a museum where you can see the artist’s works, as well as his everyday objects and furnishings.
As you can see, the reasons to visit Kaposvár are virtually innumerable. This marvellous city awaits you to absorb the plethora of cultural attractions.
Balatonfüred
Touristic Information
Central Europe’s largest lake offers unmissable experiences all-year-round. Every summer, the nearly 200 km2 lake warms up easily, with its gradual depth attractive to those wishing to splash around.
