The caves of Tapolca
Today we headed to Tapolca, a small town of around 16,000 inhabitants not far from Lake Balaton.
Tapolca is about 70 km from our home, and you should count on roughly an hour to get there.
The town’s main attraction is its underground cave system. That’s exactly why this is such a great idea for one of those rare rainy days in Hungary. It’s best to reserve tickets in advance via Tapolca Lake Cave Visitor Centre. Only a limited number of tickets are available each hour, and especially during weekends it’s perfectly possible that no tickets are left at the ticket desk.
Inside the visitor centre, you get information in several languages about the history of the region and how the caves were formed. The exhibition is beautifully designed and, like so many places in Hungary, very child-friendly. We learned, among other things, that during the Miocene period the hills of the Bakony formed an island in the Paratethys Sea, and that Berhida used to be one of the lagoons where sharks once swam around.
After that, you descend into the caves via a long staircase — something to keep in mind for visitors with mobility issues. You can walk through part of the cave system at your own pace; there’s no guide accompanying the tour.
Then comes the highlight of the visit: you step into a small rowing boat (maximum two adults) and glide through the caves on crystal-clear karst water. There are no stalagmites or stalactites here — the clay layer above the caves prevents rainwater from dripping through — but the incredibly clear water, atmospheric lighting and white karst rocks make this a truly magical experience. Just watch your head: in some places taller visitors will need to duck a little.
A visit to the caves is apparently healthy too. In the 20th century, it was discovered that the cave air has beneficial effects for people with respiratory problems. A sanatorium was built with its own entrance to a section of the caves that is not open to the public, where patients relax on lounge beds beside the water.
After our underground adventure, we also wandered around the town above ground, and that part of Tapolca is definitely worth exploring too. Around an old watermill and church you’ll now find a charming romantic park. Both near the visitor centre and around the park there are several small restaurants, so you definitely won’t go hungry either.
