Why Budapest Might Be Europe’s Most Underrated City
There’s something about arriving in a new city alone - it’s like the world resets a little. No plans, no one to answer to, just you and the city figuring each other out. That’s exactly how I felt landing in Budapest. Let’s start with where I stayed...
AUREA ANA PALACE HOTEL - GRAND, CLASSY, AND RIGHT BY THE DANUBE
I checked into Aurea Ana Palace Hotel, and man, this place has serious character. You know how some hotels feel like they could be anywhere in the world? This one doesn’t. It’s housed in a building that dates back to 1847, half neoclassical, half Austro-Hungarian history lesson. The location couldn’t be better. Right in the old town, with the Danube a few steps away. You walk out and boom - Budapest just unfolds in front of you.
I stayed in a Classic Double. Super clean, elegant, high ceilings, great lighting. My only nitpick? The bedroom floor had a wonky tile. Nothing major, but it threw me off when I stepped on it barefoot at night. Still, the hotel itself? Beautiful. Spa’s a bit minimal, but nice. There's a gym if you want to feel less guilty about all the goulash you’ll be eating. Now, the breakfast - wow. Easily one of the nicest breakfast setups I’ve seen. Fresh pastries, fruit, cooked stuff, sparkling wine if you feel fancy (I did). You could probably sit there all morning grazing like a king. Bonus points: we got early check-in, and they let us store bags after checkout. Also free drinking water or champagne at the lobby. Which do you think I picked?
HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING – GO EARLY OR MISS OUT
Budapest’s Parliament Building? Yeah, it’s that gorgeous. Think London Parliament meets Gothic cathedral meets “how did humans even build this?” It’s right along the river, and you don’t even need to go inside to be impressed. But if you do want to go inside (which I recommend), be warned it books out fast. I made the rookie mistake of thinking I could stroll up and get in like it was a museum. Nope. Luckily, I found out they release same-day tickets at 8 AM. I was there by 7:30, snagged a spot, and came back later for my time slot. The guided tour is smooth, they give you headphones and a guide who times the audio in your language. Ours was chill, helpful, and knew her stuff. The inside? Opulent doesn’t even begin to describe it. Red velvet, gold everywhere, and that dome ceiling… unreal. Just a heads-up: the ticket desk staff aren’t the warmest. Efficient, yes. Smiley? Not really. But hey - worth it.
COMME CHEZ SOI - A DINNER THAT FELT LIKE A HUG
You know when a place just gets it right? That’s Comme Chez Soi. I stumbled across it and honestly wasn’t expecting much… but it ended up being one of my favorite meals on the trip. From the second I walked in, it felt like a friend’s living room (if your friend was French-Italian and had excellent taste in food). Zsolt and József, the waiters, made me feel like a VIP. Friendly, chatty, but not too much. Just right.
Here’s what I had:
Garlic shrimp - bold but not overwhelming. Juicy, herby, satisfying.
Lasagna bolognese - like a hug from a nonna.
It’s the kind of meal you don’t rush. You sit back, sip your wine, maybe even smile to yourself. And when you leave, you already know you’re coming back someday.
