The 7 Best Budapest Bridges
- attractionsthings to do
- December 1, 2023
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey across the city’s seven best bridges, each with its own unique charm and history. Whether you’re a traveler seeking picturesque views or a future resident looking to connect with the city’s rich heritage, these bridges offer more than just passage over the Danube River.
• 7 Best Budapest Bridges:
1. Széchenyi Chain Bridge
2. Elizabeth Bridge
3. Margaret Bridge
4. Liberty Bridge
5. Petőfi Bridge
6. Árpád Bridge
7. Rákóczi Bridge
• Budapest Bridges Map
Budapest bridges:
1. Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest's first bridge
The Chain Bridge, known locally as Széchenyi Lánchíd, is more than just a bridge in Budapest—it’s a landmark with a story and the most famous in the city. It was the first bridge to permanently connect Buda and Pest, and it started with Count István Széchenyi’s idea in the 1800s. When it opened in 1849, it was a big moment for Hungary, coming at a time when the country was looking for ways to come together and move forward.
Night delight
By night, the bridge’s iron chains light up and really stand out. It’s like a necklace of lights on the river, which is why many people see it as one of the must-see sights in Budapest. Even after it was destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt wider and opened again on its 100th birthday, showing everyone its strength and lasting appeal.
The lions and their secret
Two lion statues keep watch over the Chain Bridge. There’s an old story that these lions were made without tongues, which made people talk and guess for a long time. But the real story is that the lions do have tongues; they’re just hard to see unless you’re looking from high up.
Széchenyi Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Széchenyi lánchíd
• Location: Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051
• Length: 375 metres (1,230 ft)
2. Elizabeth Bridge
Remembering Empress Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bridge, also central in Budapest, was named in honor of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, affectionately known as Sissi. It first opened in 1903 and was known for its unique design as a suspension bridge.
A modern reconstruction
The bridge is not the same one that stood over a century ago. World War II left it in ruins, and the reconstruction that followed was a testament to Budapest’s post-war revival. The new cable bridge that emerged in the 1960s, while different in form, continues to carry the legacy of its namesake with understated elegance.
As the third newest bridge in Budapest, it connects the city’s history with its modern pulse. Heading south, Elizabeth Bridge is next in line after Chain Bridge, and stands out with its sleek design, a poignant reminder of the city’s resilience.
Exploring Beyond
Nearby, on the Buda side, stands a statue of the legendary Empress Sissi, while on the Pest side, March 15 Square echoes the memory of the 1848-1849 Hungarian revolution.
Elizabeth Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Erzsébet híd
• Location: Budapest, Erzsébet híd, 1013
• Length: 378.6 m (1,243 ft)
3. Margaret Bridge
A link to the Island
Margaret Bridge, or Margit híd in Hungarian, is not just another bridge in Budapest—it’s a bridge with a twist. It’s the only one with a bend, taking a turn to link the city to the tranquil Margaret Island. Built swiftly between 1872 and 1876 by French engineer Ernest Goüin, Margaret Bridge became the second stone bridge to grace Budapest’s waters, right after the Chain Bridge.
A bridge with stories to tell
More than just a crossing, Margaret Bridge has witnessed Budapest’s history. Its neo-baroque splendor stood tall until World War II, when it faced destruction not once, but twice—the first time by a tragic accident during a busy hour, the second a planned demolition. Yet, it was also among the first to rise from the ruins, reconstructed just three years later, continuing its watch over the evolving city.
A viewpoint to remember
From its unique vantage point, Margaret Bridge offers a breathtaking panorama of Budapest. And for those lucky enough to visit when the Danube’s waters wane, a secret path from Margaret Island to the bridge’s pillar is revealed, offering a rare and enchanting perspective of this historic city. And don’t forget
Margaret Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Margit híd
• Location: Margit híd
• Length: 607.6 metres (1,993 ft)
4. Liberty Bridge
Viewpoint to remember
Liberty Bridge, or Szabadság híd, stands out in Budapest’s skyline with its distinctive color and design. It’s the shortest of the city’s bridges and connects two of Budapest’s most vibrant spots: the bustling Great Market Hall and the serene Gellért Hill. Originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph, the bridge was completed in time for Hungary’s millennial celebrations in 1896.
A bridge restored
Liberty Bridge’s survival story is as notable as its name. Partially destroyed during World War II, it was swiftly rebuilt, not long after the war. Unlike its original namesake, the bridge endures, now carrying the name of Liberty. It was the first among the city’s bridges to be restored post-war, a fact that reflects its resilient character.
Modern gathering place
In recent years, Liberty Bridge gained a new role as a cultural hotspot. In 2016, it transformed into a car-free zone, creating an urban lounge for community events. Though the pandemic paused these popular gatherings, the bridge remains a symbol of Budapest’s community spirit, promising the return of music, yoga, and lively socials against the backdrop of the city.
Liberty Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Szabadság híd
• Location: Budapest, Szabadság híd, 1056
• Length: 333.6 m (1,094 ft)
5. Petőfi Bridge
The poet's bridge
Continuing our journey through Budapest’s bridges brings us to Petőfi Bridge, a structure defined by its straightforward design and historical significance. Named after the esteemed Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi, it stands as a humble yet vital artery in Budapest’s circulation, connecting the city’s southern boulevard’s semicircle.
Practicality over pump
Petőfi Bridge was built in 1937 during challenging economic times, which is reflected in its unadorned architecture. Its creation spurred the development of the southern Buda side, transforming it into a thriving residential area. Although initially named after Hungarian governor Horthy Miklós, it was renamed post-World War II, honoring the poet who stirred the nation’s spirit with his words.
A colorful past
The bridge’s current gray hue belies its colorful beginnings—it was originally painted blue, adding a dash of vibrancy to its stark form. Today, Petőfi Bridge stands not for grandeur but for function, seamlessly integrating into the fabric of Budapest and reminding us that simplicity has its own enduring beauty.
Petőfi Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Petőfi híd
• Location: Budapest, Petőfi híd, 1095
• Length: 514 m (1,686 ft)
6. Árpád Bridge
Northern gateway
Árpád Bridge, stretching across the Danube in the northern part of Budapest, is a vital conduit linking Óbuda and Angyalföld. Before the construction of Megyeri Bridge, it held the title of the longest bridge in Hungary. Today, it stands busy and robust, having been spared during World War II, possibly due to its unfinished state at the time.
Untouched by time
Remarkably, Árpád Bridge was one of the few structures in Budapest to emerge from the war without damage. It wasn’t until the 1980s that it reached its current form, widened to accommodate the city’s growing traffic needs. For a brief period, it bore the name of Stalin during the communist era, but it was later renamed to honor the founding father of Hungary, Grand Prince Árpád.
The Bridge Keeper's Tradition
In a blend of the historical and the personal, Árpád Bridge is uniquely overseen by a bridge master who resides within the structure itself. This caretaker is a living link to the past, performing twice-daily inspections to ensure the bridge remains safe and sound for the countless commuters and visitors it serves.
Árpád Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Árpád híd
• Location: Budapest, Árpád híd, 1033
• Length: 378.6 m (1,242 ft)
7. Rákóczi Bridge
Southern connection
Rákóczi Bridge, once known as Lágymányosi Bridge, represents the modern expansion of Budapest’s connectivity. Opened in 1995 and planned by Tibor Sigrai, this bridge serves as a primary route for transportation, a bit further from the city’s bustling center.
Cultural hub by the Danube
While primarily a functional structure, Rákóczi Bridge’s location places it amidst a cultural nexus. Close to this southernmost bridge, one can explore the new Hungarian National Theatre and the Palace of Arts, which opened their doors in 2002 and 2005 respectively, both enhancing the Pest side with artistic vibrancy.
History and modernity
Named in honor of the influential Rákóczi family, key figures in Hungarian history, the bridge not only serves as a testament to the past but also as an anchor for the present, supporting the cultural growth of Budapest with its steadfast presence.
Rákóczi Bridge
• Name in Hungarian: Rákóczi híd
• Location: Budapest, Rákóczi híd, 1117
• Length: 514 m (1,686 ft)
Budapest Bridges Map
The map above shows the most relevant and the most beautiful bridges of Budapest. But if you want to see all the bridges in the city, click on this Google Maps link.