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Széchenyi Lánchíd

Széchenyi Lánchíd

Széchenyi Lánchíd
4.5
About
Completed in 1849, this bridge was the first to be built across the Hungarian section of the Danube and is now considered to be one of the city's major landmarks.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Széchenyi Lánchíd
The area
Neighbourhood: Várkerület
How to get there
  • Vörösmarty tér • 8 min walk
  • Kossuth Lajos tér • 10 min walk
See what travellers are saying
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, United Kingdom828,871 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and historic bridge
    Szechenyi Lanchid ( Chain Bridge ) is a beautiful chain bridge that span the mighty River Danube in Budapest and connects Buda and Pest. The bridge was designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark and built by Scottish engineer Adam Clark and was at the time the first permanent bridge to span the River Danube with construction starting in 1840 and the bridge opening in 1849 . This classic chain suspension bridge has a length of 375 metres and is 14.8 metres wide ,the bridge was named in honour of it's biggest supporter Istvan Szechenyi but is known to one and all as " Chain Bridge" . I love walking across this bridge ,the views of the River Danube are amazing ,the views of both Buda and Pest are spectacular and you can view the other great bridges that span this most famous of rivers ,if you're planning a holiday to Budapest it's a must go destination.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 21 November 2023
  • Semaan D. Makary
    Lebanon1,213 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the most beautiful bridges!
    Opened in 1849, Budapest’s magnificent suspension bridge connects the Buda (West) and Pest (Eastern) sides of the city, arching over the River Danube. Designed by an English engineer & built by a Scot, the bridge is a symbol of national pride & economic advancement. In World War II, the bridge was blown up on 18 January 1945 by the retreating Germans during the Siege of Budapest, with only the towers remaining. It was rebuilt & reopened in 1949.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 6 January 2024
  • KodoDrummer
    Buenos Aires, Argentina70,581 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A chain suspension bridge marvel of engineering
    When completed in 1849, this Budapest landmark was recognized for its innovative engineering. It underwent renovations from 2021 to August 2023. The bridge continues to be admired for its rich architecture. I walked across the bridge to board the Funicular for a ride to Castle Hill.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 11 March 2024
  • NikJ
    Ascot, United Kingdom946 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive, both day and night
    Over the past few years the bridge has been renovated, and as one of the many bridges on the Danube, that connects Buda and Pest, it is both impressive in both the day and evening times. Visited on Easter Monday, when parts do the city have traffic restrictions allowed easier photos without the usual traffic flowing . Lit up at night
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 4 April 2024
  • Ravindra V
    Hyderabad, India1,596 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful bridge
    A beautiful bridge which connects Buda to Pest from Buda Castle side (Buda) to Hungarian parliament side (Pest). It is very well built and is nice for walking. You get to see other bridges and attractions while walking on this bridge.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 June 2024
  • BrakiWorldTraveler
    Belgrade, Serbia20,004 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Budapest most beautiful bridge
    Budapest is famous for its bridges - there're several very nice ones, but the Chain bridge is the most magnificent one. Bridge is a work of art with two triumphal arches like pilons on each side. It has only one lane in each direction, as well the pedestrian path. Do come both, day and night.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 July 2024
  • Ian S
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Magnificent Bridge
    On Sunday 28th July, 2024, we arrived at Budapest on a TUI River Cruiser. It was very hot and in the afternoon boarded a tram to the wonderful Chain Bridge. There are several bridges in Budapest over the Danube but this is the most famous. It was designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark. The bridge has a pedestrian path on either side with a single lane each way for the busy traffic. Of course it links Buda to Pest (West to East). Great views from the bridge of the Parliament and many other famous buildings on either side of the river. At night we had a cruise up the Danube and saw all bridges and many attractions illuminated - what a lovely sight. The Chain Bridge is well worth a visit if you come to Budapest.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 August 2024
  • TravelingSoccerLoon
    Saint Paul, Minnesota6,511 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and Historic Bridge Stunning When Illuminated at Night
    The Szechenyi Chain Bridge is beautiful and historic and is an iconic site in Budapest. It was an architectural marvel when it was built in 1849 and was the first bridge across the Danube in Hungary connecting Buda and Pest. It was rebuilt after WWII as the original was blown up by the retreating Germans with only the towers standing. If the lions that guard each end of the bridge look familiar, they are the same design that was installed at Trafalgar Square in London around 20 years later. There are several ways to experience the bridge. It is easy to walk across on your way to Castle Hill as there is a pedestrian path. Views from the Danube embankment or from a boat cruise on the Danube are terrific. The bridge is particularly stunning at night when illuminated especially with Buda Castle in the background.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles17,647 reviews
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5,630
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1,551
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131
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Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,149 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge across the Danube, linking Buda and Pest in 1849. The bridge was designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark, and named after the great Hungarian statesman István Szécheny. The cast-iron bridge is is supported by stone piers; with lions on each end abutment (by sculptor János Marschalkó). The bridge became a symbol of technological achievement, Hungarian national awakening, and the strengthening links between eastern and western Europe. Regrettably, the bridge was blown up in January 1945 by the retreating German forces during the Siege of Budapest, with only the towers remaining standing; it was rebuilt, and reopened in 1949. I enjoyed walking across the bridge on a wide pedestrian pathway from Széchenyi Ter. (Pest side) to Adam Clark Square (Buda side), near the lower station of the Castle Hill Funicular. The bridge is beautifully lit at night. It is accessible at all times with no crossing fee.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom J
London, UK1,843 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The Szechenyi Chain Bridge is one of which always surprises me whilst in Budapest. Originally designed and opened around the middle of the 19th century by English design engineer William Tierney Clark this is one of 2 bridges left standing by the engineer. Having been blown up by retreating Germans during the Siege of Budapest in WW2, the bridge was restored and plays an important part in modern day Budapest's transport system by connecting Buda to Pest.

The stone lions at each end of the bridge are also impressive and photo worthy, very similar in design to those in Trafalgar Square London in fact. Be sure to check the bridge out day or night as it is impressive in both, night time gives the best photo opportunities with it all being impressively lit.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Md2012
Chisinau, Moldova389 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Family
The Chain Bridge is a real Hungarian icon. It is the symbol of the city.
You can walk across it from Buda to Pest and back – an excellent way to absorb the World Heritage-protected sights and panorama and to take wonderful photos.
It offers one of the city’s most stunning views with the mighty Danube flowing below you.
Written 6 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob
Dublin, Ireland2,927 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
1 part big transport hub across the Danube and another part tourist attraction. It can be sightly frustrating trying to walk across with the amount of tourists snapping pics especially sunset. The views of the bridge from the hills is in many ways more impressive than being on the bridge itself especially when you can see the parliament in the background.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nitin K
Budapest, Hungary30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Its so beautifully lit at night. Best it to take a journey on foot, late in night around 10:00, so the traffic is less. So can find so many opportunities to click pics with nice background.
Coming from Buda side towards Pest, you can see the beautiful building of Budapest Parliament, which is well lit and you can see a good reflection of it in Danube
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AJH
Cromwell, New Zealand37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The Chain Bridge in Budapest links the 2 sides of the city, Buda and Pest. It’s historic significance is important and it’s a great way to see various city sights, providing many photo opportunities as you travel across it. We walked.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne C
Glen Rock, NJ1,127 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
It's beautiful and historic. It's the first real link between Buda and Pest, and, was the first permanent bridge linking Buda and Pest. István Széchenyi made the construction happen after he was unable to cross the Danube to get to his father's funeral.

It's walkable (and run-able, if you're my husband). This is one of those things where form and function conspire to create a lovely element that helps to define a city. LIke so many structures in this part of Europe, it suffered damage in WWII but was repaired/rebuilt. Regardless of whether you know anything about it or not, you cannot deny its visual and practical contribution to making Budapest the lovely city that it is.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charl Attan
Melbourne, Australia30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
A quick walk from one end to the other. Be sure to read the inscriptions beneath the lions on each corner.

Watch the gulls use the tide to float under the bridge, then fly back out and repeat this process over and over.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roger S
Eygelshoven, The Netherlands276 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
We crossed this bridge several times by bus and by foot. A really nice location with a special detail: the bridge construction is patially made up of huge chains, so big it took a while before I noticed. Amaing bridge!
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin_K
Accrington, UK2,839 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is just a short walk from central Budapest and the walk over the bridge connecting Pest and Buda is something that somehow brings you very close to feeling of history. As I walked across I couldn’t help but make a comparison to the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The character seems to be different between day and night and it’s well worth visiting at both times. The embankment of the Danube with the bridge and the castle and the St Matthias church forming the backdrops make the whole experience quite enchanting
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SZÉCHENYI LÁNCHÍD (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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