Széchenyi Chain Bridge: Reviews and tour prices

+20
recos
4/5 6 reviews
Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
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Pont de chaînes de Budapest
pont de chaînes de nuit
pont de chaînes Szecheny

Visiting the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

When traveling to Budapest, in Hungary, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is impossible to miss. Known as Széchenyi lánchíd in Hungarian, it stands as a point of local pride.

A project of massive scale for its time

Navigating the Danube was once a difficult prospect for river traffic, particularly during winter. Connecting the two sides of the city, Buda and Pest, proved to be an engineering challenge. Count István Széchenyi proposed the construction of a grand bridge in 1839. Scottish engineer Adam Clark managed the project over ten years, following designs by the English engineer William Tierney Clark. This monumental structure, highly regarded at the time, features a 360-meter deck supported by two stone towers linked by heavy iron chains. The suspension design was chosen specifically to withstand floods and ice floes. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge became an immediate success and serves as a symbol of Budapest. German forces destroyed the structure in 1945, but it was rebuilt and reopened to traffic in 1949. Since 2009, the bridge has been featured on the Hungarian 200 HUF (about $0.55) coin.

A favorite for travelers in Budapest

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge sits in the heart of the city near major historic landmarks and provides a vital link across the Danube. You can cross by car or on foot, and the view is unmatched, especially at night when the city lights reflect off the water. You can also view the structure from a boat cruise on the river. Look closely at the reliefs to spot carvings of the coat of arms of Hungary and the crest of the Széchenyi family. At either end of the bridge, two massive stone lions stand guard. According to local legend, the sculptor János Marschalkó threw himself into the river, distraught after realizing he had forgotten to carve tongues for the lions.

Guided tours at varying prices (includes free options!)*Booking recommended
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Reviews of Széchenyi Chain Bridge

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Summary of 6 reviews
4/5
Average rating
+20
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
3.7
As a couple
4.2
With friends
4

Avygeo ranking

#172
in the world
#157
in Europe
#6
in Hungary
#6
in Budapest

Iconic bridge

A pretty bridge that lets you take in both banks of the Danube at a glance, and check out its width too! Obviously useful for getting from the Buda side to the Pest side (and vice versa). Don't miss the lion statues on each side, whose tongues (absent or too small according to some) supposedly caused a controversy and, according to legend, led to the architect's death...

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Very pretty bridge

The Budapest Chain Bridge is very famous. It is a very pretty bridge, suspended by chains. It offers a magnificent view of the city. I recommend you visit it. Just do not have too many expectations either. It is still a bridge. A lot of people are disappointed when they see this monument.

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To connect Buda and Pest

I had high expectations for the Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest after seeing the Charles Bridge in Prague a few days earlier. So much so that I checked Google to make sure I was in the right place! It is certainly a pretty bridge, but I have seen much better, if only in Paris.
There are no chains in the sense of lovers' padlocks here, as the chains actually suspend the bridge. The prettiest part is the giant lions at the entrance. You are going to use it to cross the Danube anyway.

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Nice setting but the bridge is pretty average

When arriving in Budapest, I made a note to absolutely see this bridge since all the guidebooks rave about it. The one presented as the Pearl of the Danube is actually in a great location, connecting the two historic hearts of Buda and Pest, the two cities that merged to become Budapest. The view of the Castle up on the hill and the Corso quays is pretty. Now, the bridge itself is rather ordinary. The lion statues that decorate it and its architecture did not impress me all that much.
All that to say, yes, it is worth visiting and crossing, if only to wander through the most interesting neighborhoods of the city, but do not expect too much from it.

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A postcard from Budapest

I love the view from this bridge, and from the banks.

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Pretty views of Budapest

The river flowing below, the city with its hill and castle taking shape on the horizon, the views from the bridge are some of the best in Budapest, especially at night

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