Plizio Visual Lab

Chain Bridge

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

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The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest and most famous bridge across the Danube in Budapest, serving as a national symbol of Hungary. It was constructed between 1839 and 1849 following the initiative of Count István Széchenyi, based on designs by English engineer William Tierney Clark. The construction was overseen by Scottish engineer Adam Clark, whose name is now honored by the square at the Buda end of the bridge. Upon its completion, it was one of the largest suspension bridges in the world and the first permanent link between the cities of Buda and Pest. The bridge is guarded by massive stone lion statues at both ends, carved by sculptor János Marschalkó. During World War II, the bridge was blown up by retreating German forces but was faithfully rebuilt and reopened in 1949, exactly 100 years after its original inauguration. Today, it remains a vital landmark and a focal point of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube riverbank view.

Location: Budapest, Hungary
Top sights: Széchenyi Chain Bridge · Kossuth Lajos Múzeumhajó · Széchenyi István tér

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-2	0	5	11	16	21	23	22	17	11	5	0
Rain mm	39	40	41	35	65	70	66	63	57	51	44	43

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Chain Bridge is open to pedestrians and vehicles around the clock and can be visited free of charge. The two bridgeheads and the lion statues are popular photo subjects.

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Typical hours

The bridge is accessible at all times, with night lighting being especially impressive. For a moody photo, visit around dusk.

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Photography

Photography is allowed on the entire bridge, even with a tripod at night. Watch out for traffic if you step onto the roadway - the sidewalk is safer.

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Time needed

A walk across the bridge takes about 15 minutes. With photo stops and views of the Parliament building, budget 30 to 45 minutes.

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Combine with

Links Buda and Pest - well-suited for exploring the Castle District and the city centre. A Danube cruise passing under the bridge is also worthwhile.

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Getting there

The bridge is easily reachable on foot from Clark Ádám tér (Buda) or Széchenyi István tér (Pest) stations. Trams and buses stop nearby.

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Insider tip

Visit the bridge at dawn when the first sunlight gilds the chains. Avoid peak traffic hours to escape the noise of vehicles.

Geography

Coordinates

47.49900, 19.04360

Facts

First permanent stone bridge across the Danube in Budapest.
Built between 1839 and 1849 based on William Tierney Clark's plans.
Largely funded and initiated by Count István Széchenyi.
The iconic lion statues were carved by the sculptor János Marschalkó.
Blown up by retreating German troops in January 1945 during WWII.
Reopened in 1949, exactly 100 years after its first inauguration.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Danube Promenade<1 km · SEExplore →

Nyugati Railway Station2 km · NEExplore →

Great Market Hall2 km · SEExplore →

Gellért Hill2 km · SExplore →

Sas Hill3 km · SWExplore →

Vajdahunyad Castle3 km · NEExplore →

Margaret Island3 km · NExplore →

Pálvölgyi Cave4 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Chain Bridge (10)

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Classicist chain bridge with stone pillars over the Danube, connecting Buda and Pest.

🕒 24/7♿

Kossuth Lajos Múzeumhajó🏛 museum

Hungarian paddle steamer from 1913, now a museum ship on the Danube.

🌐 venhajo-etterem.hu🕒 11:00-23:00🆓

Széchenyi István tér🌳 park

Square in Budapest named after István Széchenyi, at the Chain Bridge's Pest end.

Orgona 22 Gallery

Gallery in Budapest hosting contemporary art exhibitions.

Millenium

Monument or sculpture in Budapest commemorating the millennium.

Alagút, keleti bejárat

Eastern entrance of the tunnel under Buda Castle Hill, offering a view.

MTA Művészeti Gyűjtemény🏛 museum

Art collection of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest.

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Seat of the learned society of Hungary, an imposing building on the Danube.

XVIII sz-ban átalakitott középkori épulet maradványa

Remains of a medieval building in Budapest, remodeled in the 18th century.

Testőrpalota🏛 museum

Museum in Budapest housed in the former palace of the bodyguards.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk across the Chain Bridge?

Yes, after the renovation, the sidewalks are open to pedestrians and offer a great view of the Parliament.

Do the lions on the bridge really have no tongues?

This is just a legend. They do have tongues, but they are not visible from the perspective of a pedestrian looking from below.

When was the bridge built?

It was the first permanent bridge over the Danube in Budapest, inaugurated in 1849.

Is the bridge illuminated at night?

Yes, the bridge has beautiful modern LED decorative lighting that is switched on after sunset.

Which areas does the bridge connect?

It connects Clark Ádám Square in Buda (at the foot of the Castle) with Széchenyi István Square in Pest.

Chain Bridge: where is it located?

Chain Bridge is located in Budapest, Hungary.

Chain Bridge: what is there to see?

Highlights include Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Kossuth Lajos Múzeumhajó, Széchenyi István tér.

Chain Bridge: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Chain Bridge: why is it worth visiting?

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest and most famous bridge across the Danube in Budapest, serving as a national symbol of Hungary.

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