Chain Bridge Budapest

Széchenyi Lánchíd – The First Permanent Connection Between Buda and Pest

Inauguration & Picnic On The Bridge, August 4th, 2023, 18.00 – 24.00:

The renewed, historic bridge – the sidewalks on both sides and the underpasses – finally reopen to everyone on Friday, August 04, 2023., after two years of renovation.

The Municipality of Budapest and the Budapest Transport Centre celebrate the occasion with a picnic on the bridge. Programs start at 18.00/6pm and welcome everyone till midnight:

  • Live music
  • Ice cream, pretzel and lemonade from the tents set up on the bridge – (free until availability)
  • Kids’ activities: face painting, coloring, and constructing the brige from LEGO
  • Guided walks on the bridge (in Hungarian)
  • Light lanterns

After midnight a festive illumination will be switched on the bridge to celebrate the end of the monumental reconstruction project.

See more August 2023 programs in Budapest!

the Chain Bridge in Budapest with the lights on at the blue hour
The Chain bridge bathed in green decorative lighting

The Chain Bridge is one of the best known of all Budapest bridges.

The picturesque historic stone bridge straddles the Danube between Széchenyi Square on the Pest side and Clark Ádám Square in Buda.

You can walk across it from Buda to Pest and back; an excellent way to absorb the World Heritage-protected sites and panorama and to take wonderful photos.

It offers one of the city’s most stunning views with the mighty Danube flowing below you.

The grandiose Parliament dominates the riverside in Pest, while Castle Hill towers at the Buda end.

The panorama at night will fascinate you even more, when the lights of the city reflect in the dark river.

TIP: Usually the bridge is open for pedestrians during the August 20. / St. Stephen’s day festivities that end with a grandiose fireworks show launched from ships moored close to the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge as well as the top of Gellért Hill.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge History- Budapest ‘s Oldest Bridge

Chain bridge lighted up at night

For centuries only a pontoon bridge connected Buda and Pest. Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860), the Greatest Hungarian came up with the idea of constructing a permanent bridge across the Danube.

In December 1820 he received the news that his father had died in Vienna.

Because of the hard winter the pontoon bridge was out of use.

Stranded on the Pest side for a week, Count Széchenyi vowed that he would finance construction of a permanent bridge over the Danube, regardless of the costs.

It took him almost 50 years to achieve it.

In 1836 Széchenyi commissioned William Clark, an English engineer to draft the plans of the bridge.

Construction began in 1842. A Scotsman, Adam Clark oversaw the works (he is a namesake of William Clark).

aerial view of the Chain bridge spanning the Danube

The final phase of construction took place during the 1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence.

One of the first walkers across the bridge were the soldiers of the Hungarian Army of Independence.

They retreated from the Austrian troops in 1849.

The Austrians attempted to blow up the bridge, but luckily the explosives did not go off.

The bridge facilitated the union of Buda, Pest and Óbuda in 1873 and contributed to Budapest’s boom.

Széchenyi collapsed mentally in 1848 and was not able to see his dream come true.

Unfortunately the Germans succeeded in destroying the bridge during the siege of Budapest in 1945.

entrance of the the Tunnel under Castle Hill

Reconstruction began in 1947 and Chain Bridge was rebuilt in its original form by 1949.

Adam Clark dug a tunnel under Castle Hill to provide easy access to places in Buda behind the hill. The tunnel is exactly the same long than the Chain Bridge.

According to a popular anecdote, when it rains the bridge can be pushed into the tunnel to prevent it from getting wet.

TIP: Want to see all the major bridges, including the Chain Bridge from a different perspective? Go on a sightseeing boat tour on the Danube! Browse our recommendation for good-value Budapest river cruises.

Langosh and Beer Cruise

Langosh & Beer Cruise

Departures: 16:00 / 18:00 / 20:00 / 22:00

Duration: 85 min. – Price32

The Chain Bridge in Numbers

The width of the Danube required building a suspension bridge.

Two vaulted stone pillars hold the robust iron structure that weights nearly 5,200 tons.

a stone lion head
Lion Statue at the bridgehead

The bridge is 375 metres long and 16 metres wide.

The span between the pillars measures 202 metres. Two stone lion statues guard both bridgeheads.

According to the story, the sculptor, Marschalko János forgot to carve out the lions’ tongues.

A boy made a remark about it at the opening ceremony. The sculptor became so distressed that he jumped off the bridge into the Danube.

Attractions Near the Chain Bridge, Budapest

Attractions are abound in the immediate vicinity of the Széchenyi Lánchíd, we’ve listed only the nearest ones here.

Castle Bazaar & Royal Gardens

the flowery Clark Adam Square at the Buda end of the bridge

A series of

  • arcades,
  • gardens,
  • stairs and statues adorn the area north of Clark Adam tér built in the second part of the 19. century according to the designs of Miklós Ybl architect.

The complex have been neglected in past decades but following a large-scale renovation it shines again in its original beauty.

The  buildings, gardens, an underground event centre, cafes and restaurants – commonly known as Várkert Bazár/Castle Bazaar by locals had been completely renewed in 2014.

The place regularly hosts concerts and various festivals (Easter, Christmas) and you can also view unique exhibitions in the palaces.

Clark Ádám Square

The square at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge received its name after the constructor of the Bridge, Adam Clark.

From spring till autumn colourful flowers adorn the middle of the park.

A strange-looking oval stone stands near the funicular, the 0 kilometer stone. All road distances in the country are measured from here.

0km stone clark adam square
0 kilometer stone on Clark Adam square
funicular buda castle hill
Funicular going up Castle Hill in Budapest

The funicular departs up to Castle District from the square. The district offers plenty to see with stunning vista from the Fishermen’s bastion.

Read more about Budapest Castle District.

Széchenyi Square – The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

Széchenyi Square flanks the bridgehead in Pest.

Two architectural masterpieces,

Shoes On The Danube Memorial

a woman in a pink jacket is taking photos of the "shoe" memorial

If you walk along the riverbank towards the Parliament you will find the striking and famous Shoes on the Danube memorial.

The 60 pairs of cast iron shoes were created in 2005 in memoriam of the thousands of Hungarian Jews shot into the river in 1944-45.

Dunakorzó (Danube Promenade)

danube promenade budapest 1
Danube Promenade on the Pest bank of the Danube

Stroll between Széchenyi Square and Erzsébet Bridge along the Danube in Pest and take in the superb view of the opposite Castle Hill and the river.

Rows of cafés and luxury hotels line the riverbank.

Although Dunakorzó had its heyday in the second half of the 19th century, it still tempting for a walk.

Downtown Budapest is just the right place to explore it on foot.

See also our selection of walking tours in Budapest.

Where to Eat near the Chain Bridge – Restaurants & Cafes

Restaurants along Danube PromenadeIn Pest

The Danube Promenade, a panoramic walkway between the Chain Bridge and Erzsébet Bridge in Pest, offers wide selection of great restaurants.

Prices are high due to the fashionable and touristy location.

TIP: The major hotels along the riverbank have outdoor terraces (Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge, Marriott Hotel, Intercontinental) ideal for a drink and snack.

You can have a good meal on one of the moored boat restaurants as well (the Spoon Boat Restaurant is a favourite of mine).

KOLLÁZS Brasserie & Bar – in the Gresham Palace/Four Seasons Hotel

inside Kollazs Brasserie

Address: Széchenyi tér 5-6., inside the Four Seasons Hotel

Opening Hours: Breakfast: 06.30–10.30, Lunch: 12.00–15.00

Open between Lunch & Dinner for Snacks.

Dinner: 18.00–22.30

Sunday Brunch: from 12.00–15.00, Price: 8.800 HUF

KOLLÁZS is one of the newest gems of the Budapest’s constantly evolving restaurant scene opposite the Chain Bridge in the Gresham Palace.

A modern European bistro that combines exciting interior, creative cuisine (French, Hungarian) with attentive service and affordable rates.

The interior evokes the atmosphere of the 1910s and ’20s, a worthy tribute to the city’s legendary coffee-house culture and the secession era.

A stylish, comfortable environment for breakfast, lunch or dinner with four distinct areas:

  • an open barbecue,
  • a bar (excellent cocktails created by Jamie Jones award winning bartender and cocktail guru – try the Zwackapa made with the unique Hungarian digestive, the Unicum),
  • a wine cellar and
  • a confectionery (yes, you can pop in just for a cake and coffee).

A nice place to try for a true urban feeling in downtown Budapest!

Marionett Craft Beer House

Address: Apáczai Csere János utca 4., district V., inside the Budapest Marriott Hotel
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 15.00-02.00

The neighbourhood’s one and only craft beer house with 18 beer taps offering a taste of local brews and simple, tasty food.

Trattoria Toscana

view from the terrace of Trattoria Toscana

Address: Belgrád rakpart 13-15.,
Open: daily: 12.00 – 24.00
Website

Enjoy the unique riverside panorama at the Pest bank of the Danube in an Italian-style tavern.

The restaurant offers traditional Italian food.

Taverna Dionysos Greek Restaurant

Address: Belgrád rakpart 16., district V.
Open: 12.00 – 24.00 every day
Website

Serves all kinds of Greek dishes at affordable price despite the central location.

MagyarQTR (formerly Gepárd és Űrhajo Wine Bistro)

Address: Belgrád rakpart 18., Budapest, district V.
Open: 12.00 – 24.00 every day
Website

MagyarQTR's terrace

An inventive bistro centered around the fine Hungarian wines made by János Bolyki from the Eger wine region but other wine regions’ offers can be also found on the wine list (Badacsony, Villány, Szekszárd and Tokaj).

The menu is delightfully short featuring traditional local dishes prepared in a modern, creative way.

There’s a separate chef’s offer and a weekly menu at a friendly price.

Pálinka (a popular local fruit spirit) also gets the attention on the drinks menu.

The scenic view of the Gellért Hill and the Danube balances the minimal interior design.

  • Professional,
  • friendly service,
  • great food and drinks
  • at a fantastic location!

The two-course daily menu for 990 HUF is a steal at such a premier location in Budapest..

Jerney Bistro

Address: Vígadó tér 3., Budapest, district V.
Open: 11.00 – 23.00 every day

Another place with Italian cuisine along with some Hungarian dishes.

In Buda

ZONA – Fine Dining with a View

The bar area in ZONA restaurant

Address: Lánchíd utca 4., district I.

Opening Hours: every day. 12.00-24.00
Website

ZONA is a gourmet restaurant and contemporary wine bar in district I. next to the Buda end of the Chain Bridge.

It’s at just a stone’s throw from Buda Castle Hill packed with historic sights and landmarks

  • the Royal Palace housing the History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery,
  • Matthias Church,
  • Fishermen’s Bastion.

The above mentioned Várkert Bazaar and Gardens is located just south of the restaurant at a moment’s walk.

But enough about the prime location and the dazzling view you can enjoy from the small, romantic terrace, the good news is that the food is superb too.

Following a change of chefs and a refurbishment in 2015 ZONA managed to renew offering fine food food within a youthful, laid-back environment.

Try the degustation menu for 14 900 HUF/person (without drinks):

  • amuse bouche,
  • confit foie gras with green apple compote and walnut crumble,
  • scallops with black risotto,
  • red dulse and saffron,
  • carrot soup spiced with ginger,
  • rabbit textures with Savoy cabbage,
  • parsnip and carrots, and
  • for dessert: chocolate mousse with Armagnac, prunes and orange ice cream.

A good-value place – top-quality meals from fresh, seasonal ingredients but not overpriced!

More Restaurant Tips:

Best Budapest Restaurants – selection of the top restaurants, cafes and bistros.

Hungarian Restaurants Budapest – the best places to try traditional local dishes.

FAQs

Is Chain Bridge in Budapest still closed? When will Chain Bridge reopen?

The bridge reopened to pedestrians and all other types of traffic on August 4, 2023.

Why is the Chain Bridge in Budapest famous?

The Chain Bridge in Budapest is best known for being the first permanent stone bridge across the Danube River between Buda and Pest, the two sides of the city.

It’s also famous for the toungeless lion statues guarding the bridge heads in Buda and Pest, see the story above. The lions and the bridge in itself are symbol of the Hungarian capital.

Can you walk across the chain bridge in budapest?

Yes, there are sidewalks on both side of the road where you can cross over from Buda to Pest and back.

Similar Budapest Attractions

  • Szt. István Basilica – the largest church and the tallest building of the city, was named after Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen, whose mummified right hand is kept here.
  • Heroes’ Square – a sprawling plaza at the end of Andrássy Boulevard, next to the City park/Városliget with statues and memorials from Hungary’s rich history.
  • Margaret Island – a spacious island with large landscaped parks, walkways, musical fountains, playgrounds, and medieval ruins in the middle of the Danube north of the Parliament building.