The Szechenyi Chain Bridge

The Szechenyi Chain Bridge lit at night
Photograph by Wilfredor, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The first permanent bridge between the two halves of the city, free to walk, and best after dark.

What it costs

Nothing. It is a public bridge.

At the Buda end, the funicular up to the castle starts from Clark Adam ter and charges its own fare, separate from the transport system.

One of the stone lions at the Chain Bridge
Photograph via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

When to go

After dark, when it is lit. The walk across takes a few minutes and gives the classic view of Parliament from the water. It reopened after a long renovation, and private car traffic across it is restricted, which has made it a far better walk than it used to be.

Getting there

Metro M1 to Vorosmarty ter for the Pest end; the Buda end is at Clark Adam ter, served by buses and the funicular.

The deck of the Chain Bridge, with Parliament beyond
Photograph by Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

If you only have an hour

Cross it after dark from Pest to Buda, then turn right along the embankment for the view back at Parliament on the water. Return over Margaret Bridge if you have the legs, or catch tram 2 back down the Pest side.

What people get wrong

The lions at either end are widely said to have no tongues, with a story about the sculptor drowning himself over it. They do have tongues — just not visible from below, which is where the story comes from. The bridge opened in 1849 and was, like most of the city’s bridges, blown up in 1945 and rebuilt.

The Chain Bridge and its lion at night
Photograph by Wilfredor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearby

Ticketing arrangements and opening patterns as published for 2026 and checked on 4 September 2026. These change without much warning — confirm with the site itself before you travel. More sights, and how they fit together, in Landmarks & Sights.

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