The Chain Bridge in Budapest (Széchenyi Chain Bridge) is the most famous bridge in the city and one of its most iconic landmarks. Many cruise companies, such as Duna-Weser, Budapest Boat, and others, operate their cruises from the docks located near the bridge.
So if you’re visiting the area and looking to take a cruise from there, here are all the cruises in Budapest that depart near the Chain Bridge:
Széchenyi Chain Bridge (in Hungarian: Széchenyi Lánchíd) is the first permanent bridge over the Danube in Hungary, connecting Buda and Pest. The bridge is located in the heart of Budapest, between Elisabeth Bridge and Margaret Island, and was inaugurated on November 20, 1849.
Its length is about 375 meters and its width is about 14.8 meters, and crossing it on foot takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The bridge starts at Clark Ádám Square on the Buda side and ends near the Hungarian Academy of Sciences on the Pest side.
The bridge was blown up and almost completely destroyed during World War II by the Nazis and was rebuilt as an exact reconstruction in 1949. Today the bridge serves both vehicles and pedestrians, and it is also considered a symbol and one of the most famous tourist monuments in Budapest, beautifully illuminated at night by about 1,180 light fixtures.
The central location of the bridge allows very easy and fast access using Budapest’s excellent public transportation system. If you are coming from the Pest side, you can take metro lines M1, M2, or M3 and get off at Deák Ferenc tér station, which is about a 10-minute walk, or take tram line 2 and get off at Széchenyi István tér. The bus lines that reach the bridge are 105, 16, and 178, with the closest stop being Széchenyi István tér.
If you are coming from the Buda side, you can take the M2 metro line to Batthyány tér station and then walk about 12 minutes to the bridge, or take tram lines 19 and 41 and bus lines 16, 105, or 178. Get off at Clark Ádám tér station, which is the closest to the bridge.
Széchenyi István Square (Széchenyi István tér): A very famous square in Budapest surrounded by historic buildings and luxury hotels. Here you will find the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Magyar Tudományos Akadémia) and the Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel.
St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika): One of the most beautiful churches in Europe, located about a 10-minute walk from the bridge. Don’t miss the terrace of the church with a wonderful panoramic view of Budapest.
Danube Promenade: The most famous and touristic promenade along the Danube in Budapest, located just a few minutes’ walk from the bridge.
Madame Tussauds Museum Budapest: The Hungarian branch of the famous wax museum chain, located just a few minutes’ walk from the Chain Bridge.
Castle Hill (Budavári Palota / Castle Hill): A UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Buda Castle (Budavári Palota), the Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria), the Budapest History Museum (Budapesti Történeti Múzeum), and the National Széchényi Library (Széchényi National Library). It is recommended to go up the hill using the famous funicular.
Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya): A magnificent bastion located about a 20-minute walk or a short ride from the bridge, offering the best view of the Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building. Next to it you will also find Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom).
Gellért Baths (Gellért Gyógyfürdő): One of the most famous spa complexes in Budapest, located about a 15-minute walk from the bridge.
