Photos: The Chain Bridge in Budapest at Night.
Photos of the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) in Budapest on a dark, foggy yet romantic night.
I remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday. But this particular unforgettable travel moment happened last April.
It was a warm, foggy and wet night in Budapest. A seeming gloomy and forlorn mood was cast over the city. The romantic in me just loves days like this, especially in my favorite city in the world.
I was happily strolling across the Chain Bridge with a friend heading from Pest over to Buda for dinner. Breathing deeply, I sighed with happiness and was filled with a deep sense of contentment as I took in the familiar landscape of Buda Castle, the Parliament Building, the Four Seasons, the Danube and well, quite simply stated felt at home.
Breaking my reverie, my friend suddenly exclaimed “Isn’t Budapest romantic? This city is beautiful. In fact, I think it’s even nicer than Prague.”
I stopped, turned and looked at him smiling. It was as if he read my mind and even my heart. I’d never met someone who felt the same way as I did about Budapest! For this reason, I’ll always treasure that moment.
Budapest’s an extremely picturesque and beautiful city which can be best experienced by walking across the Chain Bridge (or “Széchenyi Lánchíd” in Hungarian) either by day or by night. I enjoy doing this so much that I make an effort to walk across this bridge each time I come to Budapest.
Nighttime is a perfect time to stroll any city like Prague, Krakow and Szczecin to name just a few. To me Budapest by night is when the city is at it’s finest.
This historic suspension bridge that connects the Pest and Buda sides of the city is a monument in itself. Opening up in 1849, it was hailed as a “modern engineering wonder” and seen as a significant achievement further linking East and West, North America and Europe. Guarded on each side by two regal and fierce-looking lions, this bridge almost begs you to walk across it, cruise under it and take photo-after-photo.
As you can see, that’s just what I did on my last trip to Budapest last November. Knowing I was due to return to Canada for a while, I spent three days in my “home-away-from-home“. So naturally, the very first thing I did when I arrived was walk along the bridge.
Alone with bittersweet tears filling my eyes, I walked along the bridge gazing out at the city I loved so much, recalling the times I’d visited there before (ahem, the moment I described above) and wondered when I’d be back.
I can tell you right now, my return can’t come soon enough!
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Cheryl Howard
A Canadian who quit her job, sold everything she owned and left behind a great life all to move to Berlin for 18 months. Now based at home again in Toronto, Cheryl continues her career as a freelance writer specializing in European travel and expat life. She's now on a mission to slowly re-discover her home and native land through a series of weekend trips.
19 Responses to Photos: The Chain Bridge in Budapest at Night.
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Cheryl Howard.
A Canadian who quit her job, sold everything she owned and left behind a great life all to move to Berlin for 18 months. Now based at home again in Toronto, Cheryl continues her career as a freelance writer specializing in European travel and expat life. She's now on a mission to slowly re-discover her home and native land through a series of weekend trips.
Filled with wanderlust, her nomadic heart and soul has taken her to over 25 countries throughout North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Unable to sit still for long, she's always planning her next trip.
Want to contact Cheryl? Email her at cheryl.howard@gmail.com.Subscribe.
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I love Budapest! It is our absolute favorite European city. We’ve walked across the Chain Bridge many times, most recently last month when we went for Budapest’s Christmas markets.
@Jennifer – I love that you guys love Budapest too! All too often I hear people put down the city and I just don’t understand why. What is there not to love?
And you were there for the Christmas markets? How lovely! I was there over Christmas in 2010.
Gorgeous photos Cheryl! Very photogenic place
@A Montrealer Abroad – Thank you so much. I had a such a willing subject.
Love this bridge! Amazing shots
Andrea Recently Posted … Comparing Car Rental Companies For the Best Deal
@Andrea – Thanks! The Chain Bridge keeps bringing me back over and over again.
Love it! This bridge is SO photogenic.
Amanda Recently Posted … Highlights of Belize and Guatemala
@Amanda – Thank you so much! Yes, the bridge is very photogenic. I could do another post on shots I have during the day.
I walked this bridge a few times at night, and it really is impressive, as your photos show. I haven’t been to Budapest in a very long time, but you’re making me want to go back
Jenna Recently Posted … Tips for New Bloggers
@Jenna – Yes, it’s one of the mandatory things to do when you’re back in Budapest again. Hope you make it there soon!
Fabulous nighttime shots of beauty, and extremely interesting to me as we plan to see Budapest this spring, so I’ll be looking forward to walking the chain bridge myself!
Greg Prohl Recently Posted … Hiking in Washington, Part Two – Summerland-Panhandle Gap
@Greg – Excellent news. I highly encourage you to walk along the bridge – it’s something you have to see with your own eyes!
Beautiful details.
@Stephanie – I agree, it’s one beautiful bridge.
Great photos Cheryl! Night time always adds a different kind of beauty to cityscapes. Budapest is a city that I would love to spend a lot of time in.
Dean Recently Posted … Flooded out while camping in Canungra, Australia
@Dean – Danke! You might fall in love just like I did.
We’re heading to Buadpest for the first time this Spring. I can’t wait to see it. We had the chance to stop there during the Mongol Rally, but we were too focused on driving rather than taking in the sights at that point. I’m glad we have a second chance to explore the city, and now we will definitely do it at night!
@Deb – I can’t wait to see your posts and photos about Budapest!
[...] capital last November where the bittersweet days of autumn still lingered. After a misty and foggy walk along the Chain Bridge the night before, I was excited to see the sun come out the next [...]