The world's ten best bridges you MUST cross in your lifetime: The views are amazing and they'll set your pulse racing. This is the travel experts' definitive list
By KATE LEAHY
Published: | Updated:
Three hundred years ago, Sir Isaac Newton presciently wrote: ‘We build too many walls and not enough bridges.’ Words that seem to ring true today, one way or another.
But what are the world’s best bridges? Those that capture the imagination, highlight breathtaking engineering feats or simply make you stop in your tracks and wonder: how did human beings ever manage that?
I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world – and none of these is a bridge too far...
Charles Bridge in Prague, which links the Old Town to the battlements and beauty of Prague Castle
The 14th century stone-arched Charles Bridge, which links the Old Town to the battlements and beauty of Prague Castle, is the oldest bridge across the River Vltava. Take in the beauty of the medieval spires from the cobbled crossing, replete with Baroque sculptures and Gothic gateways.
Don’t miss: Climbing the 138 steps of the Old Town Bridge Tower for fantastic views.
Stay: The BoHo Prague Hotel in the Old Town has doubles from £114 B&B (hotelbohoprague.com).
Brooklyn Bridge, with its granite towers and steel cables, was designed by John A. Roebling and opened in 1883
It’s not unusual to see a proposal along the creaky boardwalk of Brooklyn Bridge, with the Manhattan high rises and the Statue of Liberty dazzling on the horizon. This iconic bridge, with its granite towers and steel cables, was designed by John A. Roebling and opened in 1883.
Don’t miss: Brooklyn Bridge Park to watch the sunset from the Empire Fulton Ferry lawn.
Stay: Hotel Indigo Lower East Side, doubles from £173 (ihg.com/hotelindigo).
Szechenyi Chain Bridge spans the River Danube in Budapest
Replacing a pontoon crossing, the 19th century Szechenyi Chain Bridge – the work of our very own William Tierney Clark (born in Bristol) – spans the River Danube at its most dramatic point, linking hilly Buda with vibrant Pest.
A pair of giant stone lions guard each end. The bridge features on Hungary’s 200 forint coin.
Don’t miss: The funicular up to the castle at Buda.
Stay: Aria Hotel Budapest, doubles from £264 B&B (ariahotelbudapest.com).
Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge is the oldest covered truss bridge in Europe
The oldest covered truss bridge in Europe, Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke) is a dreamy 14th-century wooden gangway that zigzags across the Reuss river. Inside, the triangular roof arches are adorned with biblical paintings from the 1600s, while on the outside, colourful flowers hang from the balustrades.
Don’t miss: Taking in the octagonal water tower, built around 1300, on the left bank.
Stay: Hotel Anker doubles from £156 (hotel-restaurant-anker.ch).
The two-tier Oberbaum Bridge, over the River Spree, was once a border between East and West Berlin
Linking the Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg districts across the River Spree, the two-tier Oberbaum Bridge, replete with towers, arches and a coat of arms, was once a border between East and West Berlin. Now a symbol of unity, trains cross the upper deck while pedestrians stroll below.
Don’t miss: The East Side Gallery to see powerful murals on remnants of the Berlin Wall.
Stay: Hotel Indigo Berlin, doubles from £119 (ihg.com/hotelindigo).
Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the city's famous opera house in the foreground
The glorious steel arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen up-close-and-personal via the 1,332 steps to the top. Group climbs enter at the South-East Pylon where you’ll be latched on. There’s no fear of falling but you will need a head for heights.
Don’t miss: A twilight ascent to see an enchanting sunset over Sydney Opera House.
Stay: Hotel Palisade, doubles from £116 B&B (hotelpalisade.com.au).
The 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul, which sits alongside the Ortakoy Mosque
You’ll need a car to cross the 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul but it’s worth it – traversing the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia, you traverse effortlessly between the two continents. Or enjoy the view from beneath the suspension bridge on a cruise.
Don’t miss: The markets, hammans, mosques and palace by the shoreline.
Stay: Radisson Blu Bosphorus has doubles from £115 (radissonhotels.com).
The 1.7-mile Golden Gate bridge links San Francisco with Marin County
Named after the strait below, the Art Deco Golden Gate suspension bridge links San Francisco with Marin County. There’s nothing quite like crossing the 1.7-mile stretch on foot, with views back to the bay and Alcatraz Island. For knockout views of the bridge, head to one of the lookout points on the north shore.
Don’t miss: Cycling to the fishing town of Sausalito.
Stay: The Argonaut has doubles from £237 (argonauthotel.com).
The Oresund Bridge in Malmo links the Swedish city with Copenhagen in Denmark across the Oresund strait
The breathtaking Oresund Bridge in Malmo is an epic feat of cabled engineering that dips under the water at the centre, turning into a tunnel. It links Malmo in Sweden with Copenhagen in Denmark across the Oresund strait, covering ten miles via railway and road.
Don’t miss: Going across by train.
Stay: Scandic Triangeln in Malmo has doubles from £72 B&B (scandichotels.com).
The Golden Bridge sits high up in Vietnam’s Ba Na Hills
This one – like Oresund Bridge – does not cross a river, but it is extraordinary. Two giant stone hands lovingly cradle the pedestrian-only Golden Bridge high up in the green-covered peaks of Vietnam’s Ba Na Hills.
Don’t miss: The 17-minute cable-car line back down, passing over the dreamy Toc Tien waterfall.
Stay: Zen Boutique Villa, doubles from £71 (zenboutiquevillahoian.com).
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