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7 Beautiful Bridges to See Around the World

Trip_blog
Trip_blog
May 22, 2023

Catalogue

  • 1. Beautiful Bridges: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, USA
  • 2. Beautiful Bridges: Tower Bridge, London, UK
  • 3. Beautiful Bridges: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia
  • 4. Beautiful Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA
  • 5. Beautiful Bridges: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
  • 6. Beautiful Bridges: De Magere Brug, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 7. Beautiful Bridges: Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
  • Show More


The Tower Bridge in London with clouds in a blue sky

The Tower Bridge in London with clouds in a blue sky (source)


You know, we take bridges for granted. Enormously complex structures that make it effortless for us to cross large bodies of water, we simply walk, drive or cycle over them without a second thought.


But, of course, many are architectural wonders - and beautiful! So we thought, why not give you a list of some of our favourite bridges to see while you're gallivanting around the world.


Which are the most beautiful bridges to see around the world? Read out to find out.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a sunny day

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a sunny day (source)


We start with one of the most famous structures in the world. This bridge goes over the Golden Gate Strait, which connects the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Despite its name, the Golden Gate Bridge is actually orange-red in colour, and there is a reason for this: it's still visible in the heavy fog that often falls over the San Francisco Bay. You can also see it at night when its system of lights illuminates the bridge.


The Golden Gate Bridge was considered an engineering feat when completed in 1937, as the 2.7-kilometre (1.6 miles) suspension bridge needed huge concrete towers constructed in the water to support the cables properly. It's still an incredible site to this day, and you can perch upon the neighbouring banks to get some great social media-worthy pics.


You can walk, bike, or drive over this popular tourist attraction. To get an early start and beat the crowd, stay at Cavallo Point, which is less than a 10-minute drive north of the bridge.



The Tower Bridge in London during sunset

The Tower Bridge in London during sunset (source)


When you look at postcards or Insta posts of London, chances are you'll see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Both are located next to the River Thames, which is strewn with famous bridges - and the most famous of all is Tower Bridge. Despite being only 244m long, it is still famed for its iconic location and history.


Arguably the world's most famous drawbridge, it was actually completed in 1894 after a public competition. Its distinctive features consist of twin towers and Neo-Gothic architecture, and it's located next to the Tower of London, built to complement the famous White Tower.


In 1977 it was painted red, white, and blue for the late queen's Silver Jubilee. However, the Tower Bridge used to be a bright chocolate brown before it was painted a battleship grey for camouflage.


To get a breathtaking view of this beautiful bridge, check in to The Tower Hotel. It's a central location as well, so you can explore the rest of London easily. Otherwise, get yourself down to the Tower Bridge to walk or drive over it, but you can also cycle on the newly implemented bike lanes.



The Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Sydney Opera House in front

The Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Sydney Opera House in front (source)


The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the largest steel arch bridge on the planet - so it's certainly something worth marvelling over! As the name implies, it spans the Sydney Harbour, and its distinct grey colour is known as "Harbour Bridge Grey".


This is one of the world's most famous tourist spots, as not only can you see the gorgeous harbour, but it sits behind an even more famous landmark - the renowned Sydney Opera House.


Sydney Harbour Bridge was constructed in 1932 and has a total length of 1,149m. Its distinctive steel arch and granite pylons at each end give it a distinctly grand, stately look.


You can, of course, do the typical thing of walking, cycling, or driving across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but what makes this bridge special is the BridgeClimb. You can climb onto the arch and get a stunning panoramic view of all of Sydney!


Treat yourself and stay at Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection. This hotel places you in the heart of Sydney, and more importantly, puts you just 310m away from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.



People walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City

People walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City (source)


The world-famous Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US (it was built in 1883), so you'll see a piece of history here. In fact, it's a National Historic Landmark!


You'll find the best pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, where people bike for their commute too. Alternatively, you can go below and try to drive across (but end up stuck in traffic instead).


The Brooklyn Bridge is painted a reddish-brown colour, also known as "Brooklyn Bridge Tan". It has Gothic-style towers and steel cables along the roadway. If it looks familiar, it almost certainly is - the bridge has been featured in many TV shows, movies, and even works of literature.


To treat yourself, book a room at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. It's located on the riverwalk and puts you 420m away from the landmark.



A side shot of Ponte Vecchio in Florence

A side shot of Ponte Vecchio in Florence (source)


For a real slice of history, you must visit this gorgeous old bridge that lies in the equally stunning city of Florence. The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) was first built in 1345, and it's one of the oldest and most famous bridges in Italy.


While the bridge has been rebuilt several times throughout the years, it has still retained its medieval magic. Not only does it have distinctive arches, but it's also lined with quaint old shops to pick up some souvenirs.


Ponte Vecchio is small - only 30m (100 ft) long - and it connects Port Santa Maria via de 'Guicciardini. What's more, it's completely closed to vehicular traffic, meaning you can take a leisurely meander across it. You'll have plenty of time to visit the shops and gaze at the Arno River below.


A room at B&B Hotel Firenze Pitti Palace Al Ponte Vecchio will put the bridge right at your doorstep - just 70m away! You'll also be in the heart of Florence, making it easy to get to other points of interest in the Tuscan gem.



Woman biking across De Magere Brug in Amsterdam

Woman biking across De Magere Brug in Amsterdam (source)


De Magere Brug - in English, the excellently named Skinny Bridge - overlooks the Amstel River in beautiful Amsterdam. The current bridge was built in 1934, although an older, wooden bridge from 1691 previously stood there.


This is a traditional Dutch bridge in that it's double-leaf and has its wood painted white with elegant wrought-iron railings. It's a short bridge and used to be so narrow that people could barely pass one another while crossing - hence its name - and connects Kerkstraat and the Nieuwe Kerkstraat in the middle of the city.


Both pedestrians and cyclists use De Magere Brug, but boats pass underneath it as well - we highly recommend seeing the bridge from the water. Fun fact: it features prominently in the James Bond classic 'Diamonds are Forever'.


If you stay at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, you won't have to walk far to get to this bridge. Plus, you'll be a short tram ride away from some of the city's best museums!



The Charles Bridge in Prague on a bright yet cloudy day

The Charles Bridge in Prague on a bright yet cloudy day (source)


Another recommendation for fans of truly historic destinations - go see the Charles Bridge in Prague. This stone bridge was built in the 14th century and has exquisite Gothic architecture strewn along it.


During your walk of just over 500m on the bridge's cobblestone walkway, you'll observe 30 Baroque statues and sculptures. Make sure to touch the famous statue of St. John of Nepomuk for good luck!


The Charles Bridge is another pedestrian-only bridge, so feel free to take your time. If you're there during sunset or sunrise, the views of the Vltava River and the city skyline will be unforgettable.


If you want to be next to the action, then stay at Archibald at The Charles Bridge. The hotel's central location means it'll only take 4 minutes to get to the famous landmark.






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