Budapest Self-Guided Bridge Walking Tour: Erzsébet to Chain Bridge
A Self-Guided Bridge Walking Tour in Budapest
With only two days to explore Budapest, I wanted to make the most of my time. I decided to do a self-guided walking tour that would take me across two of the city’s most famous bridges: the Erzsébet Bridge and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This loop gave me a chance to experience both sides of the Danube River while enjoying some of Budapest’s iconic landmarks.
Budapest Self-Guided Bridge Walking Tour: Erzsébet to Chain Bridge - Table of Contents
- A Self-Guided Bridge Walking Tour in Budapest
- Where to Start
- Hiking to the St. Gerard Statue
- Strolling Along the Buda Side of the Danube
- Crossing the Chain Bridge
- Returning to the Pest Side
- Completing the Loop
- Tips for Your Budapest Bridge Walk
- Budapest Walking Tours
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Start Your Budapest Bridge Adventure at Erzsébet Bridge
I began my journey at the Erzsébet Bridge, located just a short walk from my hotel. Crossing this bridge is simple and safe, with pedestrian paths on both sides.
Be mindful of bicyclists and electric scooters sharing the path, and don’t hesitate to stop and take photos—the bridge offers fantastic angles for shots of the river and surrounding sights, without the crowds.
Hiking to the St. Gerard Statue
Once I crossed the Erzsébet Bridge, I took a short detour to hike up to the statue of St. Gerard (Szent Gellért). The climb was a bit of a workout, but it was well worth it. From the top, I was rewarded with amazing views of the Danube and the Erzsébet Bridge, perfect for some panoramic photos. I created a separate page with more information about visiting the St. Gerard Statue.
Strolling Along the Buda Side of the Danube
After descending from the statue, I continued my walk along the Buda side of the Danube, heading towards Buda Castle. While I didn’t go all the way up to the castle, the views from below were impressive, and I managed to get some great photos of the castle towering over the riverbank.
I then made my way towards the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This part of the walk was leisurely, allowing me to admire the peaceful riverside and take in the sights.
Crossing the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is one of Budapest’s most recognizable landmarks, and crossing it is an experience in itself. I spent about 30 minutes here, photographing the grand stone lions guarding the entrances and taking in views of the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle. The bridge offers stunning photo opportunities in every direction.
As you cross the bridge, capture stunning photos of the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle. Take your time to soak in the ambiance of this iconic landmark.
Returning to the Pest Side
Once on the Pest side of the river, I walked along the Danube again, but this time from the opposite side.
I stopped several times to capture key landmarks from new angles, especially the Parliament Building and Buda Castle, which looked majestic as the light shifted.
Completing the Loop
In less than four hours, you’ll have covered significant ground and experienced the essence of Budapest. This efficient walking tour is perfect for time-constrained travelers seeking a fulfilling adventure.
Tips for Your Budapest Bridge Walk
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring a camera to capture unforgettable moments.
- Be mindful of street cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
- Buy your water ahead of time. It is much more expensive in the tourist areas.
Budapest Walking Tours
I prefer to explore on my own and typically do not use the service of a guide. For me, discovering the highlights of Budapest on my own was part of the fun. At the same time, I understand that many people prefer to be led around by a local guide. Below, I have linked three walking tours of Budapest that caught my eye.
I am an affiliate of Viator. If yo purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
 Private 4-hour Walking Tour of Budapest with official tour guide - $114.02 Enjoy this private 4 hour walking tour of Budapest with a private official tour guide. Get to know Budapest´s most important sites and learn its amazing history with a local official and experienced guide! Private pick up and drop off from your hotel in Budapest (if centrally located). |
 Classic Budapest Private Walking Tour - $76.59 On this 4-hour, private walking tour, expect to discover Budapest’s quintessential historic sites. The Hungarian capital is famous for its old-world, historic charm, which you’ll explore when you visit landmarks ranging from the Royal Palace and Matthias Church on the Buda side of the river to St. Stephen’s Basilica and Andrássy Avenue on the Pest side of the river. Though your itinerary is customizable, count on seeing the city’s top highlights and look forward to a coffee stop at a grand café, too. |
 Budapest All-In: Full Day Walking Tour with Lunch - $219.37 This tour was made for those, who would like to get a general picture of Budapest, and to take the well-beaten path of “the tourist”. We will show you to the most well-known and must-see sights in our beautiful capital and tell you the most important part of the Hungarian history, urban stories, and what you should definitely know about us! |
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