At their core, bridges are designed to connect. Whether that be connecting two parts of cities, people, or trade routes, bridges are a way to bring together places and people.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that bridges have to be boring and not every bridge fits every city. Bridges all across the world are a way to learn about a city’s history, recent engineering innovations, and an opportunity to showcase art.
Jump to: What Makes an "Amazing Bridge" | Man Made Bridges | Natural Bridges | Bonus!
With the growing number of social media influencers and Instagram-worthy shots, bridges have become a focal point for travelers. Bridges are an alternative to visiting museums and allows visitors to get outside and explore and a destination further.
This is why we’ve created a post dedicated to these towering and amazing giants that make up some of the most iconic skylines.
What Makes an “Amazing Bridge?”
Everyone has their own definition of what makes an amazing bridge. It could be that it must be an architecture masterpiece or be a historical landmark. Our definition is a combination of sorts.
Our criteria for what makes an amazing bridge is that it:
- Architecturally impressive
- Is photo-worthy
- Has an interesting story, and is unique.
They can be modern or ancient, large or small.
Or in other words, if you take a picture in front of or on top of the bridge and your friends and family are jealous of you, then it qualifies.
We’ve compiled our top list of these masterfully crafted overpasses: The Most Amazing Bridges in the World You Can’t Miss
Man Made Bridges
1. Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the world. It is a symbol of California and American ingenuity. It was built at the height of the Great Depression and has become a major gateway for travelers.
While you can walk the 1.7-mile bridge, another option is to bike the bridge before continuing to cycle through the nearby Crissy Field.
2. Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge in London is probably one of the world’s most historic bridges. The bridge was built in the late-1800s and is the largest bascule bridge (“see-saw”) in the world. Straddling the Thames River, it is a major tourist destination in London because of its photo-worthy towers and its short distance from the Tower of London.
3. Sydney Harbour Bridge
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, try visiting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s not only the world’s largest steel bridge but also provides some of the best views of the city.
Visitors can attempt the BridgeClimb, a 1.5-3.5 hour climb that allows you to walk on top of the bridge’s steel expanses all the way to the summit of the bridge.
4. Ponte Vecchio
From a steel masterpiece to a stone-bridge that has stood the test of time, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the top landmarks of Florence, Italy.
The oldest bridge in the city, it dates back to the 900s and became a major crosswalk in the Medici reign during the Renaissance. The bridge is particularly famous because it has been the home to dozens of shops since the 13th century.
5. Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Bridges aren’t only beautiful but can be functional as well. For example, the Szechenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest was originally built to connect the two sides of the city, Buda and Pest.
It was almost completely destroyed during World War II when the Germans were retreating from the city but was rebuilt shortly after the end of the war. The bridge is famous for its giant lion sculptures and nighttime atmosphere.
6. Pont du Gard Aqueduct
As we said earlier, an amazing bridge doesn’t have to be modern. The Pont du Gard Aqueduct in France was built 2,000 years ago by the Romans.
Known for being an “ancient work of engineering,” the bridge is composed of three levels and was built as an aqueduct to supply water to the nearby city of Nimes. Scientists have proven that the bridge is made up of 21,000 cubic meters of stone weighing 50,400 tons.
7. Seri Wawasan Bridge
One of the most beautiful bridges in the world, the Seri Wawasan Bridge is a more modern take on the original designs of the Ancient Romans.
Built in 2003, this Malaysian masterpiece is a cable-stayed bridge in the city of Putrajaya. It is noted for its futuristic architecture, pylon that gives off the appearance of a ship’s sail, and nighttime light displays.
8. Khaju Bridge
A helpful criteria for making this list was that the bridge is impressive during the daytime and nighttime. The Khaju Bridge in Iran is just as stunning during the day as it is at night.
This 17th-century Persian designed bridge’s archways and beautiful tile work glow from the Iranian sun and is illuminated at night by lights highlighting the traditional architecture and design work that makes this bridge stand out.
9. Stari Most, Mostar
Bridges don’t have to be miles long to be amazing, they can be just as spectacular at 95 feet. The Stari Most (“Old Bridge”) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a testament to the region’s Ottoman past.
It was rebuilt after the conflicts in the region in the 1990s and has been returned to its former glory. If you are feeling daring, you can join the jumpers who jump daily from the bridge into the teal river below, even in the winter!
10. New Brunswick Hartland Bridge
Love has a way of inspiring all aspects of life. The New Brunswick Hartland Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the world and is also a “kissing bridge.”
The bridge was used during horse and buggy days to train horses by the owner stopping the carriage on the road long enough for a few kisses and then continuing to the other end of the bridge.
11. Queshuachaca
Bridges aren’t just made of steel and stone. Queshuachaca in Peru is the oldest Incan, handwoven rope bridge. These bridges made up the Incan roadways for 500 years and Queshuachaca is one of the last remaining bridges built in this ancient style.
The bridge is 118 feet long and stands 60 feet above the cavern below. The bridge is kept up by local communities and is an amazing day trip if you are visiting the city of Cusco.
12. Brooklyn Bridge
A mainstay in films shot in New York City and postcards, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the top sites in this landmark-rich city. The bridge was the first to use steel for cable wire and is a National Historic Landmark.
As this is one of the top sites in the city and a major bridge for commuters, try visiting right at sunrise to capture the city in its morning glory and avoid the traffic and hoards of bikers.
13. Sidi M’Cid Bridge
If you’re looking for the most amazing bridges in the world, why wouldn’t you visit the “City of Bridges.” Constantine, Algeria, is nicknamed the City of Bridges because of its high number of bridges needed to reach this ancient city.
The Sidi M’Cid Bridge is a suspension bridge orginally built in the early 1900s and is one of the many beautiful man made bridges that cross the gorges, valleys, and hills that Constantine is built upon.
14. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver, Canada, is known for its stunning landscapes and parks. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the best ways to see these natural beauties.
The bridge is a 450 foot-long bridge over the Capilano Ravine that offers amazing views of the Vancouver forest. You can visit during the daytime or go at night when the bridge is lit up. Visit during Christmas time for some spectacular Christmas lights!
15. Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge is the convergence of science and architecture. The bridge’s design was taken from the double helix construct of a DNA strand.
The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Singapore that allows pedestrians to cross the Singapore River and connects the business district and bayfront areas of the city. A neat fact about the bridge is at night, it lights up to the corresponding colors of the bases of a DNA strand.
Natural Bridges
The most beautiful bridges in the world can also be naturally made!
Below is a shortlist of some of the most stunning natural bridges in the world that have stood the test of time and weather.
16. Pont d’Arc
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc is a naturally-formed archway in Ardeche Canyon in France. The archway is considered by many to be the “gateway” to the canyon which is famous for canoers and swimmers.
The bridge is also the opening to the cave that harbors the world’s oldest cave drawings, the Chauvet Cave.
17. Pravicka Brana
Pravicka Brana is a natural arch located in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic. The arch is one of the country’s top landmarks and is near an 1880s chalet.
The archway is so spectacular it was used during the filming of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
18. Owachomo Natural Bridge
Owachomo Bridge is one of three naturally-formed bridges in Natural Bridges National Park in Utah. It is the smallest and oldest of the three bridges.
It takes its name from a Hopi word for “rock mound” and visitors can see these three bridges on guided daily hikes of the national park.
19. Fairy Bridge
The Fairy Bridge, or Xianren Bridge, is the world’s largest natural archway. It spans some 400 feet in southern China and wasn’t discovered until 2009 after an aerospace engineer saw the archway on Google Earth.
If you’re interested in visiting this fairytale bridge, be prepared for a rugged adventure. To reach the bridge you face a 3-hour long rubber raft trip over rapids or a bamboo raft ride.
20. Hazarchisma Natural Bridge
Located in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan, the Hazarchisma Natural Bridge is made out of limestone and dates back to the Jurassic and Eocene Epoch periods.
This bridge is also located near a cave where archaeologists believed was once home to cave-dwelling humans.
Bonus!
Longest Bridge in the World
What is the longest bridge in the world? With engineering and architecture advancing yearly, the longest bridge needs to be one that stands the test of time and is functional.
The longest bridge span currently in the world is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Maci Bridge just outside of Hong Kong.
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