28 Of The Most Famous Bridges In The World
Check out this list of 28 of the most breathtaking bridges across the world. Some of them are the pinnacle of modern engineering, while others date back hundreds of years. We’ve compiled a list of the most famous bridges in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Autralia.
We’ve divided this post into different continents. You can quickly jump to each section by clicking one of the links below.
- Must-see Bridges In The Americas
- Beautiful Bridges in Europe
- Most Famous Bridges in Asia
- Most Spectacular Bridge in Africa
- Famous Bridges in Australia
Must-See Bridges In The Americas
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge
- Golden Gate
- Bixby Creek Bridge
- Seven Mile Bridge
- Confederation Bridge
- Royal Gorge Bridge
- Hartland Covered Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
Location: New York City, USA
Brooklyn Bridge needs no introduction. Not only is it a major landmark in the Big Apple, but it also doubles as one of the most Instagrammable places in town.
This bridge has been a vital connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn ever since the completion of its construction back in 1883. Crossing the bridge, either on foot or on a bicycle, is an absolute must-do on any trip to NYC.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
What makes Tampa’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge stand out from the crowd is its impressive size. In fact, this is the longest cable-stayed concrete bridge on the planet! Construction was completed in the late 1980s, and the bridge has been a local landmark ever since.
Its gigantic size makes the Sunshine Skyway Bridge hard to miss when in Tampa. It’s just one of many great spots to see in town, click here for more attractions in this Florida city.
Golden Gate
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Like the previously mentioned Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate needs no introduction. This spectacular structure has been a distinctive landmark of San Francisco ever since its completion in 1937. The entire bridge was painted red to improve its visibility in bad weather conditions, which are common in that part of California.
Bixby Creek Bridge
Location: Pacific Coast Highway, California, USA
The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best driving roads on the planet. Hence, it makes perfect sense for one of the most famous bridges to be a part of it! The entire PCH stretches for over 1000 kilometers/600 miles, making it the longest state route in California.
Even if you have never been to the sunny state of California, this bridge may seem familiar. It’s a popular shooting location for various blockbusters and TV shows.
Seven Mile Bridge
Location: The Keys, Florida, USA
The Seven Mile Bridge is yet another famous bridge that’s located in the Sunshine State. As the name suggests, this spectacular structure stretches for 7 miles atop the turquoise waters.
Moreover, this bridge is a part of the scenic Overseas Highway that connects the Florida Keys to the mainland. A drive here makes for an ideal day trip from Miami, too.
Confederation Bridge
Location: Borden-Carleton, PE, Canada
This is yet another bridge that became famous due to its sheer scale. That’s because the Confederation Bridge is the world’s longest bridge built atop ice-covered water. While not as long as some of the other bridges on our list, it still is worth mentioning.
Oh, and it’s a part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Driving across this enormous road that spans nearly 5000 miles, or 7000 kilometers, is the perfect itinerary for a road trip across Canada.
Royal Gorge Bridge
Location: Royal Gorge, Colorado, USA
Walking across this spectacular suspension bridge is not for the faint-hearted. It was completed back in 1929 and broke the world record as the highest bridge on the planet, 955 feet (291 meters) above the Arkansas River.
It wasn’t until 2001 when the Royal Gorge Bridge was stripped of its title by an even higher bridge in China. Despite not being the world’s highest bridge anymore, it’s still worth a visit during a Colorado road trip.
Hartland Covered Bridge
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
At first sight, you may not believe that this Canadian bridge would hold any world record. Afterall, it doesn’t exactly look as glamorous as the Golden Gate, and it’s definitely not as high as the Royal Gorge Bridge. However, it is certainly unique.
The Hartland Covered Bridge is the world’s longest covered bridge at 1282 feet (391 meters).
Most Beautiful Bridges in Europe
- Rialto Bridge
- Stari Most
- Ponte Vecchio
- Great Belt Bridge
- Tower Bridge
- Magdeburg Water Bridge
- Charles Bridge
- Viaduc de Millau
- Chapel Bridge
Rialto Bridge
Location: Grand Canal, Venice, Italy
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge built over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It also doubles as one of the most popular attractions in town.
This stone arch bridge dates all the way back to the late 16th century, it’s been a crucial structure ever since. Be sure to continue reading, as the famous Rialto Bridge isn’t the only Italian bridge that’s made it on our list.
Stari Most
Location: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The original Stari Most was a bridge built by the Ottomans back in the 16th century. It became a landmark, as well as a showcase of classic Ottoman architecture.
Sadly, Stari Most was destroyed during the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. It was then rebuilt at the beginning of the 21st century. It’s been a major tourist attraction since 2004.
Ponte Vecchio
Location: Florence, Italy
The famous Ponte Vecchio is the second Italian bridge that has made it on our list. Its history dates back to the mid-1300s, and the structure can still be admired in modern-day Florence.
Ponte Vecchio was the first segmental arch bridge built in the West. What’s more, it’s also the oldest of all bridges in the city of Florence.
Great Belt Bridge
Location: Tårup, Denmark
This spectacular bridge is a vital connection between the eastern and western parts of Denmark. Contrary to popular belief, this engineering marvel is more than just one bridge! Nonetheless, it’s commonly known as one of the most famous bridges of all time.
The structure stretches for 18 kilometers, or 11 miles, in total. It’s made up of the East Bridge (6.9km long), the East Tunnel (8km), and the West Bridge (6.6km). You can learn more about the history of the famous Great Belt Bridge on its official website.
Tower Bridge
Location: London, United Kingdom
The monumental Tower Bridge is a London landmark that’s famous all over the world. It should also be one of the places you visit on your London itinerary.
The Neo-Gothic architecture makes this the most distinctive bridge in the city, and perhaps even all of the United Kingdom. The busy Thames River is full of large ships and boats. You may just see the bridge’s middle section lift up if you’re lucky.
Don’t confuse this with London Bridge! Tower Bridge is a lot more sophisticated and famous, whereas London Bridge is pretty regular.
Magdeburg Water Bridge
Location: Magdeburg, Germany
The bridge in Magdeburg is a real engineering marvel, and we can guarantee you’ve never seen anything else like it. The Magdeburg Water Bridge opened back in 2003 and has instantly become a point of interest in this part of Germany.
This impressive construction spans nearly a kilometer, making it the world’s longest navigable aqueduct. Tourists can walk along the wide pathways, located at each end of the bridge.
Charles Bridge
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
The historic Charles Bridge is perhaps the most famous landmark in all of Prague. This beautiful bridge has been around since the early 1400s. It was the only bridge connecting the city’s Old Town to the castle up until the 1840s.
Don’t forget that this bridge doubles as one of the biggest attractions in town. Hence, it’s recommended to visit it early in the morning if you wish to avoid crowds.
Viaduc de Millau
Location: Millau, France
The Viaduc de Millau is yet another piece of state-of-the-art modern engineering. It’s located in the South of France near the small town of Millau. This enormous bridge is a part of the A75 highway. It’s also one of the most famous bridges in Europe.
This award-winning structure first opened to the public back in 2004. It remains the tallest bridge (not to be confused with the highest bridge) on the planet. The distance between the top of the mast and the bottom of the structure measures a whopping 270 meters (890ft)!
Chapel Bridge
Location: Lucerne, Switzerland
The Chapel Bridge, or the Kapellbrücke in German, may not be the biggest structure in the world. It is, however, one of the prettiest by far. It’s located in the heart of Lucerne, a beautiful Swiss town around 40 minutes south of Zurich.
The Chapel Bridge is the world’s oldest covered wooden bridge. The bridge was originally built in 1360, though it had nearly burned down in the 90s. Currently, visitors can walk across a reconstructed version of the historic structure.
Most Famous Bridges in Asia
- 15 July Martyrs Bridge
- Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
- Hangzhou Bay Bridge
- Si-O-Se Pol
- Seri Wawasan Bridge
- Helix Bridge
- Tsing Ma Bridge
15th July Martyrs Bridge
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
The 15th July Martyrs Bridge, often simply referred to as the Bosphorus bridge, is unlike any other in the world. It’s located in the heart of Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.
This bridge was constructed above the Bosphorus Strait in 1973. It connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul. That’s right, you’ll be on a different continent as soon as you cross this bridge!
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
Location: Kobe, Japan
The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan is yet another masterpiece of modern engineering. It broke world records virtually as soon as it first opened in the late 1990s. Today, commuters use it to get between the cities of Kobe and Iwaya.
This monumental structure still holds the world record for the longest central span of any suspension bridge on the planet. The highway is suspended around 70 meters, or 230 feet, above the Seto Inland Sea.
Hangzhou Bay Bridge
Location: Jiaxing, China
When it comes to the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, the sheer scale of this structure is its main highlight. It currently sits as the world’s fourth longest transoceanic bridge on the planet.
The Hangzhou Bay Bridge measures an impressive 35 kilometers, or 22 miles, in length.
Si-O-Se Pol
Location: Isfahan, Iran
The eccentric Si-O-Se Pol Bridge is the most famous symbol of Isfahan, a city in central Iran. This monumental structure is the longest of the 11 bridges in Isfahan. It was constructed back in the early 17th century.
The bridge spans nearly 300 meters, or 980 feet, in length. Back when it was built, the Si-O-Se Pol was used both as a bridge and a dam.
Seri Wawasan Bridge
Location: Putrajaya, Malaysia
The Seri Wawasan Bridge is easily one of the most famous bridges in the world. This futuristic structure is one of the main connections in Putrajaya, a planned Malaysian city that was built in 2001. It quickly became famous due to its spectacular design that resembles a sailing ship.
If you’re planning a road trip to Malaysia, consider stopping over in Putrajaya to see this incredible bridge. The best time to visit has got to be after dusk falls.
Helix Bridge
Location: Singapore
This marvelous bridge fits right in with the rest of Marina Bay, a beautiful part of Singapore. It may not be the biggest bridge in the world, though it’s one of the most impressive ones for sure.
What makes this bridge unique is its design. The shape of the bridge resembles DNA! You simply have to stroll across this marvelous structure during your stay in town.
Tsing Ma Bridge
Location: Hong Kong SAR
It may have been beaten in terms of world records by now, though Hong Kong’s Tsing Ma Bridge remains one of the most impressive structures of its kind. At the time of its completion in 1997, it was the world’s second-longest suspension bridge at a1377m or 4518ft.
Today, the Tsing Ma Bridge still holds the record for the world’s longest bridge that carries both a motorway and a railway.
Most Spectacular Bridge in Africa
6th October Bridge
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Africa may not have seemingly endless transatlantic bridges that you would see in other parts of the world. However, the 6th of October Bridge in downtown Cairo is arguably the most significant structure of this kind in all of Africa.
This busy bridge connects two districts of Cairo, that would otherwise be separated by the Nile River.
Famous Bridges in Australia
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Location: Sydney, NSW
The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge is arguably just as much of a landmark as the Opera House. Both of the landmarks are just a short walk away from each other, sightseeing them is the ideal way to spend the day in Sydney.
Adventure seekers can go on a guided tour and climb to the top of the bridge! How cool is that?
Sea Cliff Bridge
Location: Stanwell Park, NSW
The Sea Cliff Bridge is a major highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive, which is one of the most scenic drives on the planet. Though far from the biggest in the world, the dramatic scenery makes Sea Cliff Bridge one of the best in the world.
Story Bridge
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
The Story Bridge is a landmark of Brisbane, aside from being one of the most famous bridges in the world. Its construction began all the way back in the mid-1930s. Today, it proudly represents the city of Queensland.
Just like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is possible to climb this enormous bridge. Pricing starts at around $120 per person for the express climb. Click here for more details on climbing Story Bridge.
