Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd)

Budapest's Chain Bridge is lovely in any weather - shrouded in fog, glistening in early-morning rain, sleeping under a blanket of snow - and any time of day, but it really pops soon after sunset, when the western sky still holds that deep blue evening light, the bridge is illuminated, and traffic flares by in a blur of color. It has the added bonus of lining up nicely with Buda Castle, making for interesting compositions. Walk across the bridge after the sun has dropped behind the castle ramparts, when the nocturnal creatures of the city are just stirring to life, and you’re guaranteed a memorable experience.

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Budapest is a moody place under the best of circumstances. But throw in a full moon and a dark night, and the romantic walk across the historic Chain Bridge (known to the locals as the Széchenyi lánchíd) takes on a Gothic aura. One of several modern bridges that link the young, gritty Pest side of the city to the older, historic Buda Hills, the Chain Bridge gets the most foot traffic because of its wide pedestrian sidewalks and the perfect views of the Danube in all directions. Facing up the wide, murky river to the north, the panoramic Parliament building glows like something out of a fairy tale—its spikes threatening to impale the moon. To your left, the old castle climbs up the Buda Hills and oversees the urban landscape from the vantage point of thousands of years of wisdom. To your right, the modern hotels of Pest jockey for space with the spires and bells and towers of St. Stephen's Basilica and the imposingly creepy Soviet-era ministries. Choose the direction for your Hungarian adventure tonight, but first, take a moment to contemplate the moon in the cold, aloof northern sky.

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