The Most Beautiful Bridges in the World

Whether it’s connecting two sides of a city or offering safe passage across an epic gorge, bridges tend to throw up some of the most fascinating works of human construction. Expect a heady cocktail of precision engineering and striking architectural vision when you visit some of the best bridges in the world with Culture Trip.

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Charles Bridge, Prague

Perhaps the most iconic sight in Europe’s most picturesque city, Charles Bridge has connected Prague’s beautiful Old Town and Malá Strana districts for over 600 years. It took 45 years to build, with the first brick supposedly laid by, you guessed it, King Charles IV. For well over 400 hundred years it was the only way you could cross the Vltava river within city limits and, to this day, thousands of people cross the bridge every day. The charm of its medieval stone arches hasn’t wained one bit, while a walk across has plenty to keep the eyes occupied, from local street artists to around 30 (mostly baroque) statues. The bridge is at its most beautiful at night, when traditional gas street lamps light up the bridge’s gothic intricacies in an atmospheric glow. You’ll have plenty of time to explore Charles Bridge, as well as both sides of the river, on our Berlin to Budapest Rail Trip, the first stop of which rolls into the Czech capital.

From US$2473

Next available from 13th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Berlin, Germany

ENDS AT

Budapest, Hungary

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Scenic View in Taroko gorge, Taroko national park, Hualien, Taiwan

Taroko National Park Suspension Bridge, Taiwan

Taroko National Park, near the east coast of Taiwan, is one of the most strikingly beautiful places on the entire island. While this suspension bridge isn’t the most uniquely constructed or aesthetically pleasing river-crossing you’re likely to see, it is one the best viewing points in the whole park. The gorge is characterised by its steep marble canyons, unique rock formations and cascading streams that lead into the turquoise waters of Liwu River. All of that is framed by breathtaking cliffside greenery, and is enjoyed best from somewhere in the middle of this suspension bridge, with the river rushing downstream below you. Other highlights in the park include the Tunnel of Nine Turns and Swallow Grotto, and you’ll get a thorough tour of Taroko on day six of our comprehensive nine-day tour of Taiwan.

From US$1522

Next available from 30th Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

ENDS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Ponte Vecchio in Florence, at noon in November

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

This iconic Florentine construction, originally standing as far back as 966 but rebuilt sometime after the floods of 1345, is literally called Old Bridge, but to this day is one of the most unique on the planet. Its segmented arch style has retained its medieval charm, but its the buildings built atop Ponte Vecchio that make it so unmistakable. Merchants have been selling their wares here for centuries, with jewellery the most common item on sale today. It’s certainly a romantic spot to buy your loved one a shiny gift, but we won’t judge if you just opt for a gentle stroll across the bridge, gelato in hand. Florence is the first stop on our Classic Northern Italy by train trip, which goes from Rome to Milan, so you’ll have a locally guided tour of the city, including a crossing of the Arno and some fascinating insights into this famous old bridge.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Rome, Lazio

ENDS AT

Milan, Lombardia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Garden Route - Famous Bloukrans Bridge with ocean in background and bungee jumpers, South Africa

Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa

It’s a tale of two bridges at this luscious national park along South Africa’s Garden Route. The first is a spectacular suspension footbridge that hangs pretty low over the mouth of Storms River. Crossing it is an amazing experience, while the views of crashing waves, rugged cliff-faces and luscious greenery are a perfect distillation of Tsitsikamma’s beauty. The second, Bloukrans Bridge, is all about scale. This giant arch bridge stands around 216m (709 ft) above its namesake river, and is the tallest bungee-jump bridge on the planet. Day seven of our Splendid South Africa trip features a tour of the park, where you’ll get the chance to cross Storms River on the suspension bridge and, if your stomach can take it, try the world’s tallest bridge bungee jump for yourself. Not your style? The Bloukrans Bridge skywalk is just as unique an experience without taking the heart rate quite so high.

From US$2129

Next available from 6th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

ENDS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Auburn autumn colours surround Glenfinnan Viaduct, near Fort William in Scotland

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

Is a viaduct technically a bridge? It certainly looks like one in the case of Glenfinnan Viaduct, found in the rugged heartlands of the Scottish Highlands. It’s a striking concrete remnant of the industrial-era and a symbol of Scotland’s railway prowess throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It curves beautifully around the valley for 380m (1,247ft), with 21 aesthetically pleasing semicircular spans helping it cross the River Finnan. The legacy of Glenfinnan Viaduct was cemented in the Harry Potter films, most notably the flying car sequence in Chamber of Secrets (2002), in which the railway bridge is used as part of the Hogwarts Express route. You can cross the viaduct yourself on our week-long Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands trip, which includes a ride on the Jacobite steam train – AKA the real-life Hogwarts Express – across the viaduct en route to Mallaig from Fort William.

From US$1687

Next available from 29th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

15

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.