From bridges suspended at dizzying heights to historic bridges with houses built into them, from perches offering incredible views to bridges that are breathtaking views in themselves – Germany has an astounding diversity of bridges. We have scoured for you the highest, the longest, and the most unique bridges from all corners of the country.
Half-hidden in the lush foliage of Kromlau’s Azalea and Rhododendron Park is the delicate arch of Devil’s Bridge, or Rakotzbrücke. It is designed so that when the water is still, the bridge forms a perfect circle with its reflection. Stepping onto the bridge is prohibited in order to protect this precious monument, but the magical setting is the stuff of which any dedicated Instagrammer’s dreams are made.
Bastei Bridge is the most famous landmark of the German Saxon Switzerland National Park. This surreal bridge seems to have naturally merged into the craggy sandstone Elbe Mountain range. From the bridge, you can feast your eyes on the River Elbe, Lilienstein Mountain, the Koenigstein Fortress, and much of the untamed wilderness of Saxon Switzerland National Park.
Teufelsbrücke is an unmissable beauty spot in the UNESCO-listed Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel, Germany. This pedestrian bridge is steeped in legends, and looks down at a gushing waterfall below. The water eventually cascades into the castle pond, and feeds the 52-meter-high Great Fountain.
Marienbrücke is a pedestrian bridge built between imposing cliffs over the gushing Pollät Gorge in Schwangau. If you are up for a 20-minute uphill hike, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding verdant forests from this bridge. The bridge remains inaccessible during extreme weather conditions, so it is advisable to check with the ticket office of Neuschwanstein Castle before planning your trip.
Oberbaum Bridge is a pride and one of the most famous landmarks of Berlin. This double-decker bridge runs over the River Spree, connecting the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. The upper level is for trains, while the lower level is for road traffic. This beautiful architecture also has historical significance, as it served as a checkpoint for traffic moving from West Germany to East Germany during the Cold War.
The Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay is not for the faint-hearted, but those who dare to cross it are rewarded with thrills and jaw-dropping views. This pedestrian-only suspension bridge is 360 meters (1,180 ft) in length and suspended at an altitude of up to 100 meters (330 ft), connecting the villages of Mörsdorf and Sosberg. If you have the nerves to look down from the bridge, you will see dazzling green valleys with the Mörsdorfer Bach stream bubbling through it. It is open at all hours, and access to the bridge is free.
The Merchants’ Bridge (Krämerbrücke) in Erfurt dates back to the year 1325. Its sheer uniqueness lies in the fact that it is one of the rare inhabited bridges in the world. Though originally built as a trading route, today it is completely built over by apartments, shops, and restaurants. The soaring tower of the church Ägidienkirche marks the east end of the bridge.
The Hohenzollern Bridge over the River Rhine in Cologne is a magnet for tourists for two reasons. Firstly, it offers a picture-postcard view of the Cologne Cathedral in all its glory. Secondly, the fences of this rail-and-pedestrian bridge are covered with love locks that couples fix there and throw the keys into the Rhine in the hope of everlasting love. Both locals and tourists take part in this romantic tradition.