Why do people visit Europe? Well, they come for all sorts of reasons, but many come to view the epic feats of architecture that make the continent so unique. Cathedrals and period homes aside, Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful bridges. We’re going to reveal a bunch of our favourites in this article, and you can easily visit many of these locations on a fantastic hop-on, hop-off coach tour of Europe with our friends over at Busabout.

1) Charles Bridge, Czech Republic

Charles Bridge is undoubtedly the most impressive structure of its kind in the Czech capital, Prague. It was originally constructed in the 14^th century, commissioned by the then Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The bridge has since collapsed and been rebuilt several times, but it still looks like the original. About 30 statues are positioned on either side of the bridge. You can also climb one of the two towers located at each end of the bridge to capture some of the best views of the city.

2) Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

We’re Scottish adventurists, so we may be a wee bit biased with our first choice. Nevertheless, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful bridges, and it’s Scotland’s most iconic. Construction of this viaduct, which has 21 tunnel spans, started in 1897 and took nearly 15 years to complete. The bridge itself deserves a place in your Instagram account. If the view of the bridge isn’t enough for you, you’ll love the surrounding countryside vistas, waters of Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument.

3) Tower Bridge, London

Before we leave the UK, let’s give a shout out to Tower Bridge, the most recognisable and photographed bridge in the British capital. The bridge spans a distance of 61 metres between the two iconic towers. And if you want to relish panoramic views of the city from above, you can trek across the high-level walkway as part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

4) Millau Viaduct, France

We’ve already discussed a British viaduct, so now let’s cross the channel to explore Europe’s largest. The Millau Viaduct in France is a cable-stayed bridge that stretches across the valley of the River Tarn. It’s just 38 metres shorter than the Empire State Building, making it the world’s tallest vehicular bridge. Unimpressed by that record? The Millau Viaduct also holds the world records for highest pylons, highest mast and highest road bridge deck.

6) Chain Bridge, Hungary

You might know that the capital of Hungary is Budapest. But did you know that it was once two cities: Buda and Pest, each located on either side of the Danube River. One structure that helped lay the foundations for the two settlements to become one was the Chain Bridge, which was constructed in 1849 and spans a distance of 375 metres. In 1989, the locals protested on the bridge for freedom and independence. It’s remained a symbol of liberty ever since.