There have always been romantic associations with bridges, dating back to ancient times. The bridge is one of our earliest technologies, and the mix of both form and function in the design is often a thing of beauty.

These functional structures which join one place to another allow us to overcome an obstacle and create a feeling of connection which could explain why they have become a familiar and popular location for romantic strolls, photo opportunities and declarations of love.

A tradition echoed across the world, which is gradually being phased out due to the damage it causes, is the idea of the love locks.

Two lovers inscribe their names on a padlock, lock it to the bridge and throw away the key (generally in the waters below) to signify their shared, unbreakable love.

Pont Neuf – Paris

There are 37 bridges in Paris that principally span the River Seine, some purely for trains and others also pedestrianized. Up until a few years ago the Pont des Arts bridge, commonly known as the “Lock of Love” bridge, was covered in thousands of padlocks, but these are now being removed in favour of padlock related graffiti in the hope of deterring tourists from further damage.

As Paris’ oldest bridge, the Pont de Neuf is a grand stone structure with vistas across to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Top three things to do in Paris on Valentine’s Day

• Dinner and a show at the infamous Moulin Rouge
• Romantic dinner cruise on the Seine River
• Visit the Musée de la Vie Romantique – Yes, there is a museum dedicated to romance!

Romanticize your trip from the start and book your Paris airport transfers.

St. Angelo Bridge – Rome

With approximately 900 bridges in the ‘Eternal City’ and almost a third being made of stone, it’s challenging to choose the most beautiful. A popular bridge with tourists is the Ponte Sisto (‘Ponte’ in Italian means bridge) while the Ponte Milvio in the north is another ‘love lock’ bridge which, again due to damage, is seeing padlocks being removed. The Ponte Sant’ Angelo, which links the city to the majestic Mausoleum, is a thing of art. The bridge features ten statues of angels each symbolizing a part of Jesus Christ’ crucifixion including ‘the angel with the cross’ and ‘the angel with the nails’. 

Top three things to do in Rome on Valentine’s Day

• Catch the sunrise and perfect photo opportunity at the Trevi Fountain – Going early means you’re more likely to miss the crowds
• Book a private tour for two to see all the famous sights – There is so much to see and learn in this great city, so a tour ensures you won’t miss a thing!
• Hire a rowing boat and float along the lake in Villa Borghese.

Remember to book your transfer to your hotel via our Rome airport transfers.

Charles Bridge – Prague

Not only is Prague named the city of spires but thanks to the meandering Vltava River, it’s home to a fair number of bridges, each with their own architectural splendour and charm. The most famous however is, without doubt, the Charles Bridge, named after King Charles IV, which was the only bridge connecting the two banks for hundreds of years. With its stone walkway and lantern lights, it’s the perfect setting for a sunset stroll as well as being a popular proposal spot with hundreds happening here each year.

Top three things to do in Prague on Valentine’s Day

• A three-course dinner cruise along the Vltava River.
• Horse-drawn carriage through the pretty old town.
• Picnic for two in the tranquil parks and gardens

Book your Prague airport transfers and enjoy on your romantic getaway.

Bernatek Footbridge – Krakow

Once a subject of controversy, largely due to its hefty development budget and questionable necessity, the leaf-shaped Bernatek footbridge, built in 2009, is now a beloved feature of the city. The bridge links Plac Wolnica and Rynek Podgórski; which has since become a newly revitalized area and great for an alternative pub crawl. Bernatek bridge, also named ‘the lovers’ bridge’, has become a recognizable location for couples as the tradition of attaching padlocks with names engraved, then throwing the keys into the Wisla River, has also been adopted here. 

Top three things to do in Krakow on Valentine’s Day 

• Private balloon ride from close to the river 
• Stroll around the beautiful botanical gardens
• A visit to the fascinating Wawel castle

Enjoy a stress-free getaway and book your Krakow airport transfer.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge – Budapest

Another capital with eight bridges in total, linking Buda and Pest and spanning the Danube River, is Budapest. The most famous is the majestic Széchenyi Chain Bridge which is guarded by four lion statues. On Valentine’s day expect to find street sellers proffering lilies, tulips and roses, while an array of restaurants and bars have unique ‘love potions’ to entice couples.

Top three things to do in Budapest on Valentine’s Day 

• A romantic ride on the Cogwheel Railway.
• Ice skating at the Városliget ice rink, on the edge of City Park.
• Enjoy a thermal bath at the luxurious Art Nouveau style Hotel Gellért.

Book your Budapest airport transfer using our holiday transfer journey planner.

The Blue Lagoon Bridge – Reykjavik

This humble bridge takes its visitors to the blue lagoon, which is easily Reykjavik’s most popular tourist attraction. A perfect paradise consisting of a silica-rich spring for bathing, and there’s even a bar for enjoying an Icelandic beer or wine (remember you must pre-book to gain access).

Top three things to do in Reykjavik on Valentine’s Day 

• A tour to see the northern lights (ideal time is between September to March)
• Cosy up and watch a show in one of the many comfortable cinemas.
• Book a relaxing spa day at Laugar Spa with sauna, steam rooms and more.

When visiting Iceland book your Reykjavik airport transfer in advance making your visit easier when you travel.

Oberbaum Bridge – Berlin

There are literally thousands of bridges in Berlin, some over water and some not, but the Oberbaum Bridge is the most photographed and one could therefore argue the most beautiful. It is a double-deck structure which crosses the River Spree and is a symbol of Berlin’s unity as it links the Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg boroughs which were formerly divided by the Berlin wall. 

Top three things to do in Berlin on Valentine’s Day

• Capture a kiss in one of Berlin’s iconic photo booths.
• Take a trip to Museum Island, where many of the worlds most frequented museums are located.
• Explore Little Venice on a bicycle.

Vising the Oberbaum Bridge has never been easier with our Berlin airport transfers.

No matter where in the world you decide to spend Valentine’s Day, make your trip extra special with a door to door transfer, from the airport to your holiday dwellings, with HolidayTaxis. We have a range of vehicles to suit all needs and budgets, including luxury cars for that extra special occasion! Happy Valentine’s day from HolidayTaxis.