Europe’s most Instagrammable bridges

One of the best parts of a road trip is taking photos to capture great memories and show friends and family the amazing things you’ve seen, if you’re driving in the UK or Europe, we’ve put together a list of some of the best bridges to visit – not just for their beauty, but for the stunning Instagram posts they’ll make.

By looking at Instagram hashtag data, we’ve ranked the most aesthetically pleasing bridges across Europe and the UK to help add some excitement to your feed - and your next road trip.

Plus, we’ve got top tips for driving abroad to help you get prepared for your travels around Europe.

The most Instagrammable bridges in Europe 

1. Tower Bridge, UK - 2,601,739 posts 

@philipp_pley 

Tower Bridge, the most Instagrammable bridge in Europe, is an instantly recognisable feature of the iconic London skyline.  

Spanning the River Thames for more than 125 years, the Grade I listed bridge connects Tower Hamlets with Southwark and features two horizontal roadways that rise to allow ships to pass through.

2. Ponte Vecchio, Italy - 939,453 posts

@davidmaponi

Ponte Vecchio, or ‘Old Bridge’ in Italian, is a must for anyone keen to capture the essence of historic Italy in their Instagram snaps.

It’s the oldest bridge in Florence and is said to have been standing since Roman times, with construction finishing in 1345.

In the centre of the bridge, a bust of artist Benvenuto Cellini stands surrounded by a fence. Visiting couples hang small locks on the fence before throwing the keys into the Arno River below, a tradition which is said to seal the couple’s love for eternity.

3. Charles Bridge, Czech Republic - 716,555 posts

@haggardphotography 

Lined with decorative lamps and statues, this mediaeval stone arch bridge spans the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. It took almost half a century to build with construction finishing in 1402, and it is the second oldest bridge in the country. 

One of the statues is of St John of Nepomuk, a saint from Bohemia who was thrown from the bridge for refusing to reveal the Queen’s confessional secrets. According to urban legend, rubbing the statue’s plaque brings good luck and a swift return to Prague.

4. Rialto Bridge, Italy - 176,302 posts

@adel_krepsz

The iconic Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal in Venice, connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo. 

Previously made of wood, the stone bridge that stands today was rebuilt between 1588 and 1591 following two collapses and being partially burned down in 1310.

5. Pont Neuf, France - 162,674 posts

@la.pierre.et.le.compas 

Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge across the Seine in Paris. 

Its 12 arches and 384 distinctive stone masks (macarons) depicting the heads of mythological figures give it a striking appearance that all visitors want capture on camera.  

The table below shows the top 10 most Instagrammable bridges in Europe.

The most Instagrammable bridges in the UK

1. Tower Bridge, London, England - 2,601,739 posts 

As well as being the most Instagrammable bridge in Europe, Tower Bridge also tops the UK’s ranking. Being an iconic part of the capital’s skyline, it’s no wonder it’s so popular on Instagram with 2,601,739 hashtags using #TowerBridge.

2. Iron Bridge, Shropshire, England - 121,487 posts

@macs__pics 

Shropshire is home to the world’s first ever iron bridge, an engineering marvel that inspired the widespread use of cast iron in the construction of bridges, aqueducts and buildings.  

Iron Bridge is so significant that it lends its name to the wooded valley surrounding it, which is now known as the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

3. Millennium Bridge, London, England - 105,635 posts

@theliamman 

This pedestrian bridge across the Thames links Bankside and the City of London, offering fantastic views of some of London’s most famous landmarks.

The aptly-named bridge opened in June 2000, making it one of the more modern bridges in our ranking.

Harry Potter fans will also recognise the bridge from the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where Death Eaters attack the bridge, causing it to fall into the river.

5. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, England - 88,783 posts

@exquisitevisualz

Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of Bristol’s most significant landmarks. As one of the oldest surviving iron suspension bridges in the world, the bridge is protected by Grade I structure status, which means work is carried out to preserve its rich history stretching back to 1754.

The table below shows the top 10 most Instagrammable bridges in the UK.