Budapest’s Megyeri Bridge: Drive Under Hungary’s Biggest “Christmas Tree”
If you visit Budapest during the festive season, you probably picture Christmas markets, mulled wine, and the lights of the city’s historic center. Yet there is a modern winter highlight that many tourists still don’t know about: the Megyeri Bridge, which transforms into Hungary’s largest “Christmas tree” every December.
This spectacular illuminated bridge is more than just a piece of infrastructure. For a few magical days each year, it becomes a glowing green landmark over the Danube, and a unique winter photo spot you can literally drive under.
What Is the Megyeri Bridge?
The Megyeri Bridge is a striking cable‑stayed road bridge on the northern section of Budapest’s ring road, the M0 motorway. It spans the Danube, connecting the Újpest district on the Pest side with Budakalász via Szentendre Island. Even without festive lights, it is one of the most impressive modern bridges in Hungary, with two elegant pylons rising around 100 meters above the river and a sweeping view of the Danube and the surrounding landscape.
For most of the year, the bridge serves as an important traffic route, helping drivers bypass the city center. But in December, something truly special happens: the Megyeri Bridge puts on its Christmas costume.
Hungary’s Biggest “Christmas Tree” in the Sky
Locals affectionately call the illuminated Megyeri Bridge the country’s biggest “Christmas tree.” Once the festive lights are switched on, usually in the run‑up to Christmas, the two tall pylons become glowing green triangles, crowned by shining stars. The visual effect is stunning: as darkness falls, the bridge looks like a giant pair of Christmas trees floating above the river.
The transformation is created with a clever but simple trick. The bridge’s lighting system is covered with a special green foil placed over almost every light source, except for the normal street lighting. Additional decorative lights and star‑shaped elements complete the Christmas look. The result is a deep, rich green glow that stands out beautifully against the winter sky, especially on clear evenings.
The festive illumination is only available for a limited time each year. In 2025, the Megyeri Bridge Christmas lights are visible until December 26th in the evenings, so if you are spending the holidays in Budapest, it is well worth planning a visit while the lights are on.
How to See the Megyeri Bridge Christmas Lights
You have two main options to enjoy the illuminated Megyeri Bridge: by car or by approaching it on foot or bike from a safe viewpoint. Both offer a different experience, so it depends on what you are looking for.
If you drive across the bridge on the M0, you literally travel “under” the country’s largest Christmas tree. The tall, green‑lit pylons tower above the road, and the effect as you pass between them is quite dramatic. For many locals, this has become a beloved little ritual during December: taking a short drive just to pass under the glowing Christmas bridge.
However, if you want to admire the bridge from a distance, or take photos and videos, the safest and most recommended way is to approach from the 2‑es főút (Main Road 2) on the Pest side. From there, you can reach the area under the Pest bridgehead, where you can walk or cycle to a viewpoint without having to stand near fast traffic. From this angle, you can see the full silhouette of the bridge, the reflections in the Danube, and the brilliant green “Christmas trees” formed by the pylons.
Whichever option you choose, one rule is non‑negotiable: do not stop on the hard shoulder of the motorway to take pictures and never try to photograph while driving. The Hungarian road authority has repeatedly emphasized that photos should only be taken from a safe, designated place, not from the M0 itself. It is much safer, and in fact more rewarding, to plan a short detour, park properly, and take your time enjoying the view.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
The Megyeri Bridge is illuminated in the evenings, and the Christmas lights are at their most impressive after full darkness. On clear nights, you can see the green glow from a distance as you approach. Around blue hour, just after sunset, the combination of the deepening sky and the first bright lights creates a beautiful, atmospheric backdrop for photos.
Since the installation is only available until around December 26th, the days before and during Christmas are the key period. If you are spending Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in Budapest and want to add something different to your holiday program beyond markets and churches, an evening trip to the Megyeri Bridge can be a memorable addition.
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Combining the Megyeri Bridge with Other Northern Budapest Sights
Because the Megyeri Bridge is located in the northern part of Budapest, you can easily combine your visit with other, less touristy but charming places in the area. Before or after enjoying the Christmas lights, you might explore the neighborhood or nearby towns.
On the Pest side, the Újpest district has a more local, residential atmosphere, with cafés, bakeries, and smaller shops. If you prefer nature, head toward the Danube riverbank paths in the area, where you can catch glimpses of the bridge and the water.
Across the river, Budakalász and Szentendre Island invite you to discover a quieter, more rural side of the Budapest region. In winter, these areas are calm and atmospheric, especially if you enjoy walking in the cold fresh air along the Danube. A bit further north lies the popular town of Szentendre, known for its cobbled streets, museums, and art galleries, which can be a wonderful day trip from Budapest at any time of year.
In this way, the Megyeri Bridge light show can become part of a wider northern Budapest itinerary, giving you a broader impression of the city beyond the classic central highlights like Buda Castle, the Parliament, and the Chain Bridge.
A Different Kind of Budapest Christmas Experience
Most foreign visitors associate Budapest’s Christmas season with traditional elements: steaming chimney cakes, festive stalls on Vörösmarty Square, the grandly decorated Basilica, and the ice rink at City Park. All of these are absolutely worth experiencing, but the Megyeri Bridge offers something more modern and unexpected.
Seeing a contemporary piece of engineering turned into a joyful festive landmark says something about Budapest itself. The city does not only celebrate its historic architecture; it also plays with its newer structures and turns them into seasonal attractions. The illuminated bridge has become a favorite sight for locals, who watch for the official announcement each year that “the country’s biggest Christmas tree has been turned on” and often share pictures on social media.
As a visitor, seeking out this less obvious winter attraction can make you feel a bit more like a local. It is the kind of experience that many tourists miss simply because it is not in the old town. You might find yourself telling friends at home that one of your most memorable Christmas moments in Budapest was not only at the market, but driving under a gigantic glowing “tree” spanning the Danube.
Practical Tips for Tourists
If you are relying on public transport, reaching the immediate area of the Megyeri Bridge for a close‑up view is a bit more complicated than visiting downtown highlights, but a combination of metro and bus can bring you toward the northern districts and the 2‑es főút. From there, a short walk or bike ride can get you closer to the bridgehead. Taxis and ride‑hailing services are also an option if you prefer a more straightforward journey, especially in colder weather.
If you rent a car during your Budapest stay, visiting the bridge becomes very easy. You simply follow the M0 ring road to the northern section and drive across the bridge in the evening. Even if you do not stop to take photos, the experience of passing under the illuminated pylons is worth the short detour.
Remember that winter in Budapest can be cold, with temperatures often around or below freezing in December. Dress warmly, especially if you plan to walk or stand outside to admire the view. Gloves, a hat, and a good warm coat will help you enjoy the spectacle without rushing back to the car too soon.
Why You Should Add the Megyeri Bridge to Your Winter Bucket List
If you are planning a winter holiday in Budapest and searching for unique things to do at Christmas, the Megyeri Bridge’s festive lights deserve a spot on your list. It is free to enjoy, visually impressive, and offers a completely different perspective on the city and the Danube compared to the classic postcard views.
You will experience a side of Budapest that many guidebooks barely mention: the modern infrastructure, the northern districts, and the way locals interact with their city during the holidays. Combined with the traditional Christmas markets, thermal baths, and historic landmarks, it rounds out your understanding of Budapest as a living, evolving metropolis.
So while you sip mulled wine in the city center and admire the lights of the Basilica or the Parliament, take one evening to head north. Look for the glowing green shape rising above the river, drive under the “branches” of Hungary’s biggest Christmas tree, or stand on the riverbank and watch the reflections shimmer in the dark water. It is a simple moment, but one that captures the magic of Budapest at Christmas in a fresh, unforgettable way.
The Most Beautiful Christmas Trees in Budapest
Budapest is filled with magical Christmas trees during the festive season, each one adding its own sparkle to the city’s winter charm. From the grand tree in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica to the elegant decorations in Vörösmarty Square and smaller, hidden gems in courtyards and parks, the city becomes a living Christmas card. Why not turn your visit into a festive scavenger hunt? Wander the streets, peek into squares, and see how many beautiful trees you can find — you might just discover your own favorite “most beautiful Christmas tree” in an unexpected corner of the city.
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