There are tons of love lock locations around the world where you can attach a padlock to symbolize your everlasting devotion. We’re obsessed with finding these on our travels and this a list of our favorites.
Did anyone watch “The Bachelorette” with Emily Maynard? Remember the one on one date with John in Prague, when he tries unsuccessfully to place their padlock on the fence covered in locks?
I’d never heard about “love locks” before watching that episode, but apparently it’s a hugely popular trend, especially in Europe.
What are love locks?
Did you know that there is a tradition of attaching padlocks to bridges as a symbol of love, and then throwing the key in the water?
Love locks are a tradition where couples attach padlocks with their names or initials to a fence, gate, bridge or public fixture to symbolize their eternal love for each other.
Who started the tradition of love locks?
While this trend started gaining popularity in the 2000s, lovers have actually been doing this for decades.
The origins of this trend date back centuries ago when couples would take an oath of loyalty by clasping hands through a looped chain.
The practice has been around for ages but there’s no real evidence that locking these chains meant anything other than being bound together as one.
The first known occurrence was at an ancient wooden bridge found in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of locks on a pedestrian footbridge called Most Ljubavi (translated “the Bridge of Love”).
Fun fact: The placing of the locks on this bridge can be traced back to before World War II!
Where can I find love lock locations?
Love locks are virtually everywhere you look! Nowadays, no matter where you are in the world, it seems like all bridges have them. Ready to join the trend?
Here are our favorite places you can find somewhere to leave your lock of love.
France
In Paris, France it is customary to attach a padlock to Pont des Arts and throw the key into the Seine River below to symbolize everlasting love.
The tradition is said to have started when a couple who were separated by World War I, met on the Pont des Arts bridge with padlocks engraved with their names.
China
In recent years this romantic trend has caught fire and almost every metal pole and chain-link fence in Mount Huang, China is also covered in love locks.
Couples there affix their lock, as a symbol of joining their souls, and then toss the key off the edge of the cliff.
In Beijing, China you can add your own padlock to the beautiful iron chains that hang from the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall near a Ming Dynasty watchtower.
The wall is one of the grandest sights in all of China and this area has been popular for locking a symbol around your loved ones’ wrists or necks since it opened as a tourist attraction many years ago.
Italy
In Italy they call them “love padlocks” (chiave d’amore).
The trend has been made popular by a fictional event in the book “I Want You” by Italian author Federico Moccia. The book was adapted in the film Ho voglia di te.
In Rome, lovers will often attach their lock on Ponte Milvio (Rome) or Ponte Vecchio (Florence).
While there are numerous locations in Italy adorned with padlocks, the most famous is on the Via Dell’Amore, a path connecting the towns of Manarola and Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre.
There’s a legend that says the Via Dell’ Amore was a meeting place for lovers from the two towns.
Today, it has become a popular site for tourists to place their locks and toss the keys into the sea.
Germany
I found these love locks running the complete length of one of the pedestrian bridges that cross the Danube in Regensburg, Germany during our recent Viking Grand European Tour cruise.
Just one of the many hidden gems we stumbled upon during our lovely 15 day European adventure with Viking!
In 2009, love locks began popping up on the Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge in Cologne, Germany.
The bridge’s operator threatened to have them removed but changed their mind after public backlash. It now has over 40,000 locks of love!
South Korea
Seoul has long been known as a city that loves love, and its newest addition to the skyline is no exception.
The Seoul N Tower, previously known as the Namsan Tower, is now home to many love locks left by couples who want their love to last forever.
The tower itself is an interesting piece of architecture with its unique shape and 360 degree views of the city. However, it’s not just for tourists anymore; locals are starting to take advantage of this romantic destination too!
They’ve even added seven artificial trees known as the “love trees” on the N Seoul Tower that hold the padlocks from people all over the world.
Instead of tossing the key into the water, there is a bin to leave your key behind. (We love this!)
Slovenia
A fairly new pedestrian bridge (Butchers Bridge) that crosses the Ljubljanica River in
Slovenia is a small country in the heart of Europe. It’s overlooked by many, but not by those who have been there and fallen in love with it.
The tiny nation has some of the most stunning natural scenery you’ll find anywhere on earth, from green rolling hills to shimmering blue lakes. So what better place to lock your love with a padlock?
You can’t miss them when traveling through Slovenia, they’re everywhere. There are actually over 250 bridges with them throughout Slovenia!
One bridge in particular in Ljubljana is known for its breathtaking views over Ljubljanica River and the city of Ljubljana.
There’s even an annual competition called the Ljubljana Festival of Love Locks where people from all around Europe come to show off their creativity and skills by crafting new ways to lock up their feelings.
Mexico
Modo Museum in Mexico City recently had an installation of “Love Locks” where visitors could write their initials and attach a lock with their own personal padlock.
There is an iron box outside the museum to deposit your key in to be sealed forever as a symbol of everlasting love.
Whether it’s for yourself or someone else, this is one way to make sure that your love stays alive long after the two of you are gone. What do you think?
Guam
If you’re looking for something to do on your next trip, consider locking up your love at Two Lovers Point in Tamuning.
This scenic spot is a popular tourist attraction and offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic photo op or proposal location.
The area is also known as “Lovers’ Rock.” You can find it near the entrance to the Guam Memorial Park Cemetery.
It’s easy to get there by taking Route 1 from downtown Hagåtña towards Tumon Bay and turn right onto Marine Drive until you reach Two Lover’s Point Road which will take you all the way down to this picturesque destination!
Canada
Just a few blocks from the iconic Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, you’ll find a beautiful pedestrian bridge that’s been drawing in tourists and locals alike.
The Burrard Street Bridge is a tourist attraction in Vancouver, Canada. It’s well-known for the love locks that couples attach to it and throw away their keys into the nearby river below.
Every year people flock from all over the world to witness this tradition and take pictures of themselves with these locks as a keepsake of their visit to Vancouver.
Taiwan
Young people hang locks in Fengyuan, Taiwan at a train station. The locks have wishes of love or success written on them.
Legend has it that when a train passes, its magnetic energy on the tracks will allow energy to accumulate in the locks and make their wishes come true.
Ukraine
Ukraine has a pedestrian bridge in Kiev that crosses over Volodymyrsky Uzviz Street which is located by the National Philharmonic building.
All along the bridge, people have filled it with their locks of love.
Uraguay
In Uruguay, the Montevideo Fountain has been designated for locks of love hung by couples.
A plaque there states that if two people are truly in love and they place a lock with their initials on it, their love will be locked forever.
Budapest
In Budapest, the grand old Chain Bridge is a favorite spot for this ritual because it crosses over the Danube River and connects two parts of town with colorful names: Buda on one side and Pest on the other.
Locals have even placed padlocks engraved with their hometowns in addition to ones they’ve purchased from souvenir shops!
United States
Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in America and has been since its opening in 1883.
It’s also one of the busiest bridges in New York City, with over 600,000 vehicles crossing it every day.
The Brooklyn Bridge and it’s promenade area has started attracting love locks that adorn the massive structure. They are silent symbols in a place that never seems to be still.
Where would you like to leave your own love lock?
We’re intrigued by what makes a place romantic. Although we didn’t see any love locks in Verona, we think it has a unique ‘shrine to love’
Here in india, there is a custom of tying saffron coloured threads instead of locks. Also, we tie them at temples and synagogues instead of bridges.
The symbol is irrelevant till it serves the same purpose.
Thanks for sharing that info – very cool!
Wow, that’s awesome and great… If I were gonna go there, I’ll put 5 locks for my friends…
They have these locks of love on the Brooklyn Bridge too.
Oh cool! Do you live in New York?