Ten of the Most Beautiful Train Stations in Europe

[page1]

Traveling by train is more than just a way to explore new places. Many of the world's best railway stations are hidden gems that can be admired at leisure while traveling from one destination to another. If you're looking for some inspiration for future trips, then these 10 rail stations will definitely excite your wanderlust.

1- Liege-Guillemins station, Belgium

I was impressed when I first visited the Liège-Guillemins Station in Belgium. Designed by Spaniard architect Santiago Calatrava, this modern building is made mainly of steel and glass with touches of white concrete at the corners and around its entrances. The large skylights that allowed natural light to enter and illuminate even some of the darker spaces below ground level stood out most. And while there are three floors above ground level, I find it remarkable how much rainwater collects from the station's roof onto two underground stormwater basins - an astonishing 33,000 m2 each!

Click Next Page to see more

[/page1]

[page2]

2- London St. Pancras Station, Great Britain

One of Europe's most lovely train stations is St. Pancras, located in the heart of England's capital. It was built during the Victorian era and has an elaborate Gothic façade that makes it a true sight to behold. With so many restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops around - you'll never find yourself bored if you're wondering what to do while waiting for your train! What better way than to catch up on some reading or enjoy people-watching? When coming from France, all you need to do is take the Eurostar Train which will arrive at this gorgeous station which can't be missed when visiting London.

[/page2]

[page3]

3- Madrid-Atocha station, Spain

The Madrid Atocha Railway Station is one of the most significant in Spain, having been opened in 1851. The first thing visitors will notice about this building is its stunning exterior featuring a light ochre coloring and intricate wrought-iron detail - though what really makes it stand out is the extensive use of natural flora from across the globe. Visitors can stroll through lush gardens full of plants and animals or even explore the pools set up for fish and turtles. There's also an outdoor monument dedicated to those who died during the horrific terrorist attack on 11 March 2004 that occurs nearby yearly.

[/page3]

[page4]

4- Amsterdam Central Station, Netherlands

For those who want to explore the different regions of Amsterdam, Amsterdams- Centraal Station is one of the most impressive structures in this town. The façade consists of Gothic and Renaissance architecture mixed together, and its size measures up to 300 meters long. Designed by an architect from centuries ago -Johannes Duiker, it's pretty fascinating that his design required 8,000 footings beneath it so the bottom would not meet the water below. A monumental task for a delightful-looking building

[/page4]

[page5]

5- Metz train station, France

The Metz Train Station is without question one of the most exquisite stations in France. Constructed from 1905 - 1908 by Berlin architect Jürgen Kröger, its facade was created using a blend of romanesque and rococo architecture styles. Many intricate details are engraved into the stonework, including intricately carved arches with solid pillars. Once inside, admire the beauty that surrounds you at every turn, from rich stained glass windows to delicate chandeliers!

[/page5]

[page6]

6- Porto-São Bento station, Portugal

Built 900 years ago on the stones of a former convent, this train station is one of the most stunning attractions in Porto. Its carved stone features and medieval feel capture the old-world charm people from all over are looking for when they visit. However, what sets it apart from other monuments is its interior design made up of blue tiles - more than 20 thousand shards of Portuguese earthenware- which tell stories of historical events and folkloric tales from northern Portugal. This work would not be complete without including an assortment of photo opportunities; taking that perfect selfie or capturing an image with friends can quickly happen here.

[/page6]

[page7]

7- Milan-Centrale train station, Italy

The Milan-Centrale Train Station is an architectural treasure of Italy - along with the buildings that make up the rest of this great city. It was inaugurated in 1931, replacing the old station in Piazza Della Repubblica. But what makes this building so different from all others? It has a distinct style: made up of Art Nouveau and Art Deco components blended together. Beyond being aesthetically pleasing to look at, though, inside, you'll find steel and glass arches covering over twenty-four platforms for thousands of travelers to pass through every day.

[/page7]

[page8]

8- Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Germany

It may not be old-fashioned, but the Berlin Hauptbahnhof is still beautiful. It has two glass towers with sweeping panoramic elevators, which tower over 15,000 square meters of commercial space within this brand new creation. Hailed as one of Germany's grandest stations - even rivaling Stuttgart - it has been an architectural marvel since 2006 when it opened its doors to travelers from all over the world who flock here daily for business or leisure purposes. Elegant and refined appearance; natural daylight filters throughout each level on the way down to train platforms well below ground level.

[/page8]

[page9]

9- Helsinki Central Station, Finland

Built during a difficult time in Finland's history, the Helsinki Central Station is an architectural masterpiece from the Arts Nouveau movement. Created by architect Eliel Saarinen, one can easily take stunning photographs of this building - looking at it from both up close and afar. In addition to being constructed entirely out of Finnish granite, the station features two double statues designed by Emil Wikström; these women are featured on either side of the main entrance doors. Additionally, two other features include a 48-meter (157 feet) tall clock tower, which has a grey-green painted roof, and inside there is a work signed by famous Finnish artist Eero Järnefelt called Pullman, which depicts various scenes from passengers' lives aboard trains just before departing for another destination.

[/page9]

[page10]

10- Antwerp-Central station, Belgium

Finishing my tour with one last stop at the Antwerp-Central Station before returning to Belgium. Like a museum for art nouveau-style architecture, the building from the outside reminded me of an old cathedral - looking ancient but still grand and timeless all at once. I was also taken aback by how tall it stood! The inside was just as impressive; decorated in 20 different types of marble while boasting columns styled after Doric, Ionic, Tuscan, and Corinthian designs.

[/page10]