There is something romantic and nostalgic about train stations and railway travel in general. Around the world, some beautiful railway stations with impressive architecture, intricate artwork, and history exist– awing visitors before whisking them away by train to their destinations. Here are some of the most beautiful and unique train stations in the world that are worth visiting in their own right.
Estação de São Bento, Porto, Portugal
As far as beautiful train stations go, Porto’s São Bento railway station is one of the most romantic. Built at the turn of the 20th century, the São Bento station is famous for its beautiful azulejo tiles depicting different scenes from Portuguese history. With scenes depicting famous battles, royaly, and the evolution of transportation on over 20,000 blue and white painted tiles, the São Bento train station is a must for history buffs and art lovers. View these Portugal tours.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai, India
Mumba’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station is the busiest railway station in India with a staggering three million-plus people passing through the train station daily. The grand and beautiful train station was built in 1887 and was formerly known as the Victoria Terminus for Queen Victoria during British rule in India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Browse through these India tour packages.
Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin, New Zealand
Nicknamed the Gingerbread House due to its facade with white Oamaru limestone on black basalt rock resembling an oversized gingerbread house, the Dunedin Railway station is New Zealand’s most photographed building. Constructed in 1906 in a mix of Classical and Neo-Gothic architectural styles, this unique train station is a display of grandiose wealth and style. The ornately decorated booking hall features a mosaic floor of 750,000 tiles of Royal Doulton porcelain, as well as an Italianate-style clock tower and Gothic spire. Today when you visit the Dunedin railway station, there is also a restaurant, art gallery and sports hall of fame gallery. Click to view New Zealand tours.
Estación de Madrid Atocha, Madrid, Spain
Madrid’s Atocha Station is the largest train station in the city. Originally built in 1851, the Estación de Madrid Atocha was rebuilt in 1892 after a fire. The main draw of Madrid’s Atocha train station is the massive tropical garden inside the central terminal that transforms the busy station to a lush landscape. View more the Spain tour packages.
Antwerpen-Centraal Station, Antwerp, Belgium
Often called one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, Antwerp Central station is a popular early 20th century architectural attraction in Belgium. What makes this Belgian railway station a must-see is its 250 ft. high dome over the main terminal letting glorious light into the terminal.
Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa, Japan
Japan is known for its high-speed railways and Kanazawa Station doesn’t disappoint. What makes this train station so noteworthy is its fusion of traditional Japanese architectural styles with modern architecture, creating an aesthetically pleasing train station. You can’t miss the massive wooden Tsuzumi gate, designed after the traditional Japanese torii gates that are typically found at the entrance to shrines. There is also Japanese artwork sprinkled throughout this beautiful train station including a series of pillars embedded with elaborate art and decorated with gold leaf. View these Japan tours 2020.
