From the sun-soaked Mediterranean to the rocky Welsh coastline, Europe has a gorgeous, incredibly varied coastline, stretching for over 68,000km (over 42,000 miles).
France, Spain and Italy are a must-visit for impossibly clear water and white sand coves that wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond movie. Meanwhile, the UK has unexpectedly stunning beaches and charming fishing villages.
Traveling by train is the best way to explore Europe’s coastal areas, thanks to the interconnected railway system that hops between all of the mainland countries. Many routes pass unexpectedly scenic spots that you might not come across otherwise.
Read on for our pick of the finest train journeys by the sea in Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images, MICHAEL WORKMAN. Image Location: Ventimiglia, Italy
Fréjus, France to Ventimiglia, Italy
Journey time: 2h 11m
Marvel at France’s spectacular south coast, the Côte d’Azur, on this scenic route. Climb aboard in the pretty port town of Fréjus and you’ll pass glitzy Cannes — home to the famous film festival of the same name — as well as artists like Pablo Picasso in his heyday.
Change trains in Nice — it’s worth getting off here to explore the pastel-colored town. Grab a flaky pain au chocolat from Boulangerie Jeannot and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, à la Brigitte Bardot. Back on board, you’ll scoot past opulent Monaco, with its casinos and fur-clad residents, before crossing the border into Italy and finishing up in Ventimiglia.
Levanto to La Spezia, Italy
Journey time: 30m
The Cinque Terre, a series of five pretty fishing villages dotted along the Italian Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in Italy for good reason. Cinematic views await: expect precipitous cliffs washed by turquoise waters dotted with crayola-colored cottages and verdant vineyards.
Many travelers hike the 11km (7 miles) Sentiero Azzurro trail along the Cinque Terre, but the train ride along this coastline is equally beautiful. Or why not combine both? With five stations en route, you can hike one way and return by train. Stop at one of the trattorias for a plate of pansotti con salsa di noci, a typical Ligurian dish that’s similar to ravioli, filled with ricotta and parmesan, and doused in a creamy garlic-walnut sauce.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Thomas Berrow / 500px. Image Location: Nefyn, Pwllheli, UK
Aberystwyth to Pwllheli, UK
Journey time: 2h 38m
Windswept beaches, mist-draped forests, and centuries-old fortresses are among the sights you’ll spot on the Cambrian Line. This iconic coastal railway in Wales encompasses 120 miles of coastline, plowing through rocky tunnels and skirting along the top of vertiginous cliffs.
En route, you’ll pass the pretty Italian-style village of Portmeirion, the 13th-century Harlech Castle and the ruggedly beautiful Snowdonia National Park, home to the second highest peak in the UK. Stop in Barmouth for a taste of the Welsh seaside, complete with traditional donkey rides and an old-fashioned amusement park.
Figueres to Tarragona, Spain
Journey time: 2h 53m
Art and architecture fans will love traveling by train along the Catalonian coast. Golden beaches, pine forests and lighthouse-topped peninsulas sit alongside gem-packed cities, like cosmopolitan Barcelona.
Start in Figueres, a quiet town known as the birthplace of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Visit the eccentrically-designed Dalí Theatre and Museum, an incredible collection of paintings, costumes, and jewelry, as well as Dalí’s burial place. Head south and you’ll pass yacht-dotted bays and secluded wild beaches.
Change in Barcelona, home to Antoni Gaudí’s world-famous architecture, including the iconic Sagrada Família cathedral and the Museu Picasso. From here, whizz past endless sandy beaches. Finish the port city of Tarragona with its medieval old town and 2nd-century Roman amphitheater.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Calvi, Corsica, France
Calvi to Ponte Leccia, Corsica
Journey time: about 2 hrs
Gaze out the window at pearly-white beaches and emerald seas of Corsica’s Balagne coast on this slow, scenic route. Starting in Calvi, the small gondola-style train (known as the rather cute-sounding trinichellu) runs pretty much as close to the water as it can get. Fancy a dip? Disembark at Bodri for the Plage de Bodri; this pristine beach, ideal for swimming, is just a few minutes walk away on foot.
From Île-Rousse, the train veers upwards into the pine-scented mountains to Ponte Leccia. Admire the views across the Monte Cinto Massif — including Corsica’s highest peak at 2,706m (8,878 ft) — before descending back down to the coast.
Ready for sensational vistas? Download the Trainline app to plan your journey and book your tickets for your next coastal railway adventure.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Chris Hellier. Image Location: Niolon Viaduct, France
