The top destinations in Europe are no secret.
The map has been drawn and the photos have been ‘Grammed. Paris. London. Rome. You’ve been dreaming of a European adventure to these cities for what feels like forever. Rearrange this top ten list however you wish and you’ll still have trouble deciding which to visit first.
Lucky for you, not only do all of these cities welcome you to visit, but most also welcome hundreds of trains per day from each other.
Sunset at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Image Credit: Getty Images, Gary Yeowell
1. Paris, France
🚉 Station: Gare du Nord
📸 See: The Eiffel Tower | The Louvre | Notre Dame Cathedral
🏨 Stay: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel | Grand Hôtel Dechampaigne | 1K Paris
Say oui to Paris. The French capital has drawn a crowd since long before the first gas-lit street lights illuminated its glitzy rues. Everyone has their own list of must-see places in Paris, but allow us to suggest catching an event at the Accor Arena, eating steak-frites at Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte, and taking the kiddos to the Paris Zoological Park.
Paris is the perfect starting point for a vacation in France. In a single week, you can take fantastic day trips from Paris to equally dazzling places like Champagne, Marseille, Normandy, and Nice.
2. Rome, Italy
🚉 Station: Roma Termini
📸 See: The Colosseum | The Pantheon | Roman Forum
🏨 Stay: Portrait Roma | Mario de’ Fiore 37 | Hotel Croce di Malta
Go on your own Roman holiday with a visit to Italy’s astounding capital. Whether you’re scouting out the best of Bernini’s sculptures or sniffing out the best pizza near the Spanish Steps, you’ll have a packed Rome itinerary. Rome wasn’t built in a day and you can’t see it all in a day…or a week or a month. So throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain so you’re guaranteed to return.
All roads and rails lead to and from Rome, allowing you to take easy day trips from the Eternal City to some of Italy’s most coveted destinations like Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast.
Skyline at Park Güell in Barcelona. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
3. Barcelona, Spain
🚉 Station: Barcelona Sants
📸 See: La Sagrada Familia | The Picasso Museum | La Rambla
🏨 Stay: El Palace Hotel Barcelona | Hotel 1898 | Hotel Soho Barcelona
Whether you’re here for the paella or Primavera Sound, Barcelona will leave you nothing short of satisfied. After you’ve taken selfies in front of Gaudí’s famous buildings and spent time at the beach, consider catching an FC Barcelona game at Camp Nou.
The best day trips from Barcelona range from Andorra to the Penedès Wine Region. As you explore Spain, make sure you see some of Espana’s other top destinations like Madrid, Grenada, Valencia, and San Sebastian.
4. London, UK
🚉 Station: London Waterloo
📸 See: Victoria and Albert Museum | The Churchill War Rooms | Battersea Power Station
🏨 Stay: The Lanesborough | The Rubens | Kabannas
Gosh, what can we say about London that’s never been said? You already plan to eat fish and chips, have a pot of tea, and catch a show in the West End. Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace — they’re all waiting for you on our tried-and-true London itinerary.
But the UK is so much more than its capital, which is why it’s the perfect launch point for day trips from London to places like Oxford, Cornwall, the Cotswolds, and even up to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.
Berlin skyline with TV Tower. Image Credit: Getty Images, Matthias Makarinus
5. Berlin, Germany
🚉 Station: Berlin Hauptbahnhof
📸 See: East Side Gallery | Museum Island | Charlottenburg Palace
🏨 Stay: Chateau Royal Berlin | Hüttenpalast | Eastern Comfort Hostel Boat
Berlin has dozens of free museums and attractions to visit, allowing you to save your Euro for the city’s many currywurst stands. This cosmopolitan city has no shortage of modern things to do beyond visiting the museums, so spend nights clubbing in Berghain and your days relaxing in the Liquidrom urban spa lounge.
The capital is the entry point for many visitors to Germany because so many amazing day trips from Berlin are accessible via train. From Leipzig and Cologne to Munich and villages throughout Bavaria, Germany’s extensive and efficient railways will take you around Deutschland.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚉 Station: Amsterdam Centraal
📸 See: Anne Frank House | Van Gogh Museum | NEMO Science Museum
🏨 Stay: Pulitzer Amsterdam | Mr Jordaan Hotel | The Flying Pig
You could spend your time in Amsterdam checking out the best bars and coffeehouses, but don’t let an inaccurate stereotype stop you from getting the greenlight to leave the Red Light District. Amsterdam is a charming city full of art, culture, and food; one that will feel like an old friend after you spend a few nights getting to know its quiet canals and busy bike lanes.
A huge mistake some travelers make: visiting only Amsterdam and abandoning the rest of the Netherlands. Utrecht, Rotterdam, Maastricht, these are places that sound unfamiliar yet will be kept close to your heart after a day trip from Amsterdam by train.
Old town and Grossmünster cathedral in Zürich. Image Credit: Getty Images, Pol Albarrán
7. Zürich, Switzerland
🚉 Station: Zürich HB
📸 See: Swiss National Museum | Kunsthaus | Lindt Chocolate Factory
🏨 Stay: FIVE Zurich Hotel | Hotel Helmhaus Zürich | Hotel St. Gotthard
Fondue or fondu-not, what you do in Zürich is up to you. We’d suggest getting out onto the water with a boat tour, nibble on chocolate at the Lindt factory, and check out the FIFA Museum. We’re also big fans of the Zürich Tram Museum, and if you’re here in winter, the Zürich Christmas markets are magical.
Switzerland is one of the best European countries to explore by train. Take a day trip from Zürich to cities like Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Zermatt, and Lucerne, and we guarantee you’ll swoon for the Switzerland’s landscape.
8. Lisbon, Portugal
🚉 Station: Santa Apolónia
📸 See: Santa Justa Lift | Torre de Belém | Jerónimos Monastery
🏨 Stay: Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina Hotel | Browns Boutique | Martinhal Lisbon Oriente
A warning about visiting Lisbon: you’ll fall in love with it on your first visit. It might be the first note of fado music, the first bite of a pastel de nata, or the first glimpse of the São Jorge Castle from a mirador. Whichever iconic part of Portuguese culture touches your soul first, it will linger in your heart for eternity.
Portugal is not “Spain-adjacent”. Spend time touring the country from south to north to see beautiful beaches, sample fantastic wines, and get caught up in the country’s mournful romance with visits to Porto, Lagos, and Madeira.
Vyhavn harbor in Copehnagen. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
🚉 Station: København H
📸 See: Copenhagen Opera House | Tivoli Gardens | Danish War Museum
🏨 Stay: D’Angleterre | Downtown Hostel | Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers
Copenhagen is the cool cousin when it comes to European capitals. Fewer crowds keep it authentically chill. Nyhavn’s colorful buildings and the rides at Tivoli Gardens are worth a visit, but don’t be hesitant to find more fun in neighborhoods like Freetown Christiania and Frederiksberg.
The capital is just the start of an adventure in Denmark. Instead of crossing the Øresund Bridge into Sweden, head west and visit other top destinations in Denmark like Odense, Aarhus, and Aalborg.
10. Vienna, Austria
🚉 Station: Vienna Central Station
📸 See: Schönbrunn Palace | Vienna State Opera | Naschmarkt
🏨 Stay: Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere | Do Step Inn | Boutiquehotel Stadthalle
Vienna is sensoric magnificence. The buildings. The art. The music. Even the cakes are larger than life in this city. As much of a fan as we are of rail travel, skip the metro every now and then to walk through the city and bask in its glorious attractions like Belvedere Palace, Hofburg Palace, and the Rathaus.
The grandeur of Austria is on display in Vienna, but other cities are keen to show you the country’s softer side. From winter sports in Innsbruck and The Sound of Music filming locations in Salzburg, the top destinations in Austria are only a day trip from Vienna by train.
Grand Palace in Brussels. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
More top destinations in Europe
Many of these must-see cities are a short train ride away from the top destinations in Europe.
Brussels, Belgium
Main station: Bruxelles-Midi
Treat yourself to a trip to Brussels from Paris, Amsterdam, or even London and you’re in for a sweet visit. Once you’re finished gorging on chocolate and beer, wander from the Grand Place to the Royal Palace, the Comics Art Museum, and search for the three “Pis” statues around Belgium’s capital.
Prague, Czechia
Main station: Praha hlavní nádraží
Prague is the crown gem of Central European cities when it comes to the well-trodden tourist trail. If you haven’t had the chance to visit Czechia and get lost amongst the architecture of Old Town ranging from the 11th to the 18th centuries, a short train ride from Berlin or Munich will get you there.
View of Parliament from Fischerman's Bastion in Budapest. Image Credit: Getty Images, Eric Yang
Budapest, Hungary
Main station: Budapest Keleti Station
Ruin pubs and thermal bath houses. Those aren’t the only draws of Budapest, but they’re a fantastic start to a Hungary itinerary that could also include a somber visit to the Terror House, Buda Castle, and Central Market Hall.
Stockholm, Sweden
Main station: Stockholm Central Station
ABBA ain’t the only reason to visit Stockholm. Sure, your parents’ favorite pop group might be the reason you put Sweden on your map, but does your mother know that this capital city is full of the latest Scandi fashion trends? Scoop up new threads for her as a souvenir then hit up a rooftop bar and start planning a country-wide excursion with your Swedish Eurail pass.
Oslo Opera House in Norway. Image Credit: Getty Images, Mats Anda
Oslo, Norway
Main station: Oslo Central Station
Oslo is fjordous. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, Viking Ship Museum (temporarily closed for rebuilding purposes), and Munch Museum will keep you busy. Don’t feel like you need to rush around the Norwegian capital, though. Oslo is best experienced slowly: Gaze out at the Oslofjord from the Oslo Opera House and stroll the Vigeland Park’s sculptures.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main station: Ljubljana Railway Station
Come to Slovenia for Lake Bled, stay for Ljubljana. The capital city will surprise you with delights at every corner: it’s got one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras on the planet, solid street art in Šiška’s cultural quarter, and prehistoric artifacts in both the National and City Museums. Getting there from Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary by train is easier than it seems on the map.
Monastiraki square and the Acropolis in Athens cityscape. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
Athens, Greece
Main station: Athens Larisa Railway Station
We don’t have to twist your arm to visit Athens, do we? Go to the top of the Acropolis and that alone will etch Greece into your vacation memories forever. You can spend the rest of your time admiring sculptures in the museums or finding the best gyro in town, then get fresh air (and an amazing view) of Athens from the top of Mount Lycabettus.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Main station: Autobusni Kolodvor (Bus)
Getting down to Dubrovnik from Zagreb or even Split seems like a far jaunt — especially with Dubrovnik’s lack of railways. But you need not be a Game of Thrones fan to take this worthwhile trip. From walking the City Walls to sailing around Lokrum, few travelers leave Dubrovnik’s coastal city unimpressed.
Rynek Glowny Square in Krakow. Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price
Krakow, Poland
Main station: Krakow Glowny
Poland is a Central European sleeper country; far too many travelers are only now realizing how perfect Poland is as part of a trip to Germany or Czechia. Krakow is easily accessible from Brno, Prague, and Berlin, giving you all the more reason to hop the train and see the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, and Rynek Underground.
Dublin, Ireland
Main station: Connolly
Fly into Dublin and you’ll see the color green with new eyes. The Emerald Isle is both deserving of its name and of its place as a top destination in Europe. Begin your Irish escapades with visits to Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and the Irish Whiskey Museum. Trains do run through Ireland, stemming from Dublin’s central station; but remember that you can also rail and sail from London to Dublin via the ferry from Holyhead, Wales.
Ready to ride the rails around the top destinations in Europe? Download the Trainline app and get going on a grand getaway today.
Woman riding a bike down Nyhavn pier in Copenhagen. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Klaus Vedfelt
