Train Stations That Look Like Castles

Most train stations are designed for function, but some are built with majestic, castle-like grandeur that turns an ordinary commute into a journey through time. From soaring turrets to intricate stonework, these stations look more like royal palaces than places to catch a train. Whether inspired by Gothic cathedrals, medieval fortresses, or grand châteaux, these train stations feel straight out of a fairytale.

Antwerp Central Station – Belgium

Often called the "Railway Cathedral," Antwerp Central is a masterpiece of stone, glass, and iron. The station’s enormous dome, grand staircases, and intricate detailing make it feel like a royal palace rather than a transit hub. Completed in 1905, it blends Neo-Baroque and Gothic elements, with an entrance hall so stunning it’s often mistaken for a museum or government building.

St. Pancras International – London, UK

St. Pancras looks more like a Victorian-era castle than a railway station. Its red-brick façade, towering spires, and massive arched windows give it a regal presence. Opened in 1868, the station’s Gothic Revival design makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Inside, the grandeur continues with a vast glass-roofed train shed and elegant ironwork.

Gare du Palais – Quebec City, Canada

Gare du Palais is a train station that wouldn’t look out of place in a storybook village. Built in 1915, its design was inspired by the Château Frontenac, Quebec City’s famous castle-like hotel. With its turrets, steeply pitched roofs, and grand entrance, the station feels more like a French château than a place to board a train.

Estación de Toledo – Spain

Toledo’s train station is a stunning example of Neo-Mudéjar architecture, blending Gothic and Moorish influences. Its elaborate horseshoe arches, hand-carved wooden ceilings, and intricate ceramic tilework create a space that feels like an Andalusian palace. Opened in 1919, the station remains one of Spain’s most beautiful transportation hubs.

Dunedin Railway Station – New Zealand

With its black-and-white limestone façade, turrets, and intricate details, Dunedin Railway Station is often compared to a fairytale castle. Opened in 1906, its Flemish Renaissance design features stained-glass windows, grand archways, and one of the most stunning tiled floors in any train station. It’s so beautiful that it’s often used for weddings and special events.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – Mumbai, India

One of the most architecturally stunning train stations in the world, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) looks like a mix between a Gothic cathedral and an Indian palace. Built in 1887, it features domes, turrets, stained glass, and intricate carvings that blend Victorian and Indian architectural styles. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the station is as much a landmark as it is a transit hub.

Liège-Guillemins – Belgium

While many castle-like stations are historic, Liège-Guillemins is a modern architectural wonder that looks like it belongs in a futuristic fairytale. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the station’s flowing white arches and vast glass canopy give it a cathedral-like grandeur. Opened in 2009, its dramatic design makes it one of Europe’s most visually striking railway stations.

Helsinki Central Station – Finland

Helsinki’s train station has the commanding presence of a medieval fortress. Built in 1919, its massive stone towers, bronze statues, and grand arched entrance make it look like a stronghold from a fantasy novel. The station’s Art Nouveau design, with its warm granite façade and dramatic lighting, only adds to its imposing elegance.

Gare de Lyon – Paris, France

With its towering clock tower, ornate façade, and grand interiors, Gare de Lyon is one of Paris’s most elegant train stations. Built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the station features Beaux-Arts architecture and houses the famous Le Train Bleu restaurant, which feels like dining in a royal ballroom. Its palatial style makes it more than just a gateway to the south of France—it’s a landmark in itself.

São Bento Railway Station – Porto, Portugal

Sao Bento isn’t just a train station—it’s an artistic masterpiece. The station’s grand hall is decorated with over 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles, depicting Portugal’s history in breathtaking detail. The architecture, with its arched windows and decorative stonework, makes it feel more like a palace or a cathedral than a railway station.

Leipzig Hauptbahnhof – Germany

Leipzig’s main station is one of the largest in Europe and has the grandeur of a castle. Its massive stone façade, elegant archways, and grand interior halls make it feel like a royal palace. Opened in 1915, it still retains its majestic presence while serving as a major transport hub in Germany.

Train Stations That Feel Like Fairytales

These train stations prove that travel can be magical before you even step onto the train. Whether built with Gothic grandeur, royal elegance, or futuristic fantasy, these stations are destinations in their own right. Next time you’re traveling, take a moment to admire the station—because sometimes, the journey begins before the train even departs.