Looking for a flight-free spring escape? Here are 7 amazing European cities to visit by train

05.04.2024 - 22:41 / euronews.com

The Easter holidays are rapidly approaching and if you're looking to book a break, it could be the perfect time for a train adventure. 

Rail routes can be surprisingly fast - just 3.5 hours from London to Amsterdam - and even the long ones have luxurious sleeper routes to recommend them.

Travellers are increasingly sharing the joys of slow travel. Getting from A to B is a pleasure when you’re immersed in the varied landscapes of Europe. And more routes than ever are opening up around Europe which means you can make the journey with ease. 

So from cultural hubs in the north to sunshine-soaked destinations in the south, we’ve picked seven fantastic cities in Europe that you don’t have to fly to.

Switzerland’s postcard-perfect capital is located on the banks of the crystal clear River Aare and surrounded by the towering beauty of the snow-capped Alps. 

Take advantage of the spring weather to embark on an e-bike tour along route Radwanderroute 888 – Grünes Band Bern or stroll through the Rosengarten. 

It’s also home to six kilometres of sheltered sandstone shopping arcades packed with independent cellar bars, cafes and craft shops. For the best views over the medieval Altstadt (Old Town), climb the 344 steps up to the top of Bern Cathedral, the country’s highest church tower at 101 metres.

Direct trains run to Bern from Paris and Frankfurt in 4.5 hours. From Brussels and London, the journey takes 7.5 hours with one change in the French capital.

It’s impossible to pick just one gourmet hotspot in Europe, but Italy’s enchanting city of Florence is a particularly mouth-watering choice. 

Emphasising local, sustainable and seasonal food, Tuscan treats such as schiacciata flatbread and flavourful Florentine steak are often on the menu. Tuck into tagliatelle made with locally sourced truffle and porcini mushrooms, or go for wild boar pappardelle pasta, followed by arguably the best gelato in the entire country.

Temperatures start rising in March but are still mild in spring - the perfect weather for sightseeing. 

Night trains reach Florence in 10 hours from Munich, making the city an ideal destination for sleeper train holidays. From Geneva, the journey is under 6.5 hours.

Thanks to famous painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt, Amsterdam is a city of iconic art. 

Home to the Dutch Masters’ works in the Rijksmuseum and the equally engaging modern pieces at the Stedelijk, it’s easy to see why the Netherlands' capital is considered one of Europe’s cultural hubs. Explore further and you’ll discover plenty more, from outdoor sculptures to tiny independent galleries.

Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside bursts into life during spring. The canals are lined with bright green trees, the city's parks are arguably at their best and