Rail travel in Spain isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s a chance to step inside, admire, and linger in some of the country’s most intriguing buildings: its train stations.
Scattered across Spain’s 9,000-mile railway network are stations that double as architectural landmarks, each shaped by the era and region that built them. Some remain useful transport hubs for your travels; others have slipped into quieter roles as cultural spaces and historical sites.
These stations capture stories of engineering ambition, wartime history, and architectural beauty. Whether you’re passing through or planning a dedicated detour, the most beautiful train stations in Spain deserve more than just a hurried walk to the platform.
The most beautiful train stations in Spain – and the history behind them
Canfranc Station, Canfranc, Huesca
Set high in the Pyrenees, Canfranc Station opened in 1928 as a vast Beaux-Arts complex intended to serve as a glittering international gateway between Spain and France, earning the nickname “Titanic of the Pyrenees.” At the time, it was the second-largest station in Europe, built entirely of concrete, iron, stone, and glass. Even now, the 200-meter-long facade looks wonderfully out of place in the mountain village behind it, home to just 500 residents.
While beautiful, its story is equally intriguing. Fires, war, and political turmoil repeatedly stalled its promise, and during World War II, it became a crossing point for refugees and those escaping France. Then, in 1970, a derailment on the French side destroyed a key bridge and cut the line entirely, leaving Canfranc to decay.
Today, the station has been given a second life. Much of the original structure has been painstakingly restored and reopened as a five-star hotel, Canfranc Estación, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s worth visiting to stand beneath its grand arches, framed by surrounding snow-capped peaks, or to visit the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Canfranc Express, where you can enjoy fine dining inside an early 20th-century train coach.
Adando Indalecio Prieto, Bilbao, Biscay
Bilbao’s main station remains central to the city’s transport system but is also a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. A major refurbishment in 2007 opened the rear facade, introducing sweeping glazed viewpoints that give the Neoclassical building a brighter, more contemporary feel and highlight its historic character.
The large polychrome stained-glass window enclosing the platform area is one of Bilbao’s main attractions. Composed of 301 pieces, it was created in 1948 by Jesús Arrecubieta of the Irun Glass Artists’ Union workshop, following a sketch by Miguel Pastor Veiga. The window depicts diverse scenes typical of Biscayan society, as well as emblematic landmarks such as the Basilica of Begoña.
Zamora Station, Zamora, Castilla y León
Zamora, in the province of Castilla y León, is known for having one of the highest concentrations of Romanesque buildings in Europe, so it’s fitting that its train station carries a strong sense of heritage. Designed in 1927 but completed after the Spanish Civil War, the Neo-Plateresque building stands out with its four towers, carved stonework, and central clock.
The station was instrumental in reconnecting the region during the post-war years, when rail was the most reliable way to move both people and essential goods. The building became an architectural emblem of Zamora, representing the rebirth of the railway infrastructure after years of conflict.
Today, it draws visitors to its Renaissance-inspired facade, which includes decorative details reflecting the traditions and culture of Zamora, like carved limestone and motifs inspired by the historical architecture of Castile and León.
La Antigua Estación, Almería
Almería’s old station is no longer in use, but it remains one of the city’s most eye-catching landmarks. Built between 1890 and 1893 by French engineer Laurent Farge, the building blends a soaring iron and glass structure with neo-Mudejar brickwork, reflecting both the Industrial Revolution and the region’s Moorish design heritage.
Inside, light pours through the glass upper facade onto ceramic murals crafted by Francisco Cañadas that depict railway scenes and Almerían landscapes. The former lounges for first, second, and third-class travelers are still laid out, offering a glimpse into the social rituals of early train travel.
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