The Romance of the Rails: Italy’s Greatest Train Journeys

There is something about train travel in Italy that feels fundamentally romantic. From Alpine rack railways to Sicilian coastal crawls, Italy’s railways offer journeys that rival any destination. Here are six journeys worth making for their own sake.

The Bernina Express: Tirano to St Moritz

This UNESCO-inscribed route climbs from Italy to Switzerland through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, reaching 2,253 metres at the Bernina Pass — the highest railway crossing of the Alps.

The Circumetnea: Catania to Riposto

The narrow-gauge railway circling Mount Etna offers a three-hour journey through villages the volcano has destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.

The Cinque Terre Line: La Spezia to Levanto

The coastal train threading the five villages offers famous views and solves the parking problem. The succession of tunnel and emerge creates a rhythm that feels almost meditative.

The Frecciargento: Rome to Lecce

High-speed trains usually emphasise efficiency over scenery, but this route manages both, traversing the Apennines before descending into Puglia through ancient olive groves.

The High-Speed Frecciarossa: Milan to Rome

Not all great train journeys are slow ones. The Frecciarossa covers 570 kilometres in under three hours: breakfast in Milan, lunch in Rome.