The most beautiful scenic train routes in Italy
Italy offers some of Europe's most spectacular railway journeys. From Mediterranean coasts to Alpine peaks, here are the routes that turn a train journey into an unforgettable experience.
1. Bernina Railway (Tirano - St. Moritz)
The Bernina Express is a UNESCO World Heritage site connecting Tirano (Lombardy) to St. Moritz (Switzerland).
- Highlights: Brusio spiral viaduct, Lago Bianco (2,253 m), Morteratsch Glacier
- Maximum altitude: 2,253 m (Ospizio Bernina, the highest adhesion railway in Europe)
- Best time: year-round (snowy landscapes in winter, Alpine flowers in summer)
- How to book: trenord.it or rhb.ch for the panoramic Bernina Express
Tip: Tirano can be reached by train from Milan with Trenord. For the Swiss part, compare the panoramic Bernina Express (check the booking rules on rhb.ch) and the regional trains on the RhB site: times and prices change.
2. Cinque Terre (La Spezia - Levanto)
The Cinque Terre railway runs along the Ligurian coast through 5 colourful villages.
- Highlights: Views of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso
- Train: Regional Trenitalia
- Best time: April-October (avoid August for crowds)
- Ticket: Cinque Terre Card includes train + hiking trails + bus
Trains between La Spezia and Levanto via Cinque Terre are tracked on Treniamo. Check real-time delays to plan your visit.
3. Brenner Railway (Verona - Innsbruck)
The Brenner line crosses the Adige Valley and the Alps into Austria.
- Highlights: Adige Valley vineyards, Trentino castles, Brenner Pass
- Train: Regional Trenitalia (Verona-Bolzano) + OBB (Bolzano-Innsbruck)
- Best time: autumn (foliage) and winter (snowy landscapes)
4. Costa Viola (Rosarno - Reggio Calabria)
One of Italy's best-kept secrets: the railway along the Costa Viola in Calabria.
- Highlights: Cliffs plunging into the sea, views of Sicily and Mount Etna, spectacular sunsets
- Train: Regional Trenitalia
- Best time: spring and autumn (best light)
- Recommended side: sea-side seat (west)
5. Circumvesuviana (Naples - Sorrento)
The historic Circumvesuviana connects Naples to the coast through volcanic landscapes.
- Highlights: Views of Vesuvius, Bay of Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum ruins
- Train: EAV (not Trenitalia)
- Best time: spring (less crowded than summer)
Note: The Circumvesuviana is not operated by Trenitalia and is not tracked on Treniamo. Timetables and tickets at eavsrl.it.
6. Val Pusteria Railway (Fortezza - San Candido)
A jewel among the South Tyrolean Dolomites.
- Highlights: Dolomites, Rio di Pusteria, Brunico, Lake Braies (reachable by bus from Villabassa)
- Train: Regional Trenitalia/SAD
- Best time: summer (hiking) and winter (skiing)
7. Amalfi Coast (Salerno - Naples via Vietri)
The railway between Salerno and Vietri sul Mare offers glimpses of the Amalfi Coast.
- Highlights: View of the Amalfi Coast emerging from the tunnel before Vietri
- Train: Regional Trenitalia
- Note: The scenic section is short. For the coast itself you need buses.
8. Calabro-Lucana Railway (historic routes)
Narrow-gauge railways in Southern Italy with routes through gorges and mountains.
- Highlights: Basento gorges, Lucanian landscapes, hilltop villages
- Note: Limited service, not always active. Check ferrovieappulolucane.it
9. Palermo - Agrigento
The Sicilian railway crossing the island's interior.
- Highlights: Sicilian countryside, golden hills, rural villages
- Train: Regional Trenitalia
- Best time: spring (green and flowering countryside)
10. Trento - Male (Val di Non Railway)
Regional railway through the Val di Non, famous for its apples.
- Highlights: Endless apple orchards, Castel Thun, Lake Santa Giustina
- Train: Trentino Trasporti
- Best time: April-May (apple blossom) and October (harvest)
Tips for scenic train travel
Choose the right seat
- Window seat obviously, but pick the right side based on the route
- On some coastal lines, the sea side changes direction
- Regional trains have no assigned seats: arrive early
Best time of day
- Early morning or late afternoon for the best light
- Avoid midday in summer (haze and glare)
- In winter, early sunsets can create magical atmospheres
Equipment
- Camera/phone fully charged
- Clean window: seats near the doors often have cleaner glass
- Offline map: some routes pass through areas with no signal
Use Treniamo to monitor punctuality of regional trains on scenic routes. Plan with buffer time for connections.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book scenic trains?
For Italian regional trains, no - just buy a ticket. For the panoramic Bernina Express, check the booking rules on rhb.ch.
Do scenic trains cost more?
Regional trains have standard fares. Dedicated tourist trains (like the Bernina Express) may have a surcharge: check the operator's site.
What's the most beautiful scenic route?
Subjective, but the Bernina Express is the most famous. For something less touristy, Costa Viola and Val Pusteria are hidden gems.