October 1, 2026, 5:12 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The Prix Versailles, a prestigious architecture award, has already recognized the world’s most beautiful hotels, restaurants, airports, and museums this year. Now, the shortlist for the world’s most beautiful train stations of 2026 has been released.
The award has been presented annually at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris since 2015. An international jury of architects, designers, artists, and public figures evaluates the projects based on architectural quality, innovation, their interaction with the cultural environment, and sustainability criteria.
All seven have one thing in common: They are either completely new constructions or extensively modernized. According to “Time Out,” all stations are equally in the final. Three of them will additionally receive a title for outstanding interior and exterior design at an award ceremony in December. The seven finalists in detail.
Stazione Monte Sant’Angelo, Naples
One of the most striking finalists is the Monte Sant’Angelo Station in Naples, which opened last year (see also the large photo above). Designed by artist Anish Kapoor in collaboration with Future Systems and AL_A, the station is said to be inspired by Dante’s “Inferno.” It is located 48 meters underground. Two monumental entrances made of steel and aluminum lead into an underground world with rough walls. “With its tapering shape, the work seems to grow from the ground like a geological mass, changing its appearance over time through the natural process of oxidation,” writes the Italian art portal “Finestre sull’Arte.”
Colosseo/Fori Imperiali, Rome
The Colosseo/Fori Imperiali metro station in Rome also relies on impressive staging. The descent to the platforms becomes a veritable journey through the city’s history. A special detail: Transferring passengers can unexpectedly catch a glimpse of the Colosseum above through an opening.
Two Award-Winning Stations in Riyadh
In the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, two stations made it onto the list.
The National Museum Station, designed by the engineering and planning firm Arup, features a lattice-like concrete shell at the entrance, inspired by the topography of the Tuwaiq Mountains. Triangular openings incorporate elements of traditional Najdi architecture and offer a view of a blue-lit interior.
The Western Station, also located in Riyadh, is designed to resemble the dunes of the desert. Its curved roof provides shade for a complex of shops, a mosque, and pedestrian areas around the tracks.
Town Hall Station, Melbourne
The Town Hall Station in the Australian metropolis Melbourne is also among the seven finalists. Particularly impressive is its underground station hall, reminiscent of a cathedral. Eight tree-like columns support a vaulted ceiling in copper tones, giving the underground area its extraordinary appearance.
Part-Dieu, Lyon
The Lyon Part-Dieu Station in France also made it onto the list. The station was recently expanded to double its size to meet the demands as one of Europe’s busiest transportation hubs.
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LAX/Metro Transit Center, Los Angeles
The list is completed by the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles. Its sweeping, sculptural roofs are designed to require minimal air conditioning through natural ventilation. Solar panels also cover approximately half of the building’s energy needs.
The Seven Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World 2026
- Town Hall Station, Melbourne, Australia
- Lyon Part-Dieu Station, Lyon, France
- Colosseo/Fori Imperiali Station, Rome, Italy
- Monte Sant’Angelo Station, Naples, Italy
- National Museum Station, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Western Station, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- LAX/Metro Transit Center, Los Angeles, USA