Top 10: The Best Places to Go Interrailing

Traveling while you’re young is all about adventure, discovery, and making the most of a tight budget. Few experiences match the thrill of hopping on a train and exploring Europe’s diverse cultures, landscapes, and cities. With countless ways of going about this journey, the planning stage for your Interrail adventure can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why here at Civitatis, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to go Interrailing, which you can follow along in order on your travels if you so wish!

What is Interrailing?

The Interrail Pass is a single ticket or rail pass that allows all EU + UK residents to travel freely throughout Europe. The best thing about Interrailing is its flexibility, as it allows you to plan your own route, and spend as much or as little time in cities as you like! You might find yourself having a particularly good time in Budapest, and end up staying a few extra nights—your Interrail Pass allows you to do just that.

If you’re planning your own Interrailing journey, check out this list of the best Interrail destinations, so you can create the ultimate itinerary. All aboard!

1. Barcelona

We recommend beginning your journey in Barcelona. The Catalan capital is not only famous for its eccentric architecture, including numerous gems from Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. If that’s not your thing, Barcelona also has you covered with miles worth of beaches, and a bustling nightlife, so really there’s something for everyone!

To get a sense of the city, we recommend taking a stroll along La Rambla, one of Barcelona’s main thoroughfares. There’s always something happening on this bustling street, and there’s lots to see along the way. La Boqueria for example is the city’s most famous market, with over 800 years of history. Along with fresh vegetables, meat and fish, there are also some great eats in this restaurant, which you can enjoy for yourself as part of this La Boqueria tapas tour!

• Enjoy a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia.
• Go on this Parc Güell guided walking tour.

From Barcelona, you can easily travel by Interrail to Montpellier, and from there you can continue your rail journey to other Mediterranean cities such as Marseille, Nice, and Monaco. Or, for you romantics, you can head straight to the City of Love: Paris!

• See more tours & experiences in Barcelona.

2. Paris

Paris, also known as the City of Light, is a must-visit, and easily slots in as part of an Interrail itinerary! The city is a hub of art, fashion and history. Enjoy a guided tour of the Louvre Museum and see Leonardo da Vinci’s priceless Mona Lisa with your own two eyes. Also, grab a ticket to the Musée d’Orsay, and see masterpieces from the likes of Manet, Renoir, Degas, and Monet!

Of course, in Paris, you also need to visit the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and Saint-Chapelle all of which you can see as part of this free walking tour of Paris with Civitatis. Another, slightly different, way of seeing the city is by enjoying a cruise along the River Seine. Also, be sure to check out the many ways you can visit the Eiffel Tower: the symbol of Paris.

• See more tours & experiences in Paris.

3. Brussels

European Interrail travel spans numerous countries, and Belgium often emerges as a favourite among travellers. Its capital, Brussels, serves as a major rail hub, offering seamless connections not only across Belgium but also to key destinations throughout the continent. Discover the city itself on this free walking tour of Brussels, and then make your way to some of its neighbouring cities. On this Bruges and Ghent day trip, you’ll discover the two most popular day trip options from the capital, which coincidentally are two of the best-preserved Medieval cities in the world.

Check out our guide to day trips from Brussels, for more information on ways you can visit Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Amsterdam.

If you want to spend a bit longer in the city, definitely buy yourself the Brussels Card. This card is the most economical way to discover what the city has to offer, covering admission to 49 museums and attractions in the city. Among these attractions are the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Autoworld Brussels, and Erasmus House.

• See more tours & experiences in Brussels.

4. Amsterdam

Amsterdam is another favourite among Interrailers. This should come as no surprise, the capital of the Netherlands has it all: a great atmosphere, lots of culture, and beautiful architecture. In the city, definitely go on a cruise along Amsterdam’s canals—did you know that the city’s canal network, built in the 16th and 17th centuries is a UNESCO World Heritage site? For us, this is the best way to see the city!

Once you’ve made your way around the main landmarks in the city, like the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square and the Heineken Experience, we recommend looking into some of the day trip options from the city. Our favourite day trip is this Windmills Tour of Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken. This activity will bring you on a journey through the Netherlands, seeing the country’s famous windmills, dams and medieval towns along the way.

• Check out this Rijksmuseum guided tour.
• Go on the Heineken Experience + canal cruise.
• Explore the city on a free tour of Amsterdam.

One of the most popular Interrail journeys is the trip between Amsterdam and Hannover, from where you can easily travel to Berlin in less than two hours.

• See more tours & experiences in Amsterdam.

5. Prague

Prague is another hugely popular Interrail destination. With its incredible well-preserved architecture, strolling through the Czech capital is a bit like taking a step back into the Middle Ages. The old town allows you to step back in time and let your imagination run wild. The cliché of dreaming of a fairy tale is more real than ever in this city.

The Old Town Square and Charles Bridge over the Vltava River are undoubtedly Prague’s most famous landmarks—learn all about them on this free walking tour of Prague! Of course, there’s much more to the city than those two landmarks. One of our favourite parts of the city is its rich beer culture. Home to some of the finest breweries on the planet, be sure to check out this Prague beer culture tour, which will bring you to some of these establishments, and give you the chance to sample local beers!

• See more tours & experiences in Prague.

8. Vienna

Continue your Interrail journey to Vienna, Austria’s elegant capital city, renowned for its grand palaces and rich heritage of classical music. Immerse yourself in history with a visit to the Hofburg Palace, or, See the Schönbrunn Palace on a guided tour. Then, experience the music of arguably the greatest composer of all time at this Mozart Concert at the Musikverein—an unforgettable setting. If music isn’t your thing, cap your evening with a delightful dinner cruise on the Danube featuring live music, savouring local specialities while taking in stunning views of Vienna’s illuminated monuments.

To enjoy another highlight of Vienna, grab yourself a Belvedere Museum ticket, an art gallery which is best known for being home to The Kiss, by Gustav Klimt. However, there’s lots more to see, including Baroque, Art Nouveau and Medieval pieces.

• See more tours & experiences in Vienna.

7. Bratislava

Bratislava is, for us, a wildly underrated Interrail destination. The Slovak capital city is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, though it packs a punch with its beautiful architecture, great food, and day trip options just outside the city. The symbol of Bratislava is the gorgeous Bratislava Castle, which is the focal point of the city’s skyline. Visit Bratislava Castle to learn about its 1000+ year history, which has included fires, Celtic rulers, Hungarian kings and much more! Other architectural highlights include the Slovak National Theatre, the Blue Church and the Grassalkovich Presidential Palace—see them for yourself (in style) on this Bratislava tourist train.

Are you familiar with Slovak cuisine? If not, you’re missing out, and your visit to Bratislava is your time to taste it. The best-known dish is bryndzové halušky, which is Slovakia’s answer to gnocchi. This cheesy, potato dish is usually served with bacon and spring onions and is sure to keep you warm if you’re visiting over the winter months. Try other traditional delicacies on this food tour of Bratislava—indulge in wine, duck pate, pretzel and more!

If you have a little more time in the city, definitely consider this Zilina + Mala Fatra National Park day trip, during which you’ll see some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in all of Europe.

• See more tours & experiences in Bratislava.

8. Budapest

Next up on our list is the Pearl of the Danube, the Heart of Europe, and the Capital of Thermal Baths: Budapest. Hungary’s capital city is another one of the most frequented Interrail destinations. It’s likely that Budapest will fall somewhere in the middle of your travels, by which point you’ll likely be ready to slow things down a bit. If that’s how you’re feeling, it’s time to have some ‘you time’ and buy a ticket to the Gellért Spa. This spa is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen—what’s not to love about chilling out in hot thermal springs surrounded by beautiful art nouveau architecture? Along with hot thermal springs, you’ll have a cold plunge, saunas, a steam room and a pool at your disposal!

Of course, there are lots more to see in the city itself. On this guided tour of Budapest, you’ll explore the city’s main landmarks: the Central Market, the Great Synagogue, the National Museum and finally, the Hungarian Parliament—one of the most beautiful government buildings in the world.

• Explore the Budapest Great Market on a food tour.
• Enjoy a guided tour of the Great Synagogue.
• Go on a free walking tour of Buda Castle.
• For an alternative to Géllert, check out these Szechenya Spa tickets.

This creates a convenient and beautiful triangle consisting of Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, making it an ideal starting point to explore three must-see cities along the Danube River using the efficient rail network.

• See more tours & experiences in Budapest.

9. Zagreb

Our next stop is the capital city of Croatia: Zagreb. Discover the magic of this city on this Zagreb free tour, which will bring you through the charming Old Town, and past Lotrščak Tower and St. Mark’s Church. As you walk through the city’s streets, you’ll constantly come across remnants of former Yugoslavia, and of its disintegration. If that’s especially appealing to you, check out this Croatian War of Independence tour in Zagreb, which includes a visit to the underground tunnels which remain from the Second World War.

If you have a few days in the city and want to experience Croatia’s incredible landscape, consider this day trip to Zagreb’s Zrinjevac Park—home to some of the most breathtaking, magical scenery, which alone will make this stop in Zagreb worthwhile.

• See more tours & experiences in Zagreb.

10. Ljubljana & Lake Bled

Just a short ride from Zagreb, the final entry on our list is the city of Ljubljana, from which Lake Bled is easily accessible. Before you make your way to the gorgeous Lake Bled, be sure to check out the city on this Ljubljana free tour. You’ll be taken aback by the charm and history of Ljubljana as you wander the streets, with the famous Ljubljana Castle and Tivoli Park.

Once you’ve discovered Ljubljana, make your way to Lake Bled, around 90 minutes from the city by bus. Though it’s quite busy during high season, the trip is totally worth it—the bright blue lake, surrounded by brilliant mountains is absolutely breathtaking. On this Bled day trip from Ljubljana, you’ll enjoy a quick transfer to Bled, and also enjoy a serene boat ride, and a guided visit of the castle!

• See more tours & experiences in Ljubljana.

Well, those are our top 10 best places to go Interrailing. No matter where you end up going, you’re sure to have a great time. That said, following this route is a surefire way to have a seamless and enjoyable journey across Europe. If you’re still looking for inspiration for your itinerary, check out more tours & experiences with Civitatis! Bon voyage!