Art, architecture and culture beneath the streets
To some, a metro line is functional, a speedy, reliable, and affordable means to get from one place to the next. In Europe, the metro can be so much more than a transit system. Instead, it’s an experience of architecture, design, and art. When you choose the metro over a taxi or rental car, it’s not just about beating the traffic or saving some cash, it’s truly an unexpected upgrade. Here are four cities where the metro transforms your journey into an immersive and cultural exploration.
Solna Centrum in Stockholm
Stockholm’s metro system is often called the world’s longest art gallery. Artists and designers have transformed over 90 stations throughout the system into immersive installations. One of the most beloved examples is at Solna Centrum, just fifteen minutes from the capital’s central station. Solna’s interior design is certainly striking, with its deep red vaulted ceilings that represent skies and green walls that represent forests . Yet what’s distinct about it is its political symbolism which powerfully engages with threats against the environment.
Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet in Warsaw
Metro construction has been on a tear in Warsaw over the last decade, with new stations—and new lines!—popping up seemingly all over the Polish capital. City leaders have, in several cases, allowed the country’s most visionary designers to bring creativity and charm to the new transport system. One of the best examples of this is Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet, a station serving several main intersections including Świętokrzyska and Nowy Świat as well as the main campus of the University of Warsaw. Most attractive is its interior, a mix of curved metallic walls and deep purple glow, all carried out with a modern, minimalist approach.
Prague’s subterranean heritage
In Prague, the metro system is so much more than just a way to get from A to B, it’s a backstage pass to the city’s substantial design heritage. Start with Malostranská, where green and gold panels mirror the Baroque gardens growing nearby, above ground. Hop on a metro car to Staroměstská, where rich reds recall the city’s revolutionary past and beating heart of activism. Last, make sure not to miss Náměstí Míru, where cool blue hues evoke peace at one of the deepest stations anywhere in Europe. Each metro stop unlocks a hidden story, offering you a front-row seat to Prague’s history, culture and heritage.
Toledo station in Naples
Frequently described as Europe’s most beautiful metro station, Toledo is truly a masterwork of public art. Its blue mosaics and cascading light installations create the sensation of diving into the ocean, making the station feel like a deep-sea dreamscape. Riding Line 1 and stopping at Toledo isn’t a commute or a journey, it’s a sensory experience.
