Usually, public transportation systems are just the means of getting you to your vacation destination. But what if the public transportation system—a subway, or even perhaps just the station—was the destination? These three transit stations around the world aren’t just getting you from point A to point B (although they do that, too). In fact, they’re even worth putting on your bucket list.
1. T Centralen—Stockholm, Sweden
Ranking No. 1 on Matador Network’s list of “The Best Subway Stations Around the World,” the T Centralen features soothing white and blue detailed wreath paintings on the ceiling. Plus, if you’re in the area to check out T Centralen, you’ll also be close enough to see the Radhuset subway system, too. Radhuset has a cave-like interior, with glowing red-orange ceilings and walls. You might even forget that you’re in a metro station, not an art gallery.
2. Bus stops—Krumbach, Austria
From the outside, you wouldn’t know that many of Krumbach’s bus stops were bus stops at all. In fact, many of them have architecture usually only found in museums. Created by multiple architects in the area, who teamed up with the Austrian state, the bus stops serve as shelter with an artistic flair. Photo op, anyone?
3. Toledo Metro station—Naples, Italy
These metro stations are part of an art program, with artists and designers such as Alessandro Mendini and Karim Rashid participating. The 13th Art Station, especially, is worth checking out. Craving a bit of star-gazing minus the mosquitoes? The pixelated blues and purples covering the ceilings and walls of this station look like a futuristic galaxy. As a bonus, it’s connected to the main shopping streets of Naples, making it a “double destination.”
Artists and architects from around the world are questioning the idea that transportation is only functional. In fact, these three transit stations in Italy, Sweden, and Austria are worth seeing even if you don’t plan on taking public transportation during your stay.
Photo: The Toledo Metro station in Naples, Italy. Credit: esherez / Shutterstock.com