10 Beautiful Eurostar Destinations That Aren’t Paris

When it comes to Eurostar destinations, most people think of Paris first. Paris is a wonderful place to visit, but there are plenty of other destinations reachable by Eurostar that are just as worth your time.

In this guide, I’ll share my favourite Eurostar destinations from the UK. Some you can reach directly, while others need a quick change of train along the way, so I’ve grouped them accordingly to make planning easier.

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👀 At a glance

🗺️ Map of the best Eurostar destinations

Use my map below to see exactly where each of these Eurostar destinations is located.

🇬🇧 Best Eurostar destinations directly from London

There aren’t many, but these are some of the best cities you can reach directly from London on the Eurostar.

1. Rotterdam

I’d definitely recommend visiting Rotterdam for a mix of modern flair and impressive innovation.

The city may not be as famous as Amsterdam, but its maritime history is worth a look, and it’s home to the largest port in Europe, making a boat tour around its harbour a must.

You can also walk down the Erasmusbrug Bridge or head up the Euromast observation tower. There’s plenty of striking architecture to see in Rotterdam too, and it’s one of my favourite day trips from Amsterdam.

2. Amsterdam

3. Lille

In just over an hour, you can be in Lille, and I really think this city is one of France’s most underrated. It feels somewhat like a city of contrasts, from the vibrant, colourful buildings of the Old Town to the contemporary marvels of the Euralille district.

The city has plenty to offer visitors, including the Général de Gaulle Square, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, and La Vieille Bourse.

If you want to immerse yourself in the city’s history, walk down Old Lille, where 17th-century stone houses and beautiful buildings await.

👉 Discover more of the most affordable European city breaks.

🚆 Best Eurostar destinations with a change of train

There are many more cities you can reach if you’re willing to change trains halfway through the journey.

4. Bruges

I absolutely adore Bruges; it feels very much like a real-life fairytale, and the city is small enough to explore entirely on foot. Belgium’s history, waffles, chocolate and beautiful architecture make it well worth the change of train.

There are various beautiful churches to discover, including the iconic Church of Our Lady, home to the Madonna of Bruges, Michelangelo’s only sculpture known to have left Italy during his lifetime.

The trip via Eurostar takes about three and a half hours and stops in Brussels, where I’d recommend spending a couple of nights too if you have the time.

If you’re planning a trip, check out my guides before you go:

• 20 amazing things to do in Bruges
• 15 gorgeous luxury hotels in Bruges
• 15 Michelin-star restaurants in Bruges
• Brussels or Bruges: which city to visit?

5. Ghent

Instead of switching to Bruges from Brussels, why not try Ghent? I’d recommend doing all three if you can, since they’re so well-connected by train.

Ghent is another fairytale city in Belgium, known for the Gravensteen, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and Saint Nicholas’ Church. All are centuries old and packed with history and architectural beauty.

I’d also recommend a boat cruise through the city for a fun way to see the sights.

6. Cologne

By hopping on a train from London and switching in Brussels, you can be in lively Cologne within about four hours.

Its most famous attraction is the monumental Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that took over 600 years to complete, with construction starting in 1248 and only finishing in 1880.

I’d also suggest visiting the Flora and Botanical Garden, where you can explore tropical greenhouses and beautifully designed gardens.

Don’t forget to try the traditional German meal of sauerkraut and sausages. For beer lovers, I’d recommend a brewery tour and tasting.

7. Bordeaux

This Eurostar destination has a longer journey time of around six hours, but it’s worth it once you’re basking under the French sun. Bordeaux sprawls around the Garonne River, offering stunning views, world-renowned vineyards, and a rich cultural heritage.

This is definitely one for the wine lovers among you, and you simply can’t visit Bordeaux without trying the local wine. I’d recommend taking a trip to Saint-Émilion for a wine tasting. 

It’’s well worth reading about why the vineyards of Bordeaux are under threat from climate change while you plan your visit.

8. Strasbourg

Close to the border with Germany is another of my favourite Eurostar destinations. The fastest route takes about five hours and requires a switch from Paris Gare du Nord to the Gare de l’Est, before continuing on to Strasbourg.

Once there, I’d recommend heading straight to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, a striking structure blending Romanesque and Gothic features.

You can also walk down La Petite France to see well-preserved, half-timbered homes, cobbled streets and canals, once home to the district’s tanners, millers and fishermen.

It’s a beautiful region, and I’d suggest booking a historical day trip of Alsace while you’re there.

9. Aix-En-Provence

The journey to the south of France is a little long, but Aix-en-Provence is one of my favourite destinations in Europe, so I know it’s worth the trip.

Often called the “City of a Thousand Fountains,” it’s perhaps best known for its gorgeous lavender fields, which usually bloom from the last week of June to the beginning of August, so plan your timing carefully if that’s the draw.

This charming city is also the birthplace of the painter Paul Cézanne, and you can visit his studio to see where he created some of his masterpieces. 

Don’t miss the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, which blends Romanesque and Gothic architecture built up across several centuries. If you’re partial to a pale rosé like I am, you’ll feel right at home in Provence.

10. Nice

The last, but certainly not least, city on my list is Nice. It’s still worth emphasising how magnificent this city and its beaches are, with the sun always shining, the streets full of colour, and the Mediterranean cool and inviting.

You’ve also got the Place Masséna, Vieille Ville, and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for your cultural fix. The one drawback is the journey length, so I’d recommend tying it into a wider holiday on the French Riviera to make the most of it.

If you’re planning a trip to the region, have a read of my guides before you go:

• 18 luxury hotels in Nice
• 10 Michelin star restaurants in Nice
• 15 fun things to do in Nice
• 15 amazing day trips from Nice
• Nice or Cannes: which city to visit?

🧳 Combining destinations

Several of these cities pair naturally, since they share the same change-over point along the way.

🇧🇪 Belgium double-up: Combine Bruges and Ghent, both easily reached via Brussels, and consider spending a night in Brussels itself while you’re between the two.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Rotterdam and Amsterdam sit on the same direct line, so it’s easy to visit both on one trip, perhaps basing yourself in Amsterdam and taking a day trip down to Rotterdam.

🇫🇷 The south of France: Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence and Nice are all long journeys from London. So if you’re travelling that far, it’s worth combining one of them with a wider trip through the south of France rather than treating it as a single city break.

🚇 FAQs

Can I get a direct Eurostar to Amsterdam?

Yes, Eurostar runs a direct service from London to Amsterdam via Rotterdam, taking around four hours, with no need to change trains.

Will Eurostar ever go direct to Switzerland or Germany?

Eurostar signed an agreement in February 2026 paving the way for direct trains from London to Geneva and Frankfurt, and this would bring Switzerland onto the network for the first time. 

These routes are not expected to launch until the early 2030s, once a new fleet of trains is in service.

Do I need to change stations in Paris for onward connections?

For destinations like Strasbourg, yes. Eurostar arrives into Paris Gare du Nord, and you’ll need to make your own way to Gare de l’Est to pick up your connecting train, so build in a little extra time.

Is Eurostar a good alternative to flying?

For most of these destinations, yes. Eurostar’s direct routes and its Brussels and Paris connections are usually more relaxing than flying, with city-centre stations at both ends and no lengthy airport transfers.

Does a Eurostar trip count against my Schengen 90-day allowance?

Yes. Passport checks happen before you board at St Pancras rather than on arrival, so it can feel more like catching a train than crossing a border, but every one of these destinations except London itself is in the Schengen Area.

Time spent in Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam or anywhere else on this list counts fully towards the 90 days in any 180-day period that US visitors get across the whole Schengen zone.

👉 Continue planning your trip

Some of these trips suit a long weekend, like Lille or Rotterdam, while others, such as Nice or Aix-en-Provence, are worth building into a longer holiday given how far they are. 

Either way, the Eurostar makes reaching them far more relaxing than flying, with none of the usual airport hassle at either end.

If you’re travelling on to explore more of the continent once you’re across the Channel, you might also enjoy my guides to 10 epic road trips in Europe and 12 charming medieval towns in France.