Travel
Where are the world’s most beautiful railway bridges? Engineering marvels become big tourist hits
These amazing feats of engineering allow trains to navigate the steepest valleys and cross the deepest rivers.
We’ve got a serious weakness for spectacular railway bridges. Nothing beats rumbling across valleys and rivers while soaking up views of the gorgeous landscapes unfolding below.
And they’re no longer simply feats of engineering – they’re landmarks that put destinations on the map and visual reminders of the evolution of civil engineering.
This year, one of the most striking in Europe, Scotland’s Forth Bridge, is marking 10 years since it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status – one of just a few railway bridges to receive the accolade. What’s more, this month it celebrates its 135th anniversary.
This iconic cantilever railway bridge located across the Firth of Forth, is such a part of Scotland’s pride and cultural heritage that you’ll find it illustrated on some Scottish banknotes.
How have railway bridges changed over time?
Just like railways themselves, bridges don’t look the same as they did a century ago.
“Railway bridges have evolved significantly over the past 100 years,” says Professor Luke Prendergast, an expert in civil engineering (and bridges specifically) at the University of Nottingham. “In the past, masonry arch-type bridges were common,” he adds.
“These heavy stone structures looked beautiful but eventually gave way to steel bridges with truss systems.”
But don’t make the mistake of assuming metal bridges can’t be works of art, too.
“Steel allowed longer spans to be created,” points out Professor Prendergast.
“The newest bridges tend to be made from reinforced concrete and other composite materials, but all of these structures can be aesthetically pleasing, and it’s a matter of personal opinion when it comes to whether the original masonry style is easier on the eye!”
Don’t look down: Where are the world’s highest railway bridges?
While the newest skyscrapers are often the tallest, the same doesn’t apply to railway bridges. Montenegro’s Mala Rijeka Viaduct became the world’s highest railway bridge when it opened in 1973.
That title has now been taken by a newer bridge in Guizhou, China.
But the Mala Rijeka Viaduct’s stats are still impressive – at its highest point, the 499-metre-long bridge hovers 200 metres above the river below. Unsurprisingly, a structure of this size needs some serious support, and the largest pillar rests on a base that is the same size as a tennis court.
Southern France’s Viaur Viaduct might not have the height of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct, but it’s no less impressive. The beautiful steel structure was built in 1902.
Famous for its elegant design and soaring arches, its longest span measures 220 metres. Architect Paul Bodin achieved its graceful look by embracing a new technique known as balanced arches, which allowed less metal to be used, and relied on a counterbalancing technique rather than extra materials to provide strength.
The bridge, which is 116 metres above the Viaur River Valley at its highest point, was truly a labour of love, made with 3,800 tonnes of metal and held together with 160 tonnes of steel rivets, all of which had to be tightened by hand.
Miracles of masonry in France and England
Bridges don’t get more beautiful than the Chamborigaud Viaduct – a 29-arch, 384-metre-long bridge built in the late 1800s by architect Charles Dombre for the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean Railway Company.
A masonry bridge that made the Cévennes region – with its deep valleys and soaring hills – much more accessible, the viaduct was designated a historical monument by the French government in 1984.
Another masonry marvel is northern England’s Whalley Viaduct, built to carry the Blackburn to Clitheroe railway line across the River Calder Valley. Unveiled in 1850, it was made with six million bricks and has 48 arches.
This towering structure has often been compared to a cathedral or monastery. It’s suspected this was intentional. The viaduct is close to Whalley Abbey, which dates back to the 1200s, and Terence Woulfe Flanagan, the engineer behind the bridge, was inspired by the abbey’s ecclesiastical design.
Another majestic work of masonry is the Ouse Valley Viaduct in Sussex, England. When it was constructed in the 1840s, it was well ahead of its time. The 37-arch railway bridge relies on architectural features known as jack arches to reduce the number of bricks required.
Its slimline structure is considered one of England’s most elegant railway bridges and is famous for its varying hues, courtesy of its rust-red bricks (11 million, to be precise) and creamy limestone sourced from Normandy.
Build it and they will come: Famous bridges become tourist attractions
Some of Europe’s most beautiful bridges are now destinations in their own right. One of the finest examples is Scotland’s Glenfinnan Viaduct, which had a starring role in the Harry Potter movies.
Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, an expert on masonry bridges at the University of Leeds’ civil engineering department, is a huge fan and points out that it’s not just its elegant design that sets it apart.
“Glenfinnan Viaduct was constructed more than 100 years ago and it’s still one of the largest bridges in Scotland,” says Professor Sarhosis.
“It was constructed using mass concrete – which means that it doesn’t contain any metal reinforcement, unlike most modern railway bridges today.”
One of the Victorian era’s most spectacular feats of engineering, this 21-arch bridge, which features on certain Scottish banknotes, has a length of 380 metres. The best views are from the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. It is the starting point for a series of footpaths lined with observation points for those keen to admire this engineering marvel.
Scotland’s aforementioned UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge is another such marvel, located on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It’s been featured in British film classics including The 39 Steps and Carry on Regardless – and in an episode of The Simpsons last year.
Unveiled in 1890, this cantilever-trussed bridge was made with 54,000 tonnes of steel and is famous for its rust-red hue. Today, its colour is down to the use of bespoke red paint created to emulate the original red oxide colouration of the bridge when it first opened.
Another magnet for fans of railway bridges is Switzerland’s Landwasser Viaduct, the most famous spot on the UNESCO-listed Albula Mountain Railway. When the bridge was built in the early 1900s, construction was carried out without scaffolding. Engineers were grateful for the easy access to materials as it was made with limestone hacked from the Dolomite Mountains through which the railway passes.
It’s relatively short compared to the other railway bridges we’ve listed here – it features six arches and is just 142 metres long. Its tight curve and the way one end simply disappears into a mountain – which was nearly impossible to navigate prior to the bridge’s construction – make it unique.
Equally striking is the Sittertal Valley’s Sitter Viaduct, built in 1910 and the highest standard-gauge railway bridge in Switzerland. Famous for its so-called fish-belly central truss (an unsupported central section that relies on strength provided by curving girders beneath the bridge), it championed innovative construction techniques and was hailed as an engineering marvel worldwide.
Further proof that bridges can be attractions in their own right is the Luís I Bridge in Porto, Portugal. One of the world’s most ornate railway bridges, it features stonework adorned with Portugal’s coat of arms. On the upper deck, lamps bathe the bridge with golden light after sunset.
Gustave Eiffel, the genius behind the Eiffel Tower, came close to being its designer, although his plans were eventually rejected and the project was placed in the hands of German engineer Théophile Seyrig, instead.
An innovative bridge to a car-free ski resort
Finally, a look ahead, more specifically, at one of the world’s most innovative railway bridges.
You’ll find the Swiss Alps’ Stoos funicular railway bridge on a funicular railway that connects Schwyz with the car-free ski resort of Stoos. It is the steepest funicular in the world.
Passengers on this mountain railway – which has trains resembling sleek glass orbs – pass through three tunnels and two bridges. The most spectacular bridge is the one spanning the Muota River. While it’s probably not for the traditionalists, it’s still very much worthy of inclusion in our tribute to the world’s most beautiful railway bridges.
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The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.
Starting 2 April 2025, all EU (except Irish nationals), EEA, and Swiss citizens need ETA approval to enter the UK.
The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
To obtain the visa waiver, which costs £10 (€12) from today or £16 (€19) from 9 April, travellers need to complete an online process – but some British citizens with dual nationality are already flagging issues.
How to apply for the UK’s ETA visa waiver
Travellers can either use the official mobile app, which can be downloaded from the UK government website, or apply online here.
To complete the application, you need the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.
The government advises applying at least three working days before your trip.
You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.
Though it seems pretty simple, the application process has left a handful of British dual nationals confused about whether they need to apply for the visa waiver or not.
ETA application issues for British dual nationals
In theory, British citizens with dual nationality do not need ETA and should be able to travel to the UK on whatever passport they choose.
But confusion has arisen for those who don’t have a British passport because theirs is expired, lost, or they were never issued with one.
If they choose to travel on their EU passport, the process of applying for ETA – and whether it is necessary – remains unclear.
The ETA application form asks travellers to declare any other nationalities, but the drop-down menu does not give the option to select ‘British citizen’.
Should British dual nationals continue with their application without declaring their ‘secondary’ nationality, they would theoretically be forced to give misinformation about their dual nationality.
Euronews Travel posed the question to an ETA advisor from the Home Office on their web chat.
The advisor refused to give guidance about not declaring British nationality on the ETA form. They stated that if you are a dual citizen with British/Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA.
However, “you prove your permission to travel using your valid British/Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK.”
When asked what to do if the traveller is not in possession of any of these documents, the advisor responded, “You either need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement”.
Renewing a UK passport from overseas costs £101 (€123), while a certificate of entitlement comes with a £550 (€658) fee. Both application processes take several weeks.
Euronews Travel has reached out to the Home Office for official guidance.
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Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik.
A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday as tourists at the nearby Blue Lagoon and residents of local communities were evacuated.
Flames and smoke shot through the air as a fissure opened near the town of Grindavík, about 50 kilometres southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, where roughly 40 homes have been evacuated, according to national broadcaster RUV.
Residents mostly vacated the community, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in 2023 when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years.
A swarm of small earthquakes began at around 6:30am local time on 1 April, similar to previous eruptions. The eruption just north of the protective barrier near Grindavík then began at 9:45am, according to Iceland’s Met Office (IMO).
Warning sirens started to sound when the orange-red fissure reached the town’s defence walls at around 10am. IMO has said that the fissure is now around 700 metres long, and “it cannot be ruled out that it may continue to open further south.”
Iceland sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic and, on average, sees one eruption every four to five years.
Experts have warned that volcanic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula has entered a new era, with the frequency of eruptions having surged. This is the 11th such event to have occurred since 2021, when this new eruption period began.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon closed until further notice
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions. Authorities evacuated guests from the geothermal spa, moving them to nearby hotels when it became clear an eruption was imminent.
It will remain closed through 1 April, and the situation will be assessed later on, according to a message posted on the Blue Lagoon’s website. All guests with bookings during this temporary closure will be contacted.
A ‘red alert’ has been issued for the town of Grindavík, and the area around it is closed off. It will remain closed until further notice.
Travellers have been asked to respect the closures and instructions from local authorities and to stay away while conditions are being assessed, according to Safe Travel Iceland.
During previous eruptions, tourists and locals keen to see the majestic event first-hand have been repeatedly warned to stay away from Reykjanes.
Though it is yet to be updated for the most recent eruption, the UK’s FCDO says eruptions and earthquakes are common in Iceland due to the country’s nature geography.
“In the event of an eruption or wider seismic activity follow the latest advice issued by the authorities,” it says. It adds that travellers should regularly check for alerts and advice from the Icelandic Tourism Board, Icelandic Met Office, Safe Travel Iceland and the Almannavarnir Facebook Page.
The effects of the eruption are currently localised and have not caused any problems for the nearby Keflavík airport- Iceland’s main international airport.
Though ash clouds from previous volcanic eruptions in Iceland have had disrupted international air travel, this one is not expected to do so.
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Travel
What is the ETA? European travellers need €12 entry permit to visit the UK starting this week
Read our full guide to the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): who needs it, how long it’s valid and how to apply.
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.
Starting 2 April 2025, all European visitors will need ETA approval – or, for some non-EU nationals, a visa – to enter the UK.
The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Read on for details on cost, validity and how to get it.
What is the ETA?
The ETA replaces the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme, offering a lower cost option with multi-entry validity.
The UK government notes that it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK. Rather, it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
The ETA is now required for all eligible nationalities. You can find the full list of countries here.
How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?
Most visitors will be able to apply using a mobile app and can expect a decision emailed within three days.
Everyone travelling needs to apply, including babies and children, but you can apply for other people.
The UK government says its app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for an ETA. You can download the ETA app from the UK government website.
If you cannot download the app, you can also apply online here.
To complete the application, make sure you have on hand the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.
You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.
When to apply for your ETA
The government says: “You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.”
Considering most applicants will get a decision within three days, it can be assumed you should apply at least three ahead of travelling to the UK, though you can do it much further in advance.
How much does the UK ETA cost?
Like the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the US, a fee is attached to the application process.
The ETA costs £10 (approximately €12 at the time of writing), rising to £16 (€19) on 9 April 2025.
How long is the ETA valid?
An ETA lasts for two years. You do not need to apply again during this time.
You can travel to the UK as many times as you want during the period of validity, but you cannot stay for longer than six months on one trip. Check the UK government website for more details on what you can and cannot do on an ETA.
Note that you will need to apply for a new ETA if you get a new passport, as your ETA is linked to it.
Will I need a visa to enter the UK?
As mentioned above, the ETA isn’t a visa, but it does grant permission to enter the country.
All visitors who don’t currently require a visa will need to get an ETA before they travel. This includes those who do not currently need to submit any form of application to visit the UK. US, Canadian, Australian and European citizens need an ETA even for short stays or transiting through the UK, for example.
Travellers from countries that don’t have visa-free entry agreements with the UK will still have to apply for the correct visa and an ETA.
If you don’t apply before your trip, the government says you could be fined, though no further details have been given about this.
You still need to apply if you are transiting through the UK – even if you aren’t going through border control.
The ETA allows you to come to the UK for six months for tourism, visits to family and friends, business or short term study.
You can also get an ETA instead of a visa if you are coming to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession or coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. Outside of these conditions, you can’t use an ETA to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens, people who already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport and people who live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man don’t need to apply for an ETA.
Why is the UK introducing the ETA scheme?
The ETA is part of the UK’s plan to digitise its borders at UK airports by the end of 2025.
The scheme is intended to reduce queues at the border, “helping to speed up legitimate journeys to the UK”.
Facial recognition technology could be used to make these “contactless corridors” possible, British newspaper The Times reports. It would require international travellers to submit biographic and biometric details, like photos of their faces through the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme before they fly.
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