Not all airports were created equal. While some boast incredible locations and otherworldly views from your plane seat, others have outstanding facilities inside – from dedicated sleep pods to hairdressers. Others still have scooped awards for their architecture, punctuality, customer satisfaction and environmental credentials. And for families, some airports are so child-friendly that your little ones will need to be dragged away from dedicated play areas.
We’ve scoured Europe to come up with our very own list of the best places to fly from and to and ranked them according to our well-travelled team's opinion.
Read on to discover the 20 best airports in Europe…
It may be small, with just 11 destinations, but Inverness Airport (pictured above) is definitely mighty. In fact, it’s so good that it’s repeatedly been named the best airport in Europe. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the airport swept up at the prestigious Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, for the fourth consecutive year in 2023. The accolade recognises its efforts to reduce passenger waiting time and its commitment to environmental awareness.
You’d want a window seat on any flight landing at, or taking off from, the Greek island of Skiathos. The views above this runway are incredible – forested hills, exquisite sandy white beaches and the glittering Aegean Sea await below on your approach. The views are so spectacular that Skiathos has been named one of the world’s most scenic airports by private jet booking platform PrivateFly. Voters said: “the feeling that you can touch the sea seconds before landing is fascinating.”
18th: Innsbruck Airport, Austria
Landing at Innsbruck Airport can be a magical experience. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the Inn River and traditional Tyrolean houses, there’s the excitement of a ski or mountain adventure ahead. The airport’s deep valley location, paired with the Alps’ winds and currents, makes for a notoriously tricky approach, so pilots need to have special training to land here. As well as the panoramic mountain views and proximity to many of Austria’s best ski resorts, the airport offers guided tours where you can learn about everything from the airport’s history to baggage loading.
The clue’s in the name with this one. Located less than nine miles (14km) from Charing Cross, London City is super convenient for easy access to central London. It’s much closer than Heathrow (around 15 miles/24km) and Gatwick (almost 40 miles/64km). It’s quick and affordable to reach on the Docklands Light Railway and, once there, you can fly to 33 destinations nonstop. Another perk is London City’s next-generation scanners, which allow you to pass through security without removing laptops and liquids from your hand luggage.
16th: Frankfurt Airport, Germany
This modern airport is one of the busiest transit hubs in the world, and the main HQ for the German airline, Lufthansa. With four runways and two passenger terminals, it can handle up to 65 million passengers per year. A stint here could feel like something out of a sci-fi film, with futuristic design and pioneering technology like facial recognition, which is used in both terminals. Operating biometrics at the airport is contactless and intended to be more convenient than using traditional passports and boarding passes.
Keeping the kids entertained while waiting for your flight can be a tall order – which is why we love the child-friendly touches at Brussels Airport. They include an interactive wall game themed around The Smurfs. Pint-sized passengers can ride bikes, scooters and even hop into an aeroplane as part of the fun experience – the perfect way to burn off some energy before the flight. Brussels Airport also has some impressive sustainable aims, including the Shift2027 programme, which aims to make the airport Net Zero Carbon by 2030 at the latest.
14th: Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Spain
Barcelona’s international airport has a fascinating history. Inaugurated as a military base for the Spanish Army in 1916, it wasn’t until 1927 that it became a commercial airport. During the Spanish Civil War, it was again used as a military aerodrome thanks to its strategic position. Today, this location (just eight miles/13km from the city centre) makes it convenient for passengers, while sustainable touches include solar panels. There’s also contemporary art on display, including a ceramics mural by Joan Miró on the façade of Terminal 2.
Donegal Airport is officially one of the most beautiful airports. It has been named numerous times as the airport with the most scenic landing strip by private jet booking platform PrivateFly. The airstrip at Carrickfinn in the northwest of Ireland has dramatic surroundings, with spectacular views of the Atlantic coastline and Mount Errigal standing tall in the background. Voters said: "From the smattering of clouds, the Wild Atlantic Way appears like an oasis. Beautiful clear blue waters and the clearest sand you've ever seen."
12th: Oslo Airport, Norway
Norway’s capital has loads going for it – superb outdoor activities, fascinating Viking history and three versions of Edvard Munch’s famous The Scream artwork, to name a few. And if you’re travelling in and out of the country’s main airport, there’s another perk – you’re more likely to arrive and leave on time. Oslo Airport has won multiple awards for punctuality from ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards. It was the continent’s most punctual airport in 2022 and 2023, using an innovative baggage system, drone detection and autonomous snow removal.
Another airport with an impressive track record for timekeeping is Malta International Airport (MIA). The island has just one airport, connecting to 107 destinations via 26 airlines. So it’s remarkable that it emerged as the most punctual European airport, according to research by global travel data provider OAG, BestBrokers. It boasted just 9% delayed flights and only 0.41% cancellations in 2023 – equivalent to 90.59% of on-time departures. MIA has also won accolades for service quality within its size category by Airports Council International.
10th: Copenhagen Kastrup International Airport, Denmark
Whatever you need during a stopover, you’re bound to find it at Copenhagen Airport. From massage chairs to children’s play areas, quiet zones to sound experiences, this airport ticks multiple boxes. It’s also quick and easy to reach downtown thanks to an affordable metro service from Terminal 3 – you can be at the Little Mermaid statue in under an hour. The Danish airport has also scooped numerous accolades in recent years, including being named Northern Europe’s best airport and an award for having the world’s best security processing.
Helsinki’s international airport is eye-catching. So much so that it has previously been selected as one of the world’s most beautiful airports. As well as considering local, natural and cultural heritage, the Prix Versailles 2023 architecture and design competition looked at the airport’s eco-friendliness. The departure hall has a stunning wooden ceiling made of Finnish spruce, while the arrivals hall features a nature diorama called Luoto, pictured. The airport also features an art gallery, aviation museum and scenic terrace.
8th: Athens International Airport, Greece
In 2017, Athens International Airport had a major makeover. The result is a building that’s both easy on the eye and easy to navigate. The layout is now streamlined, so you can spend less time on checking in and getting through security, and enjoy more time for shopping, dining and unwinding. The airport, which offers flights to 55 countries, also has everything from baggage storage to archaeological artefact exhibitions. Little wonder it was ranked third best European airport by Holidu, based on Google reviews.
You can bide your time quite happily at Amsterdam’s international airport. It’s home to the Rijksmuseum, which became the first art museum to open a branch at an airport in 2002. Passengers can visit free of charge, 24 hours a day, and take in the selection of famous 19th century Dutch paintings and exhibitions before or after a flight. There’s also a Panorama Terrace for taking in the views or sitting down for a meal in the restaurant while surveying the runways.
6th: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto has been named the second-best airport in Europe by Holidu, based on data from Google Maps and thousands of reviews and ratings. The airport, which was narrowly pipped to the top spot by Istanbul, was highlighted as offering exceptional experiences. These include passengers having biometric data scanned instead of a physical boarding pass – making for a paperless and contactless journey. The airport also has a slick design, with skylights in the main terminal roof and glass walls overlooking runways.
A great option for families travelling by plane, Berlin’s international airport has a whole host of child-friendly features, including an entire playground and a special TV corner dedicated to kids. The airport has also been named Europe’s best by Eurochange, winning big on factors such as punctuality and speed at security checks. According to the study, Brandenburg’s average security wait time is just seven minutes, while an impressive 80% of flights departed on time.
4th: London Heathrow Airport, England
Welcoming over 82 million passengers a year, London Heathrow is Europe’s largest airport. It has won numerous awards for its connectivity (you can fly to over 230 destinations in nearly 90 countries), efficient operation and extensive amenities. It even cliched 21st position in the 2024 World Airport Awards – beating the likes of Los Angeles, Toronto and Sydney. Terminal 5 has beautiful views of the countryside and Windsor Castle and there’s even a chapel in the airport.
Zurich is an international airport with a difference. After all, it’s not every airport that hires out inline skates and bikes so you get the blood pumping before or after a flight. There’s a 12-mile (20km) track right around the airport, doable in a couple of hours. The airport also offers special tours, including plane spotting photography. Zurich frequently comes up trumps in European rankings thanks to its convenient location, transport links and family-friendly touches such as play rooms.
2nd: Munich International Airport, Germany
Fancy a little sleep while you wait for your connecting flight? You’re in the right place at Munich International Airport, which has high-tech sleeping cabins called NapCabs. These sleeping pods come with a separate working area and free internet access, doubling up as a quiet spot for uninterrupted work. The airport, which is beautiful and luxurious inside, also has a family-friendly adventure playground, interactive exhibits and Germany’s first golf course at an airport. Just don’t forget to catch that flight…
Topping our rankings is Istanbul Airport. Although it’s only been operating for six years, it is the world’s most connected airport, offering flights to 315 destinations and servicing nearly 90 million passengers yearly (as of January 2024). The mega-hub is a great place to wait for your flight, with 181 shops, 98 restaurants, a museum and bucket loads of spa treatments on offer. Our favourite bit? The airport has its very own therapy dogs to help ease the nerves of anxious travellers pre-takeoff.
Liked this? Click on the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING