The 12 Most Scenic Airports in Europe That Are Practically Tourist Attractions Themselves

What makes an airport great? When traveling by air, stress levels can rise as high as any airplane’s cruising altitude. Delays, cancellations, luggage constraints, security, and even a fear of flying can make air travel the least favorite part of any trip. That means most travelers expect efficiency and near-intuitive ease in an airport. They want to get from point A to point B as quickly (and painlessly) as possible.

But what if the airport could be just as much a destination as it is part of the journey? For the traveler with a bit more resources and a willingness to stop and smell the roses, an airport can be great for its scenic location or for its own architectural impressiveness. Read on to learn about scenic airports in Europe, which are tourist attractions as much as a leg of the trip.

1. Innsbruck Airport, Austria

The Innsbruck Airport, also known as Kranebitten Airport by locals, is the largest airport in western Austria. Only a couple of miles from the city of Innsbruck, the airport could be characterized by its drama. Passengers will land at the foot of the Alps, receiving a front-row seat to the stunning mountains jutting up around the runway. Because it’s nestled in the Alps, the airport is known for its challenging approaches and descents.

High winds complicate the process of maneuvering aircraft, and the terrain impacts the size of the airplane. The Boeing 767 (a plane measuring about 159 feet long) is the largest plane that can navigate the airport’s setting. Not only must the aircraft fit certain parameters but so must the pilots and crew. The Innsbruck Airport is considered a Category C airport, meaning that pilots flying in or out need to have passed special training and simulator courses.

2. Nice Airport, France

Nice Airport is only about five miles from the city it’s named after, which is known for its breathtaking beaches, its promenade, and its quintessential Old Europe feel. That means any traveler is sure to take in the scenery as soon as they step out of the terminal. The runway stretches out from the coast, giving passengers a clear view of the glittering waters of the Mediterranean Sea — a preview of a stroll along the seaside.

The international airport is the third busiest in France and many of the major airlines — including Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa — fly in and out of the hub that serves over 100 destinations, including Monaco.

Despite the hustle and bustle travelers may feel in the airport, there are many transportation options from the terminal to the principality of Nice Cote D’Azur that will get them to a more relaxed destination.

3. Scilly Isles St. Mary Airport, England

Let’s touch down on the tiny island, the Isles of Scilly, off the southwestern tip of England. This is the next scenic airport on our list: the Scilly Isles St. Mary Airport. The small domestic airport is surrounded by picturesque harbor towns, lush green landscapes, and the salty air of the surrounding Celtic Sea and English Channel. It has the storybook quaintness that a passer-by might hear about in a British pub.

Because of its quaintness, there aren’t any major airlines landing at St. Mary’s. There are only two airline operators: Skybus and Penzance Helicopters. These operators serve passengers traveling between the British islands. To experience the airport, travelers from other countries may need to travel by boat!

4. Megève Airport, France

For another breathtaking view of the Alps, the Megève Airport in the Rhône-Alpes region of France could be just the airport — and destination — to seek out!

Close to the Swiss border, Megève Airport is technically an altiport, an area for aircraft specifically designed for small airplanes and helicopters because of mountainous terrain or the challenging topography of an area. Its location is at an elevation of 4,830 feet, and its runway is only about 1,400 feet long. Compared to the 13,780-foot runway of the major Parisian airport, Charles de Gaulle, it’s easy to see that pilots flying in and out of Megève must be highly skilled!

5. Sylt Airport, Germany

If the mountains are too intimidating to fly into, the Sylt Airport in northern Germany offers flatter terrain. The airport is located north of Hamburg on its island namesake, a long narrow strip of beach communities.

Historically, Sylt was known as a tourist attraction made up of resort towns such as Westerland and Kampen in the early twentieth century. Because of its uniquely narrow shape, its location, and the weather patterns impacting that location, Sylt has been an ever-evolving land mass. Since the 19^th century, there have been many efforts to slow or prevent erosion and conserve its native flora and fauna. So, while Sylt Airport has been around since World War I, its future could look as different as the island, itself!

6. Karlovy Vary Airport, Czech Republic

For the architectural enthusiasts, the Karlovy Vary Airport in the Czech Republic is the place to be! The building looks like it could be a part of an airplane’s engine: its sleek curves are accented by an angled wall with two large circular windows resembling binocular lenses. The building is the structural embodiment of aerodynamics.

Plans and construction for the Karlovy Vary airport first began in the 1920s, and by 1933 the main departure building and other facilities were ready to welcome passengers into its striking design. The traffic coming in and out of the airport continues to grow. In fact, Karlovy Vary Airport hit a record 104,469 passengers in 2013, and it plans to build new facilities to accommodate these larger numbers.

The airport’s design is in stark contrast to the spa town’s ornate style of architecture, the quintessential look of Bohemia. Travelers experience the contrast in design, showing up throughout the city’s cultural and scenic attractions. Venture through rolling hills or cobblestone streets to see the old and historical: Medieval-style castles and the Moser Glass Museum. Otherwise, cruise to the more modern Motorcycle Museum and catch a flick at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Karlovy Vary is a fascinating and scenic destination with a rich, storied history that reveals itself in every building — including the airport!

7. Franjo Tuđman Airport, Croatia

Another Eastern European airport that’s a striking structure is Croatia’s Franjo Tuđman Airport. It’s about six miles from the capital city, Zagreb, and holds the title of the largest and busiest international airport in the country.

Croatia’s aviation history began in the early 1900s, but the structure travelers see today was completed in 2017. Franjo Tuđman Airport’s most striking feature is the curving roof line of the main passenger terminal. Driving up to the airport, the waving outline looks as though it’s billowing in a great gust of wind. According to Airport Technology, the dramatic-looking terminal is made in part of an aluminum shield, giving it a brilliant shimmer. The new and improved infrastructure and design are meant to attract tourism, so any traveler visiting Croatia will see a landmark as soon as they spot the Franjo Tuđman Airport.

8. Donegal Airport, Ireland

If modern isn’t the preferred style, travelers step back in history when they arrive at the Donegal Airport in Ireland. The small, regional airport serves County Donegal, a northwestern region. It’s known for its natural, coastal beauty, castles dating back to the 15^th century, and even the Neolithic (or New Stone Age era) portal tomb at Kilcooney More.

To touch down at Donegal Airport might mean traveling with Dubliners looking to vacation in the region’s natural beauty, take in a golf game, or go fishing. The airport is an integral part of the county’s and country’s tourism economy.

9. Skiathos Airport, Greece

Similar to Megève’s small runway mentioned previously, Skiathos Island in Greece is home to an airport with a short runway. It measures only 5,341 feet. Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport (or Skiathos International Airport) opened in 1972 to help accommodate the tourism of the picturesque Greek islands.

Because of the challenging topography of the area, the airport construction required building its runway out of the sea. Architects and engineers devised a plan to reclaim a strip of land that connected the islands Skiathos and Lazareta. It also provided enough land for a functional runway. Even with such innovative efforts, it hasn’t left much margin for error for pilots landing a plane.

In August 2022, a viral video captured a Whizz Air jet making a daring landing at the Skiathos Airport. Crowds gathered at the beach near the start of the runway to witness the plane’s low landing. The video shows onlookers getting knocked to their feet from the draft! The Skiathos Airport offers beautiful views of the Greek Islands, but also a front-row seat to planes’ stunning descents!

10. Barra Airport, Scotland

Scotland’s Barra Airport found another creative solution for a short runway: using a tidal beach. It’s one of the smallest airports in the world with its only destination being Glasgow.

Travelers enjoy Scotland’s natural beauty and outdoor activities like sea kayaking or cockle (a type of mollusk) picking. They’ll also have to work with the schedule of the tides to plan a trip to the island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

The weather and high tide dictate whether the airport is open or closed for landing aircraft. Despite this, over 14,000 passengers still make it to the remote island each year!

11. Chambéry Airport, France

Another scenic airport near the French-Swiss border is the Chambéry-Savoie Airport or Chambéry Airport. Named after the southeastern town in France, touching down at Chambéry Airport gives any traveler a premier view of the charming city and of the western Alps in the Savoy region. This is especially exciting for any skiers, as the area is known for bringing in winter sports athletes and enthusiasts!

12. Munich Airport, Germany

The final European airport that’s a destination as much as a leg of the trip is in Munich, Germany. The Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport (or Munich Airport for short) is one of the busiest airports in Europe. It’s also the second busiest in the country, after Frankfurt. It’s not just a major travel hub; it’s also an experience at the center of the expansive structure in northern Bavaria.

German-American architect, Helmut Jahn, designed the airport to have a sprawling roofed atrium flanked by terminals. When it doesn’t serve as a cavernous plaza, the space is transformed from season to season.

In the summer, the plaza becomes an indoor wave-riding pool. It’s free and surfers of all ages and levels receive wetsuits and surfboards to catch a few waves while waiting for their flight to board.

If beach sports don’t appeal, travelers can enjoy a traditional stein of beer in the fall. In winter, peruse one of the glittering Christmas markets that Germany is known for. Complete with ice skating rinks, live Christmas trees, and vendors selling delectable treats and drinks, it might be easy to miss a flight out of this airport’s winter wonderland!

Summary of the 12 Most Scenic Airports in Europe

If there’s upcoming travel to Europe, there are plenty of airports worth lingering at to enjoy their own, scenic attractions. There are sandy runways on a Scottish beach, eye-catching architectural marvels, airports tucked in the breathtaking Alps, and even an authentic German Christmas market at the airport. There are worthwhile sights and adventures to experience at every terminal, baggage claim, or landing strip!