Airports welcome millions of visitors and can be found all over the world. Yet we don't always pay attention to their architecture, in our hurry to get on the plane and reach our destination. Airports are also places where you have to open your eyes, and some of them are real nuggets. Because yes, design, elegance and aesthetics are notions that are taken into account when designing a hub. And it's to make sure that every detail is taken into account during future trips that Le Petit Futé has made a selection of the 10 most beautiful airports on the planet. Attention, takeoff!
1- Beijing Capital International Airport, China
Let's go to the Chinese capital and more precisely to the terminal 3 of the Beijing International Airport which is simply one of the biggest buildings in the world. The terminal was built not only to accommodate the ever-increasing number of passengers since the economic boom, but also in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. On closer inspection, it symbolizes a dragon and the dominant colors are the traditional Chinese colors of red and orange. It also has an advanced colour code to facilitate the movement of passengers.
2- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Spain
Located only 12 km north-east of the Spanish capital, the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Europe. One of the most striking features is Terminal 4, designed by British architect Richard Rogers, with its two parallel buildings with undulating aluminium roofs, yellow on the inside, which imitate the flapping of a seagull's wing. This terminal has won awards. And for those who don't know, the airport is named after the first elected head of government of the Spanish democracy
3- Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates
This is one of the most important airports in the world, for a city considered the new El Dorado. There are palm trees, multicolored lights, water features, a whole modern world that gives an idea of what awaits visitors in the rest of the city. On the level of terminal 3, there is a multitude of shops, restaurants, two Zen gardens and spas. It's simple, it's almost a city within a city as there is so much to do there. The Dubai airport is simply a symbol of the emirate's folie de grandeur
4- Marrakech-Menara Airport, Morocco
It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful airports in the world. Second airport in Morocco after Casablanca, it is a perfect synthesis between modern and traditional Islamic architecture. It should also be noted that the work was put into service in record time. This did not prevent the workers from creating an architectural jewel, with a design that evokes the cells of a beehive and where oriental motifs let in natural light. The facade is also beautiful, and with an eye to contemporary concerns, Terminal 1 is partially solar-powered
5- Nice-Côte-d'Azur Airport, France
One cannot talk about the most beautiful airports in the world without making a stopover in the south-eastern part of France. The Nice airport shines not because it has an exceptional building from an architectural point of view, but because it was built on an area partially reclaimed by the sea. When you arrive by plane, it almost looks as if it is drawing on the water, and the gradation of the blue of the sea is striking. Nice-Côte-d'Azur airport is the one that welcomes the most business planes after Paris-Le Bourget. One thing is certain, when arriving in Nice from the skies, it is best to choose a location near a window.
6- Ushuaïa International Airport - Malvinas, Argentina
At the tip of South America, Ushuaïa - Malvinas International Airport is the southernmost airport in the world. Set in beautiful natural surroundings, it is pleasing to note that the hub was built in harmony with nature, including the use of wood in the structure. As far as this airport is concerned, we are of course amazed as soon as we arrive by the landscapes that are offered to us, and above all by the snowy peaks that illuminate Tierra del Fuego
7- Changi Airport, Singapore
For several years now, the Singapore airport has been considered as the best airport in the world, as much by the users as by the professionals! And for good reason, there are a lot of shops, restaurants and even a hotel. Its design is also captivating and people who pass by are bound to want to visit the Discovery Garden, with its tree-like sculptures. There is also a garden with arid Asian desert plants and cacti, and the Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall
8- Denver Airport, USA
A confusing airport! Located 40 km north-east of the city, designed by architect Curtis Fentress in 1995, its Jeppesen terminal cannot leave anyone indifferent, since its roof resembles a village of white carpets, evoking the history of Colorado when the American Indians occupied the plains. One can also think of it as a reminder of the Rocky Mountains that lie just behind. In any case, this hub is definitely worth a look, arriving by sky, or driving away to Denver.
9- Tokyo-Haneda International Airport, Japan
Design, aestheticism, these two words perfectly symbolize the atmosphere of the Tokyo-Haneda airport. More than an airport, it is a real experience in itself. There are shops, restaurants, useful robots in terminal 3 that can give valuable information and even translate! Finally, for those who have time to spare, there are even observation platforms. For the information of travelers, the Jonanjima Coastal Park is located near the airport. A very nice place to walk along the Tokyo Bay
10- Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay
Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and inaugurated in 2009, Carrasco Airport is the country's main airport. It is surrounded by greenery, and its architecture is remarkable, soft and elegant. It blends perfectly with the landscape and the light seems to connect the interior with the exterior. Its one-piece roof, with soft round curves, is a nod to the dunes that line Uruguay's coastline. The airport is ultra-modern and incredibly clean, which is only natural in a country that has been dubbed the "Switzerland of South America".
