Even if you travel a little these days, you can agree that an airport can make or break a trip. Few things test your patience like endless queues or food options that never quite hit the spot. And now that summer has just ended and many travellers are returning from their holidays, you want to be sure you’re using the right airport.

After all, the travel encounter is not just restricted to your destination. The airport of departure and arrival also matters a great deal. And in most cases, they are usually the first and last impression of a country, a city’s travel card and sometimes the difference between a relaxed start to your holiday and a travel-day disaster. In 2025, awards from bodies like Airport Council International (ACI) continue to influence which airports are celebrated, while passenger numbers show where the busiest and most connected hubs still sit.

There are also traveller-driven rankings that cut even closer to reality. For instance, the highest and lowest-rated European airports, according to Holidu, can help separate mediocre facilities from excellent ones. Of course, you want a data-backed review to ensure you choose an airport that will give you the best experience.

Istanbul, Turkey’s largest air hub

Just recently, a leading travel magazine, Travel and Leisure, named Istanbul Airport the world’s best airport. On Google Maps, it has a rating of 4.4 and more than 100,000 reviews, primarily because of its updated features, size and clean terminals. 

According to the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), the airport has, on different occasions, topped the list of airports with the highest number of daily flights.

Studies show that it handled up to 80 million travellers in 2024 alone, making it the second-busiest in Europe. But these numbers shouldn’t shock you. Istanbul is well-organised with automated ticket barriers and well-planned layouts to ensure you do not experience confusion.

Athens International Airport

On June 19 2025, this facility received the ACI Europe 2025 Best Airport Award, proving its resilience and commitment to improving travellers’ experiences. It also received the Digital Transformation Award for embracing digitalisation and innovative technologies for better safety and efficiency.

With more than 49,000 reviews, Athens has a 4.3 rating on Google Maps. Its signage and straightforward layout ensure both seasoned and regular travellers have an easy time navigating the venue. This is without mentioning its terminals, which are clean and spacious and have a wide range of shops and restaurants to cater to every taste.

Helsinki, Finland’s Pride

Can you believe that Helsinki Airport has won the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award in the 15-25 million passenger size category six times since 2018? Helsinki is committed to providing excellent experiences, which explains why people love it. Just a few years ago, Finavia, the Finnish state-owned airport operator, completely renewed the airport’s terminals to match modern standards. Lounges were also renovated, and a hair salon and pharmacy were added to the arrivals hall.

And when it comes to catering to contemporary trends like personalisation, Helsinki is catching up. With the airport’s free MyFlight service, passengers can now get customised tips for visiting the facility. And to make the experience even more engaging, Finavia is testing a new feature on its website that shows estimated security control queue time at the airport. Considering these features, you shouldn’t be surprised that, out of 17,728 views, Helsinki has a 4.4 rating on Google Maps.

The captivating Porto Airport

One of the reasons why Porto is a favourite for many is how it combines size and comfort. Even with more than 15 million travellers flocking in each year, the facility maintains short lines and makes getting around easy. For those visiting Porto for the first time and already feeling overwhelmed with the burden of exploring a new destination, this is a big plus.

You won’t struggle walking through the terminals. The clustered self-service kiosks and a dedicated fast-track security lane ensure you get served quickly. Porto has maintained an exemplary level of service quality over the years, explaining why it has received 17 ASQ awards from ACI since 2006. On Google Maps, it has a 4.4 rating based on more than 30,000 reviews.

The excellent Zurich Airport

It would be unfair to end this list without mentioning Zurich. Just in 2023, it was honoured with the World Travel Award as Europe’s best airport. And mark you: this was the 20th time the airport received the reward. According to Lukas Brosi, Zurich’s CEO, continuously improving quality is one of the many things that has helped them earn a name amongst Europe’s best airports.

Transfers here are easy, walking is minimal and security screening is quick. When it comes to cleanliness, Zurich seems to have no rival. In fact, some passengers claim it feels ‘spotless.’ As a result of these features, the airport has a 4.3 rating on Google Maps based on more than 30,000 reviews.

There is no reason why your experience should be frustrating just because you chose the wrong airport. As the number of travellers increases, you want a facility with easy transfers and fast security checks. And for first-time visitors, airports should be easily navigable to ensure a seamless experience. Thankfully, with this list of top-rated European airports, you always have a place to get started.