Going to the airport is not exactly considered a joyful experience. But sometimes the facilities can make air travel slog feel a bit nicer.
Many airports across the globe boast striking architecture, beautiful art, luxury shopping, and even special amenities such as zen gardens, spas and movie theatres.
Here are 22 beautiful airports around the world to inspire a bit of aviation-related wanderlust. Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport is filled with attractions, including two movie theaters, hundreds of retail stores, multiple gardens, art galleries and a hedge maze. ROSLAN RAHMAN via Getty ImagesAdolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport In 2006, Spain's Madrid–Barajas Airport opened Terminal 4, an impressively large and ornate terminal with bamboo ceilings. marcp_dmoz on Flickr via Getty ImagesMalvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport The southernmost airport in the world, Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport is located in the Tierra del Fuego province at the southern tip of Argentina. The scenery and unique building style make it a sight to behold. Ruben Earth via Getty ImagesMarrakesh Menara Airport Morocco's Marrakesh Menara Airport has many distinctive architectural features fusing traditional and modern styles. Nicolas Balcazar / EyeEm via Getty ImagesBeijing Daxing International Airport China's
Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to open in September 2019. Some call it "The Starfish" due to its distinctive shape. ansonmiao via Getty ImagesIncheon International Airport The largest airport in
South Korea, Incheon International Airport, is located west of Seoul and offers a number of cultural experiences. JUNG YEON-JE via Getty ImagesDenver International Airport Denver International Airport's tent-like roof structure is notable, particularly set against the Rocky Mountains in the background. The airport is also the subject of a number of interesting conspiracy theories. George Rose via Getty ImagesChhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai,
India, has a roof canopy with patterns partly inspired by the peacock, the country's national bird. zhouyousifang via Getty ImagesBilbao Airport Nicknamed "La Paloma" or "The Dove," Bilbao Airport in
Spain has a sleek white design with two symmetrical "wings." Sanaz Rezaei via Getty ImagesSuvarnabhumi Airport Opened in 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport is the newer of the two airports in Bangkok, Thailand. NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHamad International Airport Hamad International Airport in the Qatari capital of Doha boasts striking works of art, upscale boutiques, a gym and more. KARIM JAAFAR via Getty ImagesO'Hare International Airport Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has a pedestrian tunnel with a neon installation called "Sky's the Limit." uschools via Getty ImagesDubai International Airport Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest in the world. Amenities include a zen garden and massage facilities. Dutchy via Getty ImagesJohn F. Kennedy Airport John F. Kennedy Airport in
New York City has a 1960s-themed hotel in the former Trans World Airlines terminal, which includes shops, restaurants and a bar inside a vintage airplane. Kevin Hagen via Getty ImagesPrincess Juliana International Airport Princess Juliana International Airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin is famous for its proximity to the beach, which has allowed for many incredible plane landing photos. Adam Mukamal via Getty ImagesLyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport Saint-Exupéry Airport in Lyon,
France, features designs by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Philippe ROYER via Getty ImagesCarrasco International Airport The new terminal of Carrasco International Airport aka General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay, was designed by architect Rafael Vinoly. Dante Fernandez via Getty ImagesKuala Lumpur International Airport Malaysia's main airport -- Kuala Lumpur International Airport -- was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. Atlantide Phototravel via Getty ImagesMadeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport
Cristiano Ronaldo, better known as Madeira Airport, is in Santa Cruz in the Portuguese region of Madeira is notable for its unusual runway. Octavio Passos via Getty ImagesOrlando International Airport Orlando International Airport has a large atrium to let in the
Florida sunshine. Roberto Machado Noa via Getty ImagesHeydar Aliyev International Airport Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, has both striking interiors and exteriors. Yegor Aleyev via Getty ImagesKansai International Airport Japan's Kansai International Airport opened in 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport. It was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Hidetsugu Mori/Aflo via Getty Images