These are the 5 best and worst airports

Your holiday naturally only truly begins by the pool, but the tone is often set at the airport. And while one terminal lets your journey start effortlessly, another immediately tests your patience. Based on thousands of Google Maps reviews, it has become clear which European airports will charm travelers the most in 2026.

Anyone booking a holiday by plane probably spends more time choosing a hotel than on the departure airport. Yet your journey begins and ends precisely there. Travel platform Holidu therefore analyzed the 85 busiest airports in Europe based on their average Google Maps score and the number of reviews. This resulted in a ranking of airports where travelers prefer to depart – and places where the holiday feeling sometimes founders even before the plane has taken off.

The undisputed number one

For the fourth year in a row, Istanbul Airport takes the win. The airport receives an average score of 4,4 stars and is praised for its modern terminals, spacious layout, free Wi-Fi, and direct metro connection to the city center. Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto and Helsinki Airport also score an impressive 4,4. Porto stands out thanks to its clear layout and friendly staff, while Helsinki convinces travelers with its calm atmosphere, modern design, and efficient terminal.

Not every airport takes off effortlessly.

At the bottom of the ranking are Heraklion International Airport on Crete, Brussels South Charleroi Airport, and Nantes Atlantique Airport. However, some nuance is in order here. Popular holiday and budget airports often handle far more passengers during the high season than they were originally built for. Long queues, staff shortages, or renovations can quickly lead to a less positive review.

It is striking that targeted investments are indeed yielding results. Thanks to a large-scale modernization, Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport managed to rise three places compared to last year. Dublin Airport made the biggest leap, climbing eight places, while Brussels Airport (Zaventem) actually lost nine places. Schiphol remained stable in 39th position.

The 5 best airports in Europe

1. Istanbul Airport (Turkey)
2. Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport – Porto (Portugal)
3. Helsinki Airport (Finland)
4. Athens International Airport (Greece)
5. Zurich Airport (Switzerland)

The 5 worst airports in Europe

1. Heraklion International Airport (Greece)
2. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (Belgium)
3. Nantes Atlantique Airport (France)
4. Pisa International Airport (Italy)
5. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (France)