Make Sure To Land At The Airport Voted Europe's Best On Your Visit To Switzerland

Switzerland is far from Europe's largest country, but it's packed with breathtaking destinations, from the mountains of the Swiss Alps to the historic town of Basel and beyond. However, you may want to book your flight to Zurich to check out the city's spectacular airport. According to the World Travel Awards, the hub is the best in all of Europe — a title it's received a whopping 21 years in a row.

The World Travel Awards are determined by online voters, who select their favorites after the World Travel Award Committee nominates industry leaders in tourism and hospitality. Zurich Airport (ZRH) received high marks for cleanliness, customer service, and walkability in particular. The travel hub has also been recognized by the Airports Council International as one of the best airports in Europe with between 25 million and 40 million annual passengers. The award is given to airports based on positive customer experience and satisfaction.

On a practical level, Zurich is an easy airport to travel through, as it's located only 11 minutes by train from the center of the city. It's also known for having short security lines and quick immigration checkpoints. And despite being smaller than busy spots like Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Zurich connects to an impressive 200 destinations with over 60 airlines on its roster.

Cleanliness and short walking distances are nice travel day perks, but that's not all Zurich Airport has to offer. Though you'll find airport staples like lounges and duty-free shopping, a range of other experiences and activities are what help make Zurich Airport Europe's best. First, ZRH has amenities that incorporate fresh air and outdoor views — two of Switzerland's strong points. Visitors can watch planes take off from two observation decks, each complete with its own restaurant. To really immerse yourself in the great outdoors, visit the airport's park, accessible via a unique cable car. Exploring the 80,000 square meters of rolling hills and walking paths is a great way to relax before or after a flight. And you can even rent bikes, skates, and walking poles while at the airport.

Switzerland is one of the most expensive European countries to travel to, but if you haven't maxed out your budget, consider stopping by Zurich Airport's shopping areas. Besides the stores located inside the secure terminals, there are over 150 shops and restaurants to discover in the public Circle facilities. There you'll also find spas, a hair salon, a hospital, co-working spaces, a gym, and other handy amenities.

If you're at Zurich Airport for a flight, be sure to take advantage of its features made for fliers. Take note of the showers, free Wi-Fi, and luggage weighing stations. Families can also benefit from free special services in passenger zone A, including rooms for nursing, a kitchenette, playrooms, games, and more.