The six most beautiful airports in the world for 2025 have been revealed — and two are in the US
And two are in the US.
Portland International Airport Main Terminal and San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1 both make the Unesco Prix Versailles competition's World's Most Beautiful Airports List 2025.
The judges describe Portland's new Main Terminal, designed by Oregon's ZGF, as "spectacular".
They explain that the terminal was "inspired by walks in the forest, resulting in a calming, immersive experience for travelers".
They continue: "The star of the project is its undulating mass timber roof, extending over more than 387,500ft, which celebrates Oregon's history of forest product innovation."
It's explained that the materials employed were sourced from local industry within a 310-mile radius of the airport, with a "forest to frame" system created to track as much of the wood as possible back to its forest of origin.
Prix Versailles adds: "The spectacularly scaled structure promotes access to natural light and views of the forested landscape. A resplendently staged renovation that is both sustainable and functional."
San Francisco Airport's new Terminal 1, meanwhile, is described as a "soothing, restorative setting for travelers", with "soft natural light filtering through to entry level" and "architecture that unfurls in a celebration of arts and crafts that reflect the unique character of the Bay Area".
Prix Versailles adds: "In fact, the airport is becoming a real cultural destination with the SFO Museum, the world's only accredited museum at an airport, allowing more robust exhibits and art to be shared throughout the terminals."
Also making the list is Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 in Osaka, Japan. Originally designed 30 years ago by Renzo Piano on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, its interior spaces have now been "reinvigorated" and a smart queue management system installed.
The judges add: "The terminal's successful reopening, in time for the 2025 World Expo, honours the history of an extraordinary site."
Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1, designed by Foster + Partners, also makes the cut thanks to an extension comprising a window-lined hall with a grid of skylights that "conveys peace and relaxation".
Prix Versailles adds: "Glass façades provide for maximum transparency, with views of Provençal hinterland on the one side and a maritime lagoon on the other, in a wonderful blend of hospitality and style."
The other two airports on the list are Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 in China, where "natural light permeates the entire terminal", and Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal on Reunion Island.
This "tropical bioclimatic airport" has a central "canyon" that acts as a thermal chimney, louvred shutters connected to sensors that adjust their angles in response to changing weather conditions and an interior that's a "sensory journey" for travelers thanks to "extensive use of wood and native vegetation in a living expression of the island's landscape and culture".
The Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, Jérôme Gouadain, emphasises the footprint of these new projects: "The mark left by airports stems chiefly from their ever-growing role in international exchanges. As a result, this infrastructure must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves.
"But this new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty. In fact, we should strive to make this happen, given their inescapability in our built environments and our landscapes.
"Orientated towards operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence, these hubs also convey shared values, culture or even a tribute to the past, out of respect for the legacies left behind by earlier generations. In the light of the planetary challenges facing us today, it is time for these expressive images of our contemporary heritage to be asserted as symbols of humankind's internal dialogue."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Officials expand beach closures on July 4 due to hidden deadly bacteria
Clear skies and warm waters may tempt many to head to the beach this holiday weekend, but officials are warning millions of July 4 vacationers to think twice before entering the water because they could be infected with a deadly bacteria. States and local counties have been posting advisories all week about closures and more are still being added to the list. At least 100 beaches across 12 states are now closed or under advisories across the country because of bacterial blooms. Affecting both fresh and saltwater beaches, the warnings have mostly been triggered by E. coli — which can infect people if they swallow contaminated water and usually cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. But officials warn deadly micro-organisms are likely also multiplying in the water, including Vibrio vulnificus — a flesh-eating bacteria that can infect open wounds and kills one in five patients. The pathogen Naegleria fowleri also lives in freshwater and can infect people if water enters their body through openings. The micro-organism attacks the brain and is nearly always fatal, killing about 97 percent of patients. Beaches shuttered by warnings include two popular spots on the city of Chicago's northern lakefront and three beaches on the coastline near New Jersey's famed Sandy Hook beach. It isn't clear why bacteria populations are surging this time of year, but it may be linked to recent heavy rainfall in parts of the country. This can wash a surge of extra nutrients into waterways, which can then cause bacterial blooms as microorganisms use up the resources. In a notice posted in Suffolk County, New York, officials warned that 'bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat'. Officials in Massachusetts, the state that has closed the most beaches in the US, warn that it has closed beaches due to 'bacterial exceedance' — or blooms in bacteria. pored over local news reports and state health department websites covering the more than 5,000 beaches in the US. The states with beach closures or advisories are: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin. Overall, Massachusetts had the most beaches closed or under advisories at 26, both freshwater and saltwater, in total. Illinois had the second highest number at 24 beaches, according to its state dashboard. And Vermont had the third highest, at 19 beaches, according to local media reports. Wisconsin was the only other state with more than 10 beaches closed, with a total of 14 closures or advisories reported by local media. Advisories are triggered if levels in water exceed 235 colonies per 100 milliliters. About 265,000 people are sickened with E. coli every year, reports suggest, although these are normally linked to contaminated food. Early warning signs of an infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhea which may be bloody and nausea and vomiting. In serious cases, these can become severe and patients can become dehydrated, suffering from dizziness and decreased urination. The infections are more risky in old people, who have a weaker immune system, and young children, with about 100 people dying from E. coli in the US every year. When E. coli is present in water, however, experts say it is likely that other more dangerous micro-organisms are also multiplying in the water, including Naegleria fowleri and Vibrio vulnificus Only around five people have ever survived a Naegleria fowleri infection in the US, statistics suggest, out of about 164 infections. Among them is Maryland local Ryan Perry contracted Naegleria fowleri in May 2019 after using a jet ski on the Susquehanna River. He noticed the water seemed opaque with sediment, but carried on — spending three hours whipping around the reservoir. The next day, he had the worst headache he had ever experienced, he said, prompting him to go to the doctor a day later when it persisted — leading him to be sent to the emergency department, where the amoeba was diagnosed. He remained on a ventilator for more than two weeks before recovering, but he also had to relearn basic movements again — in a process that took more than two months. In a case involving Vibrio vulnificus, a woman had to have her leg amputated after she caught the bacteria while swimming. Vibrio infects people by entering the body through cuts and abrasions, and then starts to eat away at the flesh, often causing serious complications. Debbie King, 72 and from Florida, suffered from a cut while climbing onto her friend's boat in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2023. She initially thought nothing of the abrasion, and dismissed the red and sore shin she suffered the next day as due to sunburn. But after the area became red and blistered three days later, she went to her doctor — who immediately referred her to the emergency department. There, doctors said that she had been infected with the Vibrio bacteria and could die if they did not amputate her leg. According to the CDC, about 150 to 200 cases of Vibrio are reported annually, with 20 percent resulting in death.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
One of Europe's most beautiful Art Deco train stations with private tours and clocks that are always wrong
THE French city of Limoges has one of the most beautiful train stations in the world - and a rather unique feature. The Gare de Limoges -Bénédictins was first built in 1929 in a classic Art Deco style with some of the original stained glass windows remaining. 5 5 The station is also recognisable because of its 67m-high clock tower, which has four faces. However, the clock is always two minutes fast. You might think this is strange, but actually, it's completely intentional and so that passengers are on time and don't miss their trains. The platforms at Limoges station are also built below ground level, so they wouldn't affect the views of the city. And the underground tunnels were even used during WWII, when it was occupied by German Troops as a shelter between 1942 and 1945. However, the station was almost destroyed after a fire in 1998, which started in the domed roof. Luckily, the fire was put out before it could damage any other parts of the site, and a year later, the roof was rebuilt. Tourists have raved about the beauty of the station, with one saying: "One of the most beautiful gare/ train stations in Europe." Another said: "The building is absolutely gorgeous, and well worth visiting just for the architecture even if you don't happen to be going anywhere by train." But for anyone who wants to know and see more of the station, you can take your own tour around it. These are are organised by the City of Art and History tour guides. Huge new train station to open in world's most popular city 5 5 The tour tells the story of the station over the course of an hour and costs €6 (£5.18), €4 (£3.45) for children between six and 18, and it's free for children under six. Limoges is part of the Limousin region, and you can discover it via a steam train as well. There are lots of different tours to choose from which end at various destinations like Eymoutiers, Brignac and Bugeat. The longest journey is from Limoges station to Bugeat where passengers board one of the historic steam-powered trains. The first stop is to Brignac, a small town on the Vienne River where passengers get to take off and go for a hike in-between stops. The walk heads to a paper mill called Moulin du Got and St-Léonard-de-Noblat. This trip to Eymoutiers takes around two hours and the website advertises musical entertainment and historical commentary onboard - prices for the tours start from €16 (£13.81). Here's a full list of holiday destinations you can still fly to for under £15 this month - including Limoges. And the Sun's Alex West explored Limoges by luxury convertible - here's how to copy his French road trip. 5
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Blow to Brits as tourist visa for US holidays to cost MUCH more
A TRIP to the USA is set to get more expensive for Brits. Thanks to a new bill being passed, the price of an ESTA is set to double from $21 (£15.38) to $40 (£29.30). 4 4 Before entering the US, Brits are required to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The fee is currently $21 (£15.38) to apply for an ESTA - a price which was introduced in May 2022. Prior to this date, the fee was $14 (£10.25) and will now rise to $40 (£29.30) although an official start date is yet to be confirmed. The rise in fees is part of US President Donald Trump 's "One Big Beautiful Bill". The current rules require every visitor from the UK to apply for an ESTA to be allowed access into the United States. An ESTA is generally valid for two years from the date of approval, or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. If your passport expires before the two-year period, your ESTA will be valid only until the passport's expiration date. You'll need to apply for a new ESTA if you get a new passport or if your current ESTA expires. US Travel's President and CEO Geoff Freeman fears the increased fees will "do nothing to improve the travel experience and only discourage visitation.' I travelled to America to try the viral TikTok shop Crumbl 4 America isn't the only place increasing fees for a visa. The EU is gearing up to introduce the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme next year. This swiftly follows the introduction of the new Entry/Exit system. ETIAS will be a requirement for any non-EU national from a visa-exempt countries, including the UK, for short-term stays in the Schengen Area. And the online fee to enter the ETIAS scheme could be more than initially planned. Current plans for travellers heading from outside the bloc include them paying €7 (£6.04) as part of an online application. However, now the European Union is looking to raise that price, even though the scheme hasn't launched yet. For anyone heading to America, here are the latest travel tips. And here are 12 bizarre things one Sun Travel Writer discovered when she lived in the US for 3 months. 4
