Here are the 10 best airports in Europe

With demand for air travel in Europe growing at an impressive rate, the need for world-class airports is at an all-time high. Leading aviation reviewer Skytrax recently released the results of its annual World Airport Awards, which includes a list of the best in Europe.

The Skytrax annual rankings are based on the impressions of over 13 million fliers from 106 countries. More than 550 airports were included in the survey, which covers 39 service and performance parameters, including facility comfort, location of bathrooms, and the language skills of the airport staff.

10. Vienna International Airport (VIE)

Yearly passengers: 22.8 million

Previous rank: N/A

Why it's awesome: Located just 12 miles from the heart of Austria's capital and largest city, Skytrax reviewers praised the airport for its cleanliness, compact size, and speedy wi-fi connectivity.

Vienna International Airport's largest tenants include Austrian Airlines, NIKI, and Eurowings.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Vienna International Airport .

9. Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)

Yearly passengers: 39.7 million

Previous rank: N/A

Why it's awesome: Barcelona-El Prat is one of the busiest airports in Europe and serves as the gateway for region's booming leisure industry. The airport's largest tenants include low-cost carriers Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling.

Skytrax reviewers praised the facility for its available dining and shopping options, while complaining about longer wait times.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by AENA.

8. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

Yearly passengers: 10.3 million

Previous rank: 8

Why it's awesome: Located just 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Cologne, Germany, CGN is a major hub for the budget carrier Germanwings. 

Skytrax reviewers praised the airport for its modern architecture and its clean and efficient terminal buildings.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Cologne Bonn Airport.

7. Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

Yearly passengers: 26.6 million

Previous rank: 6

Why it's awesome: Copenhagen is one of the busiest hubs in Northern Europe and is a major base of operations for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Skytrax reviewers lauded the airport for its clearly placed signs and the efficient, though sometimes crowded, facilities. 

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Copenhagen Airport.

6. Helsinki Airport (HEL)

Yearly passengers: 20.1 million

Previous rank: 7

Why it's awesome: Located 20 kilometers north of the Finish capital, Helsinki Airport is home to Finnair and is a major hub for Norwegian Air Shuttle. 

Travelers moving through the airport can pass their time in a variety of ways, whether by visiting an art gallery or an aviation museum, engaging in a book swap, or viewing a scenic terrace.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Finavia Corporation.

5. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)

Yearly passengers: 55 million

Previous rank: 4

Why it's awesome: Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe and serves as a hub for KLM, Transavia, and Delta.

Opened in 1916, Schiphol is noted for its wide variety of leisure activities and has a library in which fliers can cozy up with a good book while waiting for their flights.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2014, provided by Airports Council International.

4. Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Yearly passengers: 59.6 million

Previous rank: 5

Why it's awesome: Frankfurt Airport is the third-busiest airport in Europe and one of the most important transit hubs in the world. FRA is home base to Lufthansa's fleet of more than 270 jets. 

Skytrax reviewers praised the airport for the ease of transit between terminals and the abundant shopping and dining options. Some, however, have complained of the lengthy immigration lines.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2014, provided by Airports Council International.

3. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Yearly passengers: 73.4 million

Previous rank: 3

Why it's awesome: Heathrow is the world's third-busiest airport and the largest of the five primary airports serving London. 

Heathrow is in the midst of a major renovation with the addition of a brand-new Terminal 2 building. Its eight-year-old Terminal 5 building was once again named the best airport terminal in the world by Skytrax.

Heathrow serves as the main hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2014, provided by Airports Council International.

2. Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Yearly passengers: 26.3 million

Previous rank: 2

Why it's awesome: Just 8 miles from the heart of Zurich, the airport serves as the home for Swiss International Air Lines and as a hub linking Switzerland's largest city with the rest of the country.

For passengers with an extended layover, Zurich Airport offers bicycle and inline-skate rentals and excursions to the Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Zurich Airport.

1. Munich Airport (MUC)

Yearly passengers: 41 million

Previous rank: 1

Why it's awesome: Once again, MUC has been rated the best airport in Europe by Skytrax. Located northeast of downtown Munich, MUC is one of the busiest airports in Europe and the second-busiest in Germany, after Frankfurt.

Munich serves as a major hub for Air Berlin, Lufthansa, and Condor, and it features airy, glass-heavy architecture. A nearby visitors park features mini golf and a display of historic aircraft.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2015, provided by Munich Airport.