The 8 most extravagant airports in the world
(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)
Exploring a new city on a long layover is the perfect way to squeeze another destination into your trip. But it's a science that's difficult to perfect without ample time to roam around—so why not make an amazing airport your bonus destination?
Spending hours in a terminal won't give you cabin fever if it's at one of these action-packed air hubs, with events and amenities to rival those in nearby cities.
Treat yourself to fine dining and a concert, mini golf and an IMAX movie, or even an indoor surfing session. Yes, actual surfing. Here's where to find them.
Hong Kong International Airport
(Photo: TripAdvisor, LLC)
HKG, China's behemoth international airport in Hong Kong, welcomes 63 million passengers per year to its wonderland of high-tech diversions. The airport's Aviation Discovery Center turns passengers into pilots in a flight simulator. The Dream Come True Education Park encourages kids to play pretend by dressing up in their dream job uniforms, and is sure to keep them busy while adults take to an 18-hole round of simulated golf at GreenLive AIR. And without ever leaving the airport, passengers of all ages can catch a 3D movie at Hong Kong's biggest IMAX screen. HKG is also known for its cleanliness, and relaxing in a movie theater without a sticky floor seems like an experience worth the layover.
RELATED: Walking the Great Wall of China: A Bucket-List Trip You Can Actually Afford
Munich Airport
(Photo: TripAdvisor, LLC)
How does Germany reinvent the layover? With a gourmet beer garden, an authentic Christmas Market, and—surfing? An indoor standing wave called Surf & Style has been a crowd-garnering staple at Munich Airport for the past five summers, beckoning to elite and novice surfers alike. That's just one of the airport's many seasonal events, which also include an authentic Christmas Market and outdoor ice skating in the busy winter months.
Munich Airport is the only airport in Europe to receive one of a handful of five-star ratings fromSkyTrax, a global airport reviewer. Check out amenities like sleeping pods (called Napcabs), showers, spa services, and exclusive lounges. Kids can enjoy mini golf, jungle gyms, and playgrounds. The airport is opening a new satellite terminal in April 2016 in order to handle the 38 million passengers that pass through it each year, and only time will tell what trendy amenities it will bring.
Seoul's Incheon International Airport
(Photo: TripAdvisor, LLC)
A surprising spot for international and local musical attractions alike, Incheon's Skytrax rated five-star airport is the largest in South Korea. A capella, orchestra, and band concerts fill each season at Incheon Airport's passenger terminal, where daily performances are held. Incheon is also home to the largest duty-free shopping center in the world, an ice rink, spa services, scenic gardens with fountains and sculptures, and baby lounges that are exclusively for passengers with infants. Safe to say it's a relaxing place to spend your layover.
RELATED: 10 Best Cities to Visit in Asia
See the rest of the story at Business Insider