Airports are often a traveller’s first introduction to a country’s culture, architecture and identity. Stunning airports often evolve into symbols of national pride, enhancing a country’s global economic and tourism appeal.
A fine example of this is Singapore’s Changi Airport. The airport itself has become a tourist attraction, with many travellers setting aside an entire day to revel in the many vistas that the airport has to offer.
But it seems India is not far behind. The 2026 Prix Versailles Most Beautiful Airport List was announced on June 15, 2026, in Paris. Out of a total of seven airports featured in the list, two Indian airports secured a place this year. Yet these are not the only architectural marvels in India’s aviation landscape.
Here’s a look at a few of the hidden gems, okay, maybe not so hidden, that India is proud of:
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
Terminal 2 of Bengaluru’s airport has already earned major accolades. Its “Terminal in a Garden” concept won the 2023 Prix Versailles and the World Special Prize for an Interior in the same year. Celebrating Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, the terminal features indoor gardens with rammed-earth walls, waterfalls and hanging planted bells, all framed by engineered bamboo.
Read More: Watch: Top 10 Airports With The Best Architecture Across The World
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati
Terminal 2 of Guwahati’s airport is designed as a bamboo-inspired sky forest, reflecting the region’s dense vegetation through curved, branched structures. Designed by architect Nuru Karim, the terminal ceiling traces the course of the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, almost like a map guiding passengers through Assam’s waterways.
Lounges and waiting spaces are artistically adorned with indigenous art, tribal stories and local craft. The design also draws inspiration from the Kopou orchid, Assam’s state flower, reinforcing the terminal’s deep connection with the region’s natural heritage.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, Navi Mumbai
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Terminal 1 of the airport is built around the image of a blooming lotus flower. With an immense canopy, the lotus petals appear to be floating above the structure, bowing down to ornate structural columns. Interactive digital artworks referred to as “Navigate” adorn key points of the airport, providing an immersive experience. It showcases Maharashtrian culture in all its grandeur, amalgamated with new-age technology.
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Terminal 2 of Mumbai’s airport draws inspiration from India’s national bird, the peacock. The canopy features intricate glass elements that cast peacock-feather-inspired patterns and colours across the interiors. Elegant lotus-shaped chandeliers adorn the terminal, while its vast roof remains one of the largest in the world, built without expansion joints.
The terminal is also home to the Jaya He Art Gallery, one of the world’s largest public art programmes in an airport, showcasing thousands of artworks inspired by India’s cultural heritage.
Far from being mere transport hubs, modern airports are increasingly becoming cultural showcases that tell visitors a story about the place they are to enter. With two airports making it to the 2026 Prix Versailles list and several others winning global acclaim in recent years, India appears to bestow its travellers with unforgettable experiences, both in and under the skies.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, Firstpost, The Economic Times
Find the blogger: @diptisadh
This post is tagged under: airports, Indian airports, stunning airports, beautiful airports, prix versailles 2026, airport design trends, indian airport architecture, kempegowda international airport, chatrapati shivaji maharaj international airport, bengaluru airport, navi mumbai international airport, guwahati airport, terminal in a garden, aviation landmarks in India
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