Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, International airport in Barajas district, Spain.
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas is an international airport in the Barajas district of Madrid, with four terminals and several runways. It is Spain's largest aviation hub and connects the capital with destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
The airport opened in 1928 with a simple unpaved landing strip and grew into one of the major European airports after the Second World War. Over the following decades, the site was expanded several times, especially with the construction of new terminals and additional runways.
The roof above the fourth terminal is shaped in waves, and daylight falls through long openings down to the areas where travelers wait for their flights. The form recalls traditional vaulted Spanish architecture and gives the hall a bright, open feel.
Metro Line 8 connects all terminals to the city center and runs during the day and late into the night. Buses, suburban trains, and taxis are also available, with travel time ranging from 15 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
A visitor terrace dedicated to plane spotters opened in 2022, offering a direct view of the taxiways and the control tower. The lighting is powered by solar energy, and the platform draws enthusiasts especially in the late afternoon.
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