Rome–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport — Rome, Italy

Rome's Fiumicino Airport, formally Leonardo da Vinci International and coded FCO, opened in 1961 along the Tyrrhenian coast to gradually take over long-haul and high-volume traffic from the older, more centrally located Ciampino field. Named for the Renaissance polymath, the airport now ranks among Europe's busiest, serving as Italy's principal international gateway and the former flagship hub of Alitalia, whose operations have since transitioned to the newer carrier ITA Airways. A dedicated Leonardo Express train connects FCO to Rome's Termini station in roughly thirty minutes, offering a fast alternative to taxis navigating the city's notorious traffic. The airport's location near the small town of Fiumicino places it close to the Tiber River's mouth, a short distance from the ruins of ancient Ostia. Seasonal demand surges heavily each summer as pilgrims and tourists converge on Rome.