Thinking of ideas for your upcoming honeymoon? If you're looking for a European adventure filled with rich history, beautiful scenery, and halal or Muslim-friendly food options, we've got the perfect 25-day itinerary, contributed by Kaven Siddique. He took a slow and enjoyable trip with his wife and explored Athens, Santorini, Milan, Venice, Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Paris and Rome!
Day 1-3: Athens
- Start your journey in Athens, the capital city of Greece. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city's historical sites, such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon.
- The Parthenon is like a superstar of classical Greek architecture, showcasing the pinnacle of ancient Greek civilization. It was constructed in the 5th century BCE and served multiple purposes - a temple, a treasury, and even a mosque throughout its colourful history. The Acropolis is a rocky hill in Athens, Greece, known for its historical and archaeological significance, which holds the Parthenon.
You'll find plenty of Muslim-friendly and halal restaurants around Masjid Al-Jabbar near the city centre. One of which is the Green Kebab which is around 20 minutes away, and serves halal Turkish kebabs! Another is Taverna El Greco for authentic Greek food!
Day 2
- Take a day trip around Athens and visit the shopping districts like Ermou Street and Kolonaki in the city's heart, where you can find stores like Anna-Maria Mazaraki, a well-known jewellery shop or even international brands like Zara.
- Don't forget to grab a gelato while you're out. Most of the gelato shops are alcohol-free.
HHWT tip:
These are some useful phrases shared by Kaven on checking the ingredients for the Gelato! He saved them and played them to the employees!
Day 3
- Visit the National Archaeological Museum, the largest archaeological museum in Greece! It houses an extensive collection of artefacts from various periods of Greek history.
- Some of the most notable exhibits include the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism and the Ancient Agora in Athens, which is sure to give you an insight into the history and culture of Athens.
Day 4: Athens to Santorini
- Explore the Plaka neighbourhood and the Monastiraki Flea Market. Both areas offer a lively atmosphere with street performers and plenty of dining options like Raja Jee, which offers halal meat for its meals, making them great spots for a day out in Athens.
- The Plaka neighbourhood is a picturesque area with narrow streets, charming cafes, and souvenir shops selling traditional Greek handicrafts, jewellery, and clothing.
- The Monastiraki Flea Market is a bustling bazaar with various items, including vintage clothing, antiques, vinyl records, books, and handmade crafts.
- It’s time to head over to Santorini! You can either take a ferry or a plane to Santorini.
P.S. Wondering about the difference in price? Check this out!
- Once you arrive in Santorini, check into your hotel and spend the day relaxing on the beach.
- For dinner, head to an Indian naan restaurant like the Jaipur Palace, which serves halal Indian food.
Day 5: Santorini
- Take a catamaran tour of the island and enjoy the famous romantic sunset in Oia!
- On this tour, admire crystal-clear waters, soak up the sun, and marvel at the stunning coastal landscapes. For the catamaran tour, you can stop at secluded beaches and coves inaccessible by land and take a refreshing dip in the sea. You may also have the opportunity to go snorkelling, paddleboarding, or kayaking, or even try your hand at fishing.
- Many catamaran tours also provide lunch and drinks onboard, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about finding a place to eat. Overall, a catamaran tour of an island is a great way to experience the beauty and serenity of Santorini.
- For dinner, you can head to Jaipur’s palace, the only halal place in Santorini but check with them about the meat as they only occasionally carry halal meat.
Day 6: Santorini to Rome
- Visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site which is a well-preserved ancient Minoan settlement located on the Greek island of Santorini. The settlement dates back to the Bronze Age, around 3600 years ago, and was buried by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE.
- Do also check out the Red Beach before leaving for Rome. The Red Beach is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Santorini, and its striking natural beauty will leave a lasting impression!
- Once you arrive in Rome, check into your hotel, and spend the day exploring the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
- You can also indulge in more gelato and cannoli while in Rome. #dontfeelguilty #doaswhatromanswoulddo
- P.S. Do check with the gelato stores if there is alcohol added for certain flavours!
Day 7: Rome
- Visit the Trevi Fountains, which offers a stunning sculpture of Neptune riding a chariot pulled by sea horses.
- According to legend, visitors who toss a coin into the fountain over their shoulder with their back to the fountain will return to Rome.
- You can also visit the Sistine Chapel, the most famous art museum in the world, in the Vatican City.
- The chapel is renowned for its ceiling, painted by Michelangelo.
- And lastly, the Spanish Steps, a popular landmark in Rome, which consists of 135 steps that climb the steep slope between Piazza di Spagna and the Trinita dei Monti church.
- The steps are a popular spot for tourists and locals to relax and take in the view, especially in the springtime when they are adorned with flowers. Regarding food, you'll find plenty of halal pizza options at Muslim-owned shops like Peri-Peri Halal Gril iln the city.
Day 8: Rome
- Take a walking tour of the city's historic centre and visit the Pantheon. The large dome, its most notable feature, is made of concrete and is still the largest unsupported dome in the world.
HHWT Tip: If you're visiting Rome during the holiday season, visit the Christmas World Event.
Day 9: Rome to Milan
Leave for Milan and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Don't miss the iconic Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II consider visiting it, for it is a stunning 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcade in Milan, Italy.
HHWT tip:
Kaven ate at this place called Crazy Pizza which has halal pizza!
Day 10: Milan
- Take a day trip to Lake Como, a large lake located in the northern part of Italy, in the region of Lombardy. It is the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, and one of the deepest lakes in Europe! Other then admiring the lake, all your star wars fans could head to the Villa del Balbianello, where they filmed Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Credit: Le Collectionist on Pinterest
HHWT Tip:
Check out this place at the Milano center called Al-Amin Ristorante. They have things like Kebabs and more!
Day 11: Milan to Venice
- Leave for Venice and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Take a walking tour of the city and visit St. Mark's Basilica.
- St. Mark's Basilica, also known as the Basilica di San Marco in Italian, is a historic church in Venice, Italy. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Venice and is often referred to as the "Church of Gold" due to its ornate decoration and stunning mosaics.
Day 12: Venice
- Take a gondola ride through the city's canals and visit the Rialto Bridge.
Day 13: Zurich
- Leave for Zurich and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
- Visit Kunsthaus Zurich, which is one of the largest art museums in the country and is known for its extensive collection of art, ranging from the medieval period to contemporary art.
- After which, you should explore the city's Old Town and its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares.
- It also features several charming neighbourhoods, each with its unique character. These include the trendy Niederdorf district, with its restaurants, the medieval Schipfe district, with its narrow alleys and historic houses, and the Lindenhof district, a peaceful park with sweeping views of the city and the river.
Day 14: Zurich
Day 14: Zurich
- Walk around the city and fuel up at restaurants like Yalla Habibi, which offers a halal menu.
P.S. The honeymooners took their time to explore the city but if you would like to plan your day, check out our Muslim-friendly itinerary to explore Zurich and the rest of Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass
Day 15: Lucerne
- Leave for Lucerne and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
- Take a walking tour of the city and visit the Chapel Bridge, which is a covered wooden footbridge that spans the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland.
Day 16: Lucerne
- Take a day trip to Mount Pilatus and enjoy the panoramic views!
Day 17: Interlaken
- Leave for Interlaken and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
Day 18: Interlaken
- After a night's stay in Interlaken, take a day trip to the Jungfraujoch, aka the "Top of Europe." which is the highest railway station in Europe offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- You'll spend the day here taking in the sights and enjoying the alpine air before returning to Interlaken for the night.
Day 19: Visit the Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
- Visit the nearby Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery and take a boat ride across the crystal-clear waters.
- These lakes are surrounded by mountains, which provide a breathtaking backdrop to your day and are perfect for your Instagram.
Day 20: Zermatt
- Leave Interlaken and travel to Zermatt, where you can spend the day exploring this charming alpine town.
- Be sure to take a cable car up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 21: Zermatt-St. Moritz
- After a night's stay in Zermatt, travel to St. Moritz and spend the day exploring this chic mountain resort town.
- If you're looking for adventure, try skiing or snowboarding on one of the many nearby slopes.
Day 21: St. Moritz
- For a change of pace, take a day trip on the Bernina Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic train rides.
- This train ride takes you through the Swiss Alps and offers breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and lakes.
Day 22: St. Moritz-Paris
- From St. Moritz, you'll head to Paris, the City of Light. After checking into your hotel, visit the Eiffel Tower, which offers stunning city views.
- Be sure to catch the tower's light show at night for a truly romantic experience.
Looking for things to do near the Eiffel tower? Check out these tips!
Day 23: Paris
- Head on to the famous Louvre Museum, which has an impressive collection of Islamic art.
- Don't miss the exhibit on Islamic art, which includes intricate ceramics, textiles, and metalwork.
- Afterwards, you can explore the rest of the museum, home to some of the world's most famous works of art.
P.S Looking for things to do in Paris, check out this itinerary
Day 24: Disneyland Paris
- For a fun-filled day, visit Disneyland Paris, just outside the city.
- This theme park is perfect for those who want to let loose and have some fun. You can ride roller coasters, meet your favourite Disney characters, and watch exciting live shows.
P.S. Looking for places to eat in Paris after your delightful day!
Day 25: Return home!
I hope this itinerary has been helpful and useful if you were to plan a trip to Europe!