Most Muslims worldwide would think twice about travelling to Europe as they feel it'll be hard to find halal food. But thanks to the presence of the Turks, the Moroccans, and the Algerians in the cities, you'll easily be able to find halal food all around these cities! Not only that but there are also mosques in certain areas, making it convenient for every Muslim traveller venturing into the city. Not sure where are the cities you should head to for a holiday? Fret not, we're here to guide you through some of the Muslim-friendly European cities you can visit!?
1. Berlin
From visiting the largest department store in Europe (KaDeWe) to taking a stroll in the Grunewald forest, Berlin has everything that'll entertain your wandering heart! This city pleases everyone from shopping enthusiasts to nature lovers, and whatever your personality is, you'll find this city magnificent nonetheless. Not to mention that it's the place where the iconic Berlin Wall is located! Berlin is also the home of around 300,000 Muslims, which covers 10% of the whole population in the city! You'll easily find mosques around the city, such as the Berlin Central Mosque, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Moschee, Wilmersdorfer Moschee, İbrahim Al-Khalil Moschee and Büyük Camii. Berlin also offers more than 60 halal restaurants! If you're on a tight budget during your trip, you can head down to Rayan Chicken for yummy Turkish food or Maroush for delicate Lebanese food.
2. Hamburg
Just like its sister city, Berlin, Hamburg also offers various tourist attractions ranging from historical places to countless museums and incredible architecture. And hey, it's a major port city in Northern Germany, and it's no surprise if you find some cool fish markets and water activities too! Turkish people are the largest migrant community in the city, and their population is around 93,000. The number of Muslims in the city takes up 200,000 people, and it's more than 10 per cent of the city's population. There are more than 20 mosques in the city; some of the popular ones include Islamisches Zentrum and Centrum Moschee, just to name a few! For affordable Turkish food, enjoy Turkish barbecue at Restaurant Pamukkale Koz, taste Lebanese delicacies at Békaa Libanesisches Restaurant and Restaurant L'Orient or experience Persian cuisine at Restaurant Teheran! If Middle Eastern cuisine is not to your taste, Jawa Restaurant is also a good choice as it offers authentic Indonesian food.
3. Frankfurt
Say hello to the home of museums, fine arts and breathtaking architectural buildings. Beautifully located on the River Main, this old imperial city will bring romance back and have a classic sensation when you're in it! As its city’s skyline is highly influenced by North American culture, it also earns the nicknames Manhattan and Chicago of the Main. If you visit this city, don’t forget to enjoy the Römerberg (Frankfurt's Old Town Center) to witness the city's historical buildings. Goethe House and Museum is a good place for those in fine arts, while Senckenberg Natural History Museum offers a wonderful sensation for those who love museums with modern touches!
The city comprises around 11.8% of Muslims and is one of the most Muslim-friendly cities in Germany. There are four main mosques in the city and they are Pak Muhammadi Moschee, Bait-us-Sabuh, İslamische Gemeinde Mevlana and Islamische Gemeinde Rodgau. Although dominated by Turkish cuisines like Bayram Kebap Haus, Doy Doy Restaurant and Ramo’s Grill & Kebap Haus, you can also taste some Persian delicacies at Kish restaurant. You can just as well satisfy your Asian appetite by visiting Thai Fun to enjoy some of the finest Thai delicacies around ?
4. Munich
Munich is a city that offers you endless tourist attractions such as the landmark Frauenkirche and historical buildings with marvellous architecture in the Altstadt old town. The Tierpark Hellabrunn is the world's biggest zoo; you definitely don’t want to miss this when you visit this beloved city. If you're a fan of nature, you'll definitely be interested in visiting Englischer Garten, a gigantic natural park with iconic swimming holes! Have a taste of Afghan cuisine at Kababji Grill Haus! And if you're into food fusion, El Sham Restaurant offers you a great treat as they are a combination of Arabian food and German food ? If you're looking for a space to fulfil your prayers, drop by one of the most iconic mosques, Mosque Penzberg, and marvel at the traditional Islamic architecture and simple modern designs of this mosque ?
5. London
This city is a must-visit, and we're pretty sure most of you would find it an experience of a lifetime. From iconic Big Ben, the spectacular London Eye, majestic Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and historic Westminster Abbey, this city offers you unstoppable beauty that's to die for! London is also home to more than one million Muslims ? Some mosques you'll have to visit are The London Central Mosque, East London Mosque, Fazal Mosque and Leyton Mosque. There are also some Islamic centres in the city, such as Deptford Islamic Centre, East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre and The Islamic Cultural Centre. As the city has more than one million Muslim residents, halal food is not an issue. Turkish food, Pakistani food, Indian food or Middle Eastern food, you name it, and London has it!
P.S. If you need a guide for your trip to London, we've got you coveredhere!
6. Manchester
Credit: @ mido.khalil1 on Instagram
This city is the centre of arts, media, and higher education! Castlefield, Museum of Science and İndustry, National Football Museum, Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Town Hall all show that Manchester is a crowd-pleaser as it suits all types of travel personalities. Manchester is one of the most Muslim-friendly cities in England! The diversity in Manchester also showcases the variety of halal food this city has to offer. Ranging from Ethiopian delicacy (Habesha), Mediterranean beauty (Petra, Beirut and Jaffa Restaurant), and takeaways (Caspers UK and Kobeda Place), to even a street filled with many other halal food options (Wilmslow Road), you won't go hungry! Also, did you know that there are more than 5 mosques in Manchester? ?
7. Vienna
Vienna is Austria's capital and the largest city, and it's absolutely rich with beautiful sights ? The attractions vary from great palaces such as Schloss Schönbrunn, the uniquely enchanting Riesenrad Ferris Wheel, and the mindblowing Hofburg İmperial Palace! Some famous halal restaurants that you can check out are Quicky’s (halal burgers), Asala Halal (Mediterranean food), Der Wiener Deewan (Pakistani food) and Sen Grill (Turkish barbeque) ? So, has the presence of these halal eateries enticed you to visit Vienna yet ?
8. Barcelona
There are two main reasons to visit Barcelona: You're either a big fan of its famous football team or want to feel the city's romance! Either way, you will enjoy immersing yourself in this fascinating city. Barcelona is a pedestrian-friendly city, so it's great for you to discover the city on foot. The main mosque in Barcelona is Mezquita Tariq bin Ziyad and the two Islamic centres in the city include Centre İslàmic de Barcelona and Minhaj Islamic Center! Bismillah Raval Kebabish (Turkish food), Sabor Persa (İranian cuisine), Lal Qila (Halal Indian food) and Zeeshan Kebabish (Pakistani food) are some of the restaurants you need to check out. Restaurant Malaysia offers comforting Asian staples and if you are up for a good steak, El Asador de Aranda is a must-visit.
9. Paris
Well, this is one of the most romantic cities people have on their bucket lists. And news flash, it's also Muslim-friendly too. The city is packed with iconic attractions such as Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre and Arc the Triomphe. And if you are a fashionista, this city is a dream come true. You can visit some free attractions such as the most haunting spot in Paris, Cimitière du Père Lachaise, or the beautiful waterfront, Canal St-Martin. For your hunt for halal food in Paris, you can taste some Middle Eastern and Mediterranean delicacies at Le Helem and Chez le Libanais (Lebanese), Les Quatre Frères (Arabian) or Pacha Kebab (Turkish). If you're up for some fancy dinners, you can check out one of the best French fine-dining restaurants at Alcazar ?
P.S.Check out our 7 Must-Try Muslim-Friendly Restaurants In Paris article here!
10. Brussels
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and also the capital of the European Union. Most people would think about waffles when they hear about this city, and yes, they DO have some of the most delicious waffles in the world! The city is home to beautiful attractions like Grand Place (Grote Markt), Belgian Comic Strip Center, Place Royale (Koningsplein), Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts and Atomium. Known for its beautiful historical buildings, this city will give you unending pleasures, and you would wish that you would be here again soon☺️ Halal food and mosques are things you should not worry about while travelling in Brussels! The city is packed with so many cultures, and you can easily find Arabian halal food (Bab El Hara) and Moroccan delicacy (Le Livre Jaune) and even Ethiopian halal cuisine (Kokob) in the city!
11. Copenhagen
With so many tourist attractions and most of them within walking distance of each other, Copenhagen is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of all sorts of sights! Nyhavn is a must-visit place where you can feel the city's romance, and marvel at beautiful buildings such as the Christiansborg Palace, Kronborg Castle and Amalienborg Palace! Once you're done with that, get ready to bargain at Strøget, as it's Copenhagen's largest shopping area ? Don't go hungry on your trip! Halal food can also be found at Al-Diwan, Kebabistan (Turkish cuisine) or Kabab-Ji Grill (Mediterranean Cuisine)!
12. Amsterdam
Whether hopping on your bike or taking a canal cruise, Amsterdam will give you the most memorable journey of your life. You'll want to visit over and over again as the beautiful city is home to fine arts, museums and beautiful parks. Not forgetting the countless cafes along the pretty cobbled streets! Don't miss out on The Rijksmuseum, The Anne Frank Museum, or The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam! 14% of Amsterdam’s population consists of Muslims, showing a high growth level compared to the presence of Muslims in the 1990s! Moskee El-Tawheed Amsterdam, Westermoskee Aya Sofya, and Masjid Al-Karam are some of the most notable mosques in the city. Crystal (Steakhouse and Pizza), Restaurant Riaz (İndonesian food), MOZO (Moroccan cuisine), Daarbaand (Persian delicacy) and Istanbul Plaza Doner Kebab (Turkish food) are some of the highlights of halal cuisines in the city. So now you know you won't go hungry on your vacation ?
There you have it! We've provided you with 12 Muslim-Friendly European cities in this article, and now, there's nothing that prevents you from enjoying the beauty of this world. What are you waiting for? Book your tickets and show the world that it's not hard being a Muslim! Did we miss out on any Muslim-Friendly cities in Europe? Let us know in the comments below!?