European Muslim-Friendly Cities where to spend your next holidays

European Muslim-Friendly Cities where to spend your next holidays

European Muslim-Friendly Cities where to spend your next holidays

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.

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 the shopping enthusiasts to the 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 Central Mosque

Credit: @2funyaman on Instagram

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?

Elbe Filarmoni Salonu, Hamburg

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!

Islamisches Zentrum

Credit: @zicoalbaiquni on Instagram

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!

Römerberg

Credit: Scott Jungling on Flickr

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.

Bayram Kebap Haus

Credit: @thecherrycross on Instagram

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!

Frauenkirche

Credit: Sven Wusch on Flickr

Have a taste of Afghan cuisines at Kababji Grill Haus! And if you’re into food fusion, El Sham Restaurant offers you a great treat as they are a combination between 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 🤩

Mosque Penzberg

Credit: Islamic Art and Architecture on Facebook

P.S. Why not explore beyond these popular cities of Germany and check out Tubingen, a city that’s almost entirely vegan! Check it out here to find out more!

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, spectacular London Eye, majestic Buckingham Palace, 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!

Credit: Bang-Lish on Facebook

P.S. If you need a guide for your trip to London, we’ve got you covered here!

6. Manchester

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 Townhall

Credit: Stephen on Flickr 

Ning Restaurant

Credit: @thepastimebliss on Instagram

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!

Riesenrad

Credit: @binarymeow on Instagram

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) 😍

Quicky’s Burger

Credit: @ramicup on Instagram

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. A bonus point is that you can stay away from the bustling tourist bus?

Nou Camp Stadium

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. Restaurant Malaysia offers comforting Asian staples and if you are up for a good steak, El Asador de Aranda is a must-visit.

Sabor Persa

Credit: Sabor Persa on Facebook 

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.

Eiffel Tower

Credit: @see.capture.remember on Instagram

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!

Credit: @travellensdiary on Instagram

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☺️

Atomium

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 🤩

Strøget, Copenhagen

Credit: Lucky Girl Kris on Flickr

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 😉

El Tawheed Mosque

Credit: @hussin_momentomda on Instagram

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.

Written by Have Halal Will Travel

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The old Mosque of Cordoba

The old Mosque of Cordoba

The Medieval Mosque of Cordoba

Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral is a stunning monument to the two religions and cultures that have shaped Andalusia: Islam and Christianity. A Renaissance church squats right on top of what was once the most important mosque in the Islamic kingdom, making this building a must-see for anyone visiting Córdoba.

The site was originally home to a Roman temple, which was later replaced by a Christian Visigoth church. In 711, when the Moors took Andalusia from the Christians, the Visigoth structure was divided into two halves and used as a place of worship by both Muslims and Christians – a remarkable act of tolerance, given the fervor of the times. But the reign of religious pluralism in Córdoba didn’t last: in 784, on the orders of the Emir Abd al-Rahman I, the church was destroyed and work on a great mosque began. Construction lasted for over two centuries and, when the building was completed in 987 with the addition of the outer nave and courtyard, Córdoba’s mosque was the largest in the Islamic kingdom, save only for that of Kaaba in Arabia.

Photo by waldomiguez, pixabay

When construction was in its final phase in the late 10th century, the Islamic kingdom – under the Omega Caliphate – was at its most powerful. To reinforce Moorish might in Spanish Christian territories, the feared warrior Al-Mansur embarked on a violent rampage through northern Spain and, upon entering Santiago de Compostela, he conceived of an ingenious way in which to outrage his enemies. First, he rode straight into the city’s cathedral on horseback and let his steed drink from the holy font; as if that weren’t insulting enough, Mansur then had the building’s bells removed and transported to Córdoba, where they were melted down and made into lights for the city’s mosque.

The famous double-arches in the mosque’s main hall; Amoniaq, pixabay

In 1236, Córdoba was recaptured by the Christians. King Ferdinand III immediately ordered the mosque’s lanterns to be transported back to Santiago de Compostela, where they were converted back into bells for the city’s cathedral. Subsequent Christian monarchs altered and added to – but never demolished – the mosque, resulting in the hybrid structure that remains.

In the mid-13th century, King Alfonso X oversaw construction of the Villaviciosa and Royal Chapels (the latter of which was rebuilt by Henry II in the 14th century). And in the 16th century, Charles V added the great Renaissance nave right in the middle of the Mezquita. Apparently, though, he was disappointed with the result.

The mosque’s most-photographed aspect is its vast main hall, which is supported by over 850 double-arched columns. Showing no respect for their forbears, the Moors plundered the site’s Roman and Visigoth remains for the jasper, onyx, marble and granite needed to build them – just as, in the early 11th century, they would use material from Malaga’s great Roman amphitheater to build the city’s Alcazaba fortress. The iconic and somewhat hypnotizing double-arch feature was the result of architectural necessity since with single-arch columns (about seven or eight feet high) the immense roof would have been too low. Sunlight and shadows create unusual effects as you wander amongst them, contemplating the troubled history of this great building.

Guide to Mosques, Prayer rooms and Musallahs in Spain

Guide to Mosques, Prayer rooms & Musallahs in Spain

Find a Masjid near you

 

Barcelona

Mosque Abi Ayoub Elansari Barcelona
Carrer de Massanet, 5 , 326 , Barcelona ,Spain

Mosque Hanza Barcelona
Mosque Hanza
Carrer de Almenara Alta, 12 , 326 , Barcelona ,Spain

Mosque Madni Barcelona
Mosque Madni
Carrer de Paloma, 7, Barcelona ,Spain

Mezquita Tariq Bin Ziyad Barcelona
Mezquita Tariq Bin Ziyad
Carrer de l’Hospital, 91 08001 Barcelona Spain

Mosque Rahma Barcelona
Mosque Rahma
Camí Cadena, 17, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, B…

Sufa­ Centre Barcelona
Sufa­ Centre
Carrer de Pere Llobet, 3, Barcelona, Spain

Mezquita de las Tornerías Toledo
Mezquita de las Tornerías Travesía de la JuderÅ

Al Risalat Masjid, Marbella Marbella
Al Risalat Masjid 58 Calle de la Apartada Marbella 29…

Al Iman Masjid, Madrid Villalba
Al Iman Masjid C / Francisco Martin 12 Collado Villal…

Tarek Ibn Ziad Masjid, Madrid Madrid
Tarek Ibn Ziad Masjid C/ Nalderasa Madrid 28001 Madr…

Al Taqwa Mosque Granada
Placenta del Correo Viejo, 4 18010 Granada, Spain

Mezquita de Granada Granada
Pz. San Nicolas, S / N | 18010 – Granada

Fundaciónn Mezquita de Sevilla Seville
Plaza Ponce de León, 9, Sevilla

M-30 Mosque. Madrid
Salvador de Madariaga, 4

Carrer de les Mosques Barcelona
08003 Barcelona Spain

La Gran Mezquita de Valencia Valencia
Calle Palancia, 5 46021 Valencia Spain

Centro Islámico de Torrent Valencia
Calle San Ernesto, 12-16 46900 Torrent, Valencia Spain

 

Fermín Font Mezquita Valencia
Fermín Font Mezquita
Calle de Sicilia, 9 12540 Villarreal Castellón, Spa…

Carrer Lluis Mezquida Valencia
Carrer Lluis Mezquida
46132 Almà ssera Valencia, Spain

Centro Cultural Islámico de Valencia Valencia
Centro Cultural Islámico …
Calle Arquitecto Rodríguez, 19 46019 Valencia Spain

Mezquita Ishbilia Seville
Mezquita Ishbilia
Edf. Amate Av. Carlos Marx, 1 41006 Sevilla, Spain

Centro Islamico de calpe Benidorm
Centro Islamico de calpe
Calle Delfín, 1 03710 Calpe Alicante, Spain

Mezquita de Málaga Malpica
Mezquita de Málaga
Calle Ingeniero de la Torre Acosta, 3 29007 Málaga …

Mezquita de Fuengirola Malpica
Mezquita de Fuengirola
Av de Santa Amalia, s/n 29640 Fuengirola Málaga, Sp…

Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba Cordido
Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba
Calle del Cardenal Herrero, 1 14003 Córdoba Spain

Mezquita Ihsan Palma de Mallorca
Mezquita Ihsan
Carrer del Regal, 99 07008 Palma Illes Balears, Spain

Comunidad Musulmana de Tenerife Playa de las Americas
Comunidad Musulmana de Tener…
Av Juan Carlos I, 30 38650 Cristianos (los) Santa Cruz…

Masjid Assalam Bilbao
Masjid Assalam
Begoñazpi, 1, Bilbao, 48006, SPAIN

Badr Mosque Bilbao
Badr Mosque
C/ Fica, 12-14-16, Bilbao, BIZKAIA 48006, SPAIN

Masjid De Renteria San Sebastián
Masjid De Renteria
Errenteria, Gipuzkoa, Spain

MASJID AL Momin Torremolinos
MASJID AL Momin
C/ Hoyo, Edir el Congreso, local 11, 12, 13, Malaga, T…

MASJID YOUSEF IBN TACHAFIN Ibiza Town
MASJID YOUSEF IBN TACHAFIN
C/ Carres de Baleras, 30, Baleares, Ibiza, SPAIN

Moulvi Idris Mosque Ibiza Town
Moulvi Idris Mosque
Ibiza, Spain

Comunidad Islámica Elche Alicante
Comunidad Islámica Elche
Lope de Vega, 75, bajo

Mezquita de Fuengirola Marbella
Mezquita de Fuengirola
Av de Santa Amalia, s/n 29640 Fuengirola Málaga, Sp…

Centro Islamico de Barcelona Barcelona
Centro Islamico de Barcelona
Carrer de Rafael Capdevila, 1, 08018 Barcelona

Mesquieta Sant Pere de Ribes
Mesquieta
Carrer Salvador Dalí, 57, 08810 Sant Pere de Ri…

Mosque of Cordoba – Cordoba, Spain Córdoba
Mosque of Cordoba – Cordoba,…
Calle del Cardenal Herrero, 1, 14003 Córdoba, S…

King Abdul Aziz Mosque Marbella
King Abdul Aziz Mosque
Urbanizacion Lomas Marbella, 5, 29602 Marbella, Málag…

Comunidad Islamica Jovenes Lloret de Mar Lloret de Mar
Comunidad Islamica Jovenes L…
Carrer Camí de les Cabres, 30, 17310 Lloret de Mar, G…

Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla Spain
Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla
Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla, Plaza Ponce de León, …

Mosque of Cristo de la Luz Toledo
Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
Calle Cristo de la Luz, 22, 45003 Toledo, Spain

Mezquita de Jerez Cádiz
Mezquita de Jerez
Calle Miguel Hue, 1, 11408 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádi…

Basharat Mosque Córdoba
Basharat Mosque
Mezquita Basharat, 14630 Pedro Abad, Córdoba, Spain

Madrid Central Mosque A Airoa
Madrid Central Mosque
Calle Anastasio Herrero, 5, 28020 Madrid, Spain

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