At Halal Holidays we strive to find muslim friendly travel destinations, regardless of whether it is a muslim or a non-muslim country. Ideally, for many, they seek a holiday that consists of cultural experiences, incredible scenery or locations, and delicious halal food that will create lasting memories.
What should one expect from a halal holiday destination?
A Muslim holiday destination is any travel location that meets all or some of the needs of a muslim traveller. Whilst the needs of muslim traveller varies as people have diverse preferences, there are a few common requirements.
The three essential needs of halal-consicious travellers when in search of a halal holiday destination covers the following:
Prayer Facilities
Easy access to prayer facilities is among the most important requirements for halal vacations. These prayer facilities can come in the form of prayer rooms in locations such as malls, airports and museums.
Although praying in hotel or Airbnb rooms may suffice for some, the majority of Muslim travellers look forward to experiencing mosques in different countries.
Therefore, destinations with mosques at a short distance from tourist attractions and hotels are preferred.
Halal Food
Likely to be the MOST important on any muslim travellers’ list, finding certified Halal restaurants and hotels that serve halal food makes the trip more convenient. Especially, if you’re travelling to a non-Muslim country and want to try the local dishes, it can sometimes be hard to find halal versions.
Encountering Islamophobia
It is unfortunate that we have reached a time when muslims need to verify if a travel destination is safe to visit. Whether it is the safest Muslim countries to visit or countries that one may encounter less islamophobia, we’re looking for a place where we can enjoy our trip without worry. Particularly for Muslim women travellers, this is a primary concern, along with destinations that have no hijab or niqab requirements. That’s why we are ensuring that any halal destination we recommend includes it being hijab-friendly.
Here is our 7 incredible muslim friendly holiday destination
1. MALDIVES
As far as halal tourism destinations go, the Maldives archipelago of islands may just be the perfect one. As a Muslim country, travellers in the Maldives are always not far from halal amenities.
A country consisting of about 1190 little, tropical islands, divided into separate atolls. These tiny specks of gems in the Indian Ocean offer some of the best beaches in the world. Surrounded by water of all shades of blue, the beaches feature powder-white sand and shade of lofty palm trees.
Maldives boasts a diverse array of marine-life, even right at the shores. By taking part in excursions such as diving or even snorkelling, you can spot manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins and more!
Arguably Maldives has been said to be the most beautiful Islamic resort island destination in the world. Regardless of your budget, you can experience the same ‘paradise-like’ scenery.
For the luxury holiday experience, there are the opulent Maldives Halal Resorts that feature halal restaurants and beach villas with private pools. With a variety of properties, the Maldives is a place for an all inclusive holiday. If you’d like a more affordable alternative, opt for a stay in one of the 185 local islands. The inhabited islands offer a completely Muslim-friendly environment where halal food in the Maldives is easily accessible. In addition, you get to meet the amazing locals and immerse yourself in their culture. A great choice activity is the Maldives Island Hopping tour.
2. MALAYSIA
An award-winning Muslim holiday destination and voted as one of the best Muslim tourist destinations, with a muslim population of roughly 60% it is expected that a trip to Malaysia will cover all the needs of a Muslim traveller.
To start, it is virtually impossible to be short of extremely delicious food in Malaysia. Some of the best meals reported by travellers on Tripadvisor were eaten in the island of Penang, arguably the “food capital” of Malaysia. The mouth watering choices are endless!
What makes the country and its food special is the fact that Malay, Indian and Chinese locals all contributed to the food scene. These three main cultures are woven into the fabric of this country, and they’re harmoniously intertwined.
One can rest assured that all the hotels and resorts in Malaysia are used to catering for Halal-conscious travellers. You can find many, especially those in the East Coast of Malaysia, that are alcohol-free establishments.
A location worth mentioning in Malaysia is the island of Langkawi. Situated in the northern west coast of Peninsular Malaysia on the Andaman sea not far from the border of Thailand, Langkawi Island offers incredible beauty, rare wildlife and spectacular activities. A great option for a Honeymoon destination. The island offers romantic settings with a variety of beautiful resorts.
3. TURKEY
Istanbul is the 8th most visited city in the world, with a whopping 20 million tourists in 2023.
As a result, Turkey has become one of the MOST popular halal holiday destinations.
Situated in between Asia and Europe, Turkey offers a unique contrast in its landscape as well as culture. The country is surrounded by four different seas, with each corner offering a different experience.
With so much history, heritage and culture, it is easy to see why it is attracting so many both Muslim and non-Muslim visitors. It also offers a variety of fantastic experiences for both adults and children.
Turkey’s halal tourism has sky-rocketed in recent years with new openings of hotels and resorts that offer an alcohol-free environment. Certain properties like Wome Deluxe provide Women-only beaches.for the discerning women travellers.
Halal restaurants in Turkey are fairly common although you may not spot the ‘Halal sign’ or certifications. Food in Turkey will certainly be one of the highlights of your holiday. From meze platters consisting of hummus, cheese, olive oil and meat-filled crispy pastries to tender kebabs marinated to perfection.
The History and heritage of Turkey is amongst one of the oldest in the world dating back to the Ottoman Empire in 1683 AD that controlled most of Southeast Europe, West Asia and North Africa. The country boasts 17 breathtaking sites that are included in the UNESCO’s WORLD Heritage List. One of which is the Grome National Park and the rock of Cappadocia.
Cappadocia, an unearthly region, sculpted by erosion, is renowned for its landscape and unusual rock formations. Travellers enjoy taking a hot air balloon over this world renowned landscape to get a bird-eye view of the region.
4. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai is another world traveller’s favourite for places to see and be seen at ‘insta-worthy’ locations. It was just a dry dessert less than 40 years ago but now boasts some of the world’s iconic modern architecture landmarks
The UAE may be the most liberal and laid-back out of the Gulf nations, but you can rest assured that it is Muslim-friendly. When you zoom out of Dubai and view the rest of the six emirates, you’ll start to get a real sense of this oil-rich country.
Let’s start with the capital, Abu Dhabi.
The term Abu Dhabi means “Father of the Gazelle”, which originates from the abundance of these animals in the region. This family-friendly and modern city offers a range of attractions and activities that will delight any traveller. It’s even an ideal holiday destination for Muslim families.
Discover in Abu Dhabi the largest and most grand mosque in the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al Nahyan Grand Mosque. With the capacity to hold 41,000 people, the mosque is an Islamic architectural masterpiece with design influences from past empires such as Persian and Mughal.
As an ideal halal beach holiday destination, the UAE offers countless beaches all around the country. From Dubai’s world-renowned Jumeirah Beach and Palm Island to the ladies-only Al Bateen beach in Abu Dhabi.
For those who want to experience the expanse of the desert and life in the past, head out to Liwa Oasis. Located at the edge of Rub Al Khali (the Empty Quarter), Liwa Oasis is the birthplace of the rulers of the country and is beloved by all locals. Every July, the Liwa Date Festival takes place to celebrate the country’s national fruit.
5. INDONESIA
Indonesia’s vast array of islands offers up an immense selection of natural escapes and experiences. This sprawling nation nestled between the Indian and Pacific Oceans boasts over 17,000 islands.
With the fourth largest population in the world, it’s easy to be tricked into thinking that this country is all chaos and mayhem. But take the trip of a lifetime to a secluded island getaway and you might just find yourself lost in its tranquillity. Being the largest Muslim-majority country on the planet, halal food is the norm and mosques can be found by the truckload throughout the islands. Different regions in Indonesia offer varying experiences. Bali, having a majority Hindu population, Muslim-friendly services are hard to come by. However, 25 miles east of Bali, is Lombok, also known as The Island of a Thousand Mosques.
Indonesian cuisine echoes the ethnic diversity of the country. Middle Eastern, Chinese, Javanese and Indian cultures have all left their mark on Indonesian food, so there’s definitely something to tempt everyone’s palate. The uniqueness of godo-godo or Lotek salad sits side by side with familiar skewered satays on the tables of Indonesia. Gulai curry atop fluffy white rice, decadent plates of Nasi Goreng and mouth-watering soto soups all promote Indonesian cuisine’s love for the savoury, the sweet, the sour and the spicy.
Whether you visit the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, or islands such as Lombok, the archipelago of Raja Ampat or the Gilis, Indonesia offers rich cultural experiences in a Muslim-friendly manner.
6. THAILAND
Thailand, or The Land of Smiles as it’s known, is a very reliable holiday destination as it is an economy dependent largely on tourism.
Islam is the second biggest religion in Thailand with roughly 12% of the country being Muslims. Note that, the further south you are in the country, the greater the number of Muslims present. This is because southern Thailand borders Malaysia. To paint you a picture, in Phuket, there are more mosques than Buddhist temples.
Can you have a halal-friendly trip to Thailand?
Definitely!
As a safe country for Muslims, Thailand casually provides all the amenities you can expect from a Muslim halal holiday. From ample prayer facilities, halal food and hotels, you never have to travel far to find convenience.
7. SINGAPORE
Possibly the world’s most innovative country, Singapore is Asia’s number one destination for great food and a good time. The city and island of Singapore is small in size but offers a large number of travel experiences.
Not only for vacations, but Singapore is also a top Muslim-friendly country for work and study.
Similar to Malaysia, Singapore consists of a melting pot of cultures primarily Chinese Singaporeans, Indians and Malays. Because of that, the culinary scene in Singapore is like no other.
Regular visits to hawker centres are typical of all locals. These hawker centres are known to whip up the country’s best dishes for an affordable price. Dishes such as the national dish, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab and Hokkien Mee, are all a must-try in Singapore.
Transport is super efficient and convenient in this epic halal-friendly country. The great thing about travelling in Singapore is that you can do so much in a day, thanks to the MRT train system.
On a typical day in Singapore, you can enjoy a walking trail through treetop jungle bridges and visit the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens. If shopping is your thing, Orchard Rd is where you’ll find high-street designers.
Masjid Sultan is the country’s most iconic mosque and can easily be spotted by its grand, golden dome. Built-in 1824 for the Sultan at the time, this beautiful mosque is worth stopping by to pray. The mosque is conveniently right next to the popular Haji Lane, a hotspot for trendy café, boutique stores and plenty of murals.
Which of the Halal holiday destinations will you visit?
So, there you have it, our Halal destination shortlist. It is by no means the only offerings because at Halal Holidays, we personalised your halal holiday packages to suit your preference and travel occasions. Whether it’s a holiday for individuals, couples, families or a company trip, our team is on hand to help plan a memorable trip.
Get in touch with us to enquire about a halal holiday to any of the countries mentioned.