When we are shortlisting some specific countries for our next Halal trip, we have to be very considerate. We need to make sure, it has Halal food, the property we are staying at is Alcohol-free, we can go sightseeing and we can see some Muslim historical places and the family has some activities to participate in. Spain checks all these boxes. And what’s more, it is a short hop from any airport in the UK with multiple no-frills airlines offering dirt-cheap airfares. Aside from that, Spain’s proximity to Morocco and Portugal enables you to consolidate many places into a single vacation.
The majestic Spain is a beautiful and historical state, where Muslims from different countries come and enjoy their time. It is the second-largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and the fourth-largest country by size on the European continent, with 505,990 km2 (195,360 sq. mi). Spain held several autonomous regions from the late 15th century or earlier 19th century, but it also had its feet in many pies. Spain held power in sections of Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, and the whole Netherlands – formerly known as Spanish Netherlands from 1556 to 1714 – due to numerous marital alliances and heritage.
Due to the long Muslim rule in Spain from 711 to 1492, the country has a legacy of the Muslim past unlike any other in the European reigion. The Alhambra in Granada, Medina Azahara in Cordoba, Aljafería Palace, the Giralda, Torre del Oro, Alcazaba in Malaga and multiple other monuments dot the Spanish soil reminding of the magnificent Muslim past.
Besides being a traditional top destination for the British travelers, who were around 18 million in 2019, in 2018, about 82 million visitors visited Spain, with around two million Muslims from elsewhere in the EU. According to Euromonitor International, 100,000 Emiratis will explore Spain in 2019. Regardless of the lack of a visa waiver, Saudi visits to Spain surged by 88% over that period. It means many Muslims out from Europe travel Spain, which makes sense that if many Muslim populations are traveling to Spain, there must be things according to Muslims taste, for instance, places, food, etc.
Realizing this potential, Spain seems to have been a trendsetter in Muslim-friendly tourism, establishing new economic prospects such as Halal-certified slaughterhouses, restaurants, and hotels and various unique initiatives such as the Halal Institute, the Acropolis Foundation, and The Halal School.
The Halal tourist is quite picky and is typically motivated by several incentives such as history and contemporary tourism, good gastronomy, beach and hill tourism and shopping. Spain has something for everyone. Spain is now one of the most renowned Muslim and Halal tourist destinations. It blends many factors that Muslim tourists seek, such as art and culture associated with the Arab legacy, Halal meals, architecture and art, tradition combined with the modernism of World Heritage monuments and cities, etc.
We all know about Barcelona, there are also many Muslim-friendly restaurants serving anything from authentic Spanish cuisine to Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Indian and Lebanese, so there is something for everyone! And if you would need a place to pray, go off to Masjid Tariq ibn Ziyad, the city’s largest and most well-known mosque. The Islamic Centre of Barcelona is also a site where Muslims may say their prayers.
Many Muslims live in Spain, particularly in Andalusia, neighborhoods including Albaicin in Granada and Raval in Barcelona will have halal butchers and bakeries. Spain is an excellent halal destination for a vacation, business travel, or city break. That is why it should certainly make it to your list on top for your next trip.