Berlin for Muslim travellers
Halal-friendly places and activities
Halal travel is a broad term and includes, for example, the availability of halal food or the sensitivity of hosts to the needs of Muslim travellers. Berlin offers numerous places and activities that are of interest to travellers from Muslim countries.
Arrival in Berlin
When Muslim guests arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER they will find various offers that may be of interest to them. In the non-denominational Room of Silence visitors can pray, meditate or simply find peace and quiet. For a relaxing stay, there is also an individually bookable VIP service and stylishlounges with a comfortable lounge area. There are several restaurants in the Food Court, which can serve halal food on request. Travellers with children can take advantage of the BER Family Lane, a separate access to the security checkpoint for families with children up to the age of 5, which can be used by parents and other underage siblings.
Berlin with children
For Families with children, Berlin offers exciting activities. Whether big or small - a visit to one of the two zoo facilities, the themed museums, the creatively designed playgrounds or a climbing or trampoline park, children of all ages will find both educational and physical activities. The most popular attractions with convenient online ticket sales can be found here.
Berlin is cosmopolitan
Berlin is a tolerant and cosmopolitan city that pulsates with life. It is a magnet for people from all over the world - for a tourist visit or to settle down long-term for a new job. Around 8% of Berliners are Muslim and there are around 80 mosques and prayer rooms, particularly in the Kreuzberg neighbourhoods, Wedding and Neukölln. The Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Berlin and the sermons are held in Arabic. Perhaps the most beautiful mosque is the Şehitlik Mosque of the Turkish community, The Türkischer Friedhof, the first Islamic cemetery in Germany, adjoins the mosque, which was built in 1866. Under construction is the House of One, in which three religions will each have their own prayer room under one roof - a place of exchange and dialogue.
Halal offers at hotels
There are numerous accommodations in Berlin that offer halal food or where some dishes are halal. Hotels such as the Grand Hyatt, the Waldorf Astoria and the Ritz-Carlton cater to the special needs of their Muslim guests and offer halal food on request and alcohol-free rooms. Some hotels offer the fitness, spa or sauna area for private hire or completely secluded and provide a private retreat. There are also a wide variety of accommodation options in the city:
Halal offers from restaurants
There are almost 80 restaurants in Berlin that serve halal food. The Arab, Turkish, Indonesian, Indian cuisine is part of the city's rich culinary diversity, where the vegetarian & vegan cuisine sets trends, just like the Starred restaurants awarded by Michelin.
Shopping in Berlin
The shopping opportunities in Berlin are also diverse: From Department shop and shopping mall about Outlet Store to the famous shopping boulevard Kurfürstendamm: From international designer fashion to Berlin fashion label almost everyone will find what they are looking for here. For longer stays or self-catering, we recommend a visit to Sonnenallee in Neukölln, which is also known as "Arab Street". There are Arab supermarkets and patisseries, as well as perfumeries, jewellery and clothing shops where Muslim visitors can buy a hijab or abaya if required.
Museums and events
Perhaps one of the most famous Berliners is the ancient Egyptian pharaoh's wife Nofretete, whose bust in the Neues Museum is admired by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The museum is located on Museum's Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by water in the heart of historic Berlin. Some museums offer guided tours in Arabic and Farsi every Sunday, led by museum guides trained as part of the Multaqa programme. The Islamic Museum, which is also located there, is currently closed for extensive refurbishment. However, just opposite is the Humboldt Forum - a baroque reconstruction of the former Berlin Palace with various permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Modern art from the Arab and Islamic world also touches and moves Berlin. Launched in 2009, the Arab Film Festival Berlin ALFILM is the largest Arab film festival in the whole of Germany, where Arab feature films, short films and documentaries are shown in various cinemas in the city at the start of spring. Berlin's event calendar regularly features concerts by oud virtuosos and Arab pop musicians. International artists perform in the Uber-Arena or the Olympic Stadium, and in the summer months it is worth visiting the charming Wuhlheide open-air stage.
Green capital
In the centre of the city and out into nature - that's no contradiction in Berlin! With its numerous green spaces, rivers and lakes, Berlin is one of the greenest capital cities in Europe. The parks, gardens and forests offer the opportunity for a picnic or a leisurely stroll, while the park cafés are great places to eat and drink in the open air. Day trips to the Brandenburger Umland of Berlin are just as attractive, The S-Bahn takes you to Potsdam in just one hour and you can explore the parks and palaces there. The Sanssouci Palace was built in the 18th century as the summer residence and retreat of Prussian King Frederick II.
Medical destination Berlin
Many Muslim travellers visit Berlin to take advantage of the city's wide range of medical services. Berlin has an excellent global reputation in the field of cutting-edge medicine and is home to the Charité, Europe's largest university hospital, which is regularly ranked among the world's top 10 hospitals by the weekly Newsweek. Every year, around 17,000 to 21,000 international patients come to Berlin for inpatient and outpatient treatment. The German capital offers them the entire spectrum of modern medicine for the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. visitBerlin maintains a 6-language portal with www.berlin-health-excellence.com, which provides information on more than 30 medical facilities and 80 doctors and specialists. Patients can use filter functions to find the right clinic or doctor and contact the clinics directly with their documents without the need for an intermediary.
Whether spring, summer, autumn or winter
The German capital is attractive in all seasons. We recommend a visit to the cosy Christmas markets in the winter months as well as the lively cafés and outdoorevents in summer. Every corner of the city comes alive and surprises visitors with live music or dance performances in the open air. Why don't you come back a second time, Berlin says Ahlan wa Sahlan - Welcome!