There’s something so breathtaking and freeing about going on road trips. You can decide which route to take, what to see, and how long to stay at each spot. From the sun-kissed highways facing the wide ocean view of the Southern Ocean to serene routes that weave through the cultural riches of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we invite you to try out these Muslim-friendly routes to explore the diverse beauty while enjoying halal dining options and convenience of prayer facilities. Buckle up, and let’s hit the road for an unforgettable adventure!
Image credit: Nur Qa'riah
Duration: 2 to 4 days | Approximately 243 km
Road Terrain: Narrow, winding, and paved
Recommended season: Summer (March to April)
Starting the list with a road trip is the iconic coastal drive of the Great Ocean Road. You can easily complete a two-day weekend road trip down the Great Ocean Road and head back to Melbourne. However, the longer you have, the more you can see, as there are many sights to see off the main road.
Great Ocean Road Sections (From Torquay to Allansford)
There are many must-visit attractions, including Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Erskine Falls, and Split Point Lighthouse. Along these sections on the Great Ocean Road, the towns mentioned above are the major stops you can consider making your base for the trip or perhaps even at the seaside towns and villages, including Anglesea, Airey’s Inlet, Lorne, and Port Fairy.
While driving on the Great Ocean Road, grab a bite at Lorne Fish & Chips. If you’re not feeling up for seafood, they also offer Halal kebab! However, it’s worth noting that the opening hours may occasionally differ from those listed.
Address: 42 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232, Australia
Halal-status: All the meat they use is Halal-certified
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 to 20:00
If you’re planning to include the Great Ocean Road as part of your trip, you can check out this 8-day itinerary from Sydney to Melbourne, which includes a day trip to the Great Ocean Road.
Duration: 1 to 3 days | Approximately 108 km
Road terrain: Mix of paved and off-road gravel
Recommended season: Summer (November to March)
If you’re not a fan of long hours on the road but still want to enjoy epic landscapes of lakes, forests, and breathtaking alpines, go on a Patagonia road trip out of Bariloche along the iconic Argentina Ruta 40. The road trip can be done in a day or more slowly at your own leisure to really take in the many viewpoints.
Route of the Seven Lakes (From Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes)
The Seven Lakes
As one of Argentina’s most scenic drives, surrounded by lakes and valleys, each season will offer you a different charm of scenery, such as the colorful foliage during autumn from April to June and snow during winter from June to September.
Note that the peak season for Argentinians is in January and February, so the hotels would require a minimum of 5 nights. And don’t worry, Route of the Seven Lakes is one of the road trip routes you can explore with a tour group if you’re not a driver.
Duration: 3 to 4 days | Approximately 354 km
Road terrain: Paved
Recommended season: Spring (March to May) / Autumn (September to November)
Apart from the gorgeous destination of Berlin, take a drive through the Alpine foothills. A little historical background to how the German Romantic Road came to be, this formal “route” was created in 1950 to rebuild the tourism industry post-war. This trail idea easily became popular for combining the historic cities of Würzburg and Augsburg, as well as the highlights of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps.
There are two ways to go on the Romantic Road (or Romantische Strasse in German). It’s recommended that you start from Füssen if you’re coming in from Munich or from Würzburg if you’re coming in from Frankfurt.
The Romantic Road Sections (From Würzburg to Füssen)
During your stop in Rothenburg, there’s the Süleymaniye Moschee, where you can do your prayers.
Address: Johannitergasse 18A, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Whilst on the road, there are 29 villages with abundant history, art, and culture for you to check out. Here’s a list of all the villages along the way:
Image credit: rigel on Unsplash
Duration: Up to 1 week | 560 km
Road terrain: Narrow, mix of winding and curvy, mix of paved and off-road gravel
Recommended season: Spring (March to May) / Autumn (September to November)
Morocco is a Muslim-friendly destination where the majority of the locals are Muslim, and Marrakesh is home to major tourist attractions in Morocco. Bringing you to the gateways of the Sahara Desert, the High Atlas Mountains are one of Morocco’s most challenging roads, so if you’re looking for a thrilling ride, this road trip might just be the one for you. Compared to the routes above, the High Atlas Mountains route is more prone to weather conditions, such as potential rockfall due to an earthquake.
High Atlas Mountains Sections (From Marrakesh to Füssen)
The highlight of this route is the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, and it is a mountain pass that runs straight through the Atlas Mountains and the historically famous Aït Benhaddou, which is used as the backdrop for many films like “The Mummy” and “Game of Thrones.”
It’s possible to rent a car from the Marrakesh International Airport, but if you’re not comfortable with it, you might consider getting a private driver or taking a guided road trip instead. You can also check out this 10-day expedition, which will allow you to experience the different charms of the Atlas Mountains.
Image credit: David Guenther on Unsplash
Duration: 2 weeks | Approximately 1,080 km
Road terrain: Paved
Recommended season: Spring (March to May) / Autumn (September to November)
As an island nation, Taiwan is a great place to go on a road trip. The roads are known for being safe, where you can easily reach beautiful coastlines and vibrant cities. While it is possible to complete the road trip within a week, it is recommended that you take your time getting around the island, as Taiwan has so much to offer.
Taiwan Island Loop Route
From paragliding in Nantou to seeing the famous Sun Moon Lake, each city has its own unique cultural experience for you to try. And to make it even better, Taiwan has consistently ranked in the top three as one of the Muslim-friendly destinations. In every city stop, you can find a Halal restaurant and mosque/prayer room to ease your mind during your journey.
If you’re wondering what to do in Taipei, check out this 4 day Taipei package that brings you through the heart of Taiwan to get you started on things to do.
And that is the list of the best places to take a road trip! Each route serves as a means of travel and a gateway to rich experiences, allowing you to connect with nature, history, and the vibrant cultures that grace our world.
