Are you a Muslim traveler planning a trip to London? You are in the right place for the best traveling itinerary to supplement your well-deserved vacation!
London is a world-renowned city rich with history and architecture that is on every tourist’s bucket list. Coupled with a cooling climate all year round and must-try restaurants on every block, the list is endless when it comes to finding things to do in London.
One of the most common questions for many Muslim travelers is: Is London Muslim-friendly? The answer is yes, London is Muslim-friendly with plenty of halal restaurants to choose from and nearby mosques and dedicated prayer rooms.
Let’s pick out some favorites for your British adventure!
Go for a date at the fanciest Michelin-starred restaurants in London for a halal fine dining experience. Frog By Adam Handling and Marcus Belgravia are one-star Michelin restaurants that serve halal meat upon request during reservations.
Embark on a gastronomical experience with each course from the tasting menu with its visually appealing and delicious dishes! Do note that these places serve alcohol.
Location: 34-35 Southampton St, London WC2E 7HG, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
Wed - Fri: 12 pm - 2:30 pm, 5 pm - 11 pm
Tues: 5:00 pm - 11 pm
Closed on Sunday & Monday
Nearest prayer room:
Islamic Centre of Soho (for men) (16-min walk)
Muslim Prayer Room (17-min walk)
Location: The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
Tues - Fri: 12 pm - 2:30 pm, 6 pm - 10 pm
Closed on Sunday & Monday
Nearest prayer room: Mayfair Islamic Centre (11-min walk)
For a couple of hours, you can explore Buckingham Palace, a 150-year-old royal residence that was once Queen Elizabeth II’s former residence. You will gain access to limited areas of the palace such as the State Rooms. There is also a dedicated prayer facility for Muslims at Buckingham Palace.
The palace allows visitors at limited times of the year. If you can’t enter the castle, you can still check out the palace’s iconic event, Changing of the Guards which happens on alternate days at 11 am.
Location: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Price:
Opening hours:
*The State Rooms are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Nearest prayer room:
Image Credit: Chait Goli on Pexels
The London Eye is an observation wheel that is known as one of the most popular tourist attractions. It has 32 eye capsules that can host up to 25 passengers each. Take the opportunity to capture multiple panoramic angles of the London skyline in this 30-minute breathtaking ride.
You can spot many of London’s iconic landmarks, in particular, the 4 different landmarks that can be seen from the London Eye are the House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge. Make sure you book your tickets in advance as it gets sold out fast!
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
Price:
Opening hours: 11 am - 6 pm daily
Nearest prayer room: Prayer Room at St Thomas’ Hospital (6-min walk)
Image Credit: London Central Mosque
There are almost 2,000 mosques and Islamic prayer rooms scattered across London, but if there’s one place of worship you must visit, it’s the London Central Mosque. You will feel at peace in this spacious space and be in awe of its intricate design and architecture.
There is a library, a large selection of religious books at the bookstore, and a restaurant that serves affordable and delicious meals.
Location: 146 Park Rd, London NW8 7RG, United Kingdom
Prayer times: located on their website or refer to HalalTrip's Islamic prayer times tool for London.
History buffs and art gallery lovers, rejoice! There are more than 100 museums in London and the best part? Most of them are free! You will need to book a ticket in advance to enter, and most special exhibits will require a fee. Some of the popular must-visit museums include the British Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum.
The British Museum is a world-class museum that has some of the most comprehensive historical works and collections in the world. Fun fact: it has a small Islamic gallery with archaic findings from the 16th century. There is a prayer room located in the British Museum as well.
Location: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Price: Free
Opening hours: 10 am - 5 pm daily
Nearest prayer room: British Museum prayer facilities
There are more places in London that need to be explored on this list for Muslim travelers. Not to worry, we will cover everything you need to know in our upcoming travel guides. Let us know what you would like to hear more about London!
Cover Image Credit: Dominika Gregušová on Pexels