June Holidays: Best Muslim-Friendly Destinations For Families

Every student’s favourite month is near and the semester break is fast approaching. The June holidays are an opportune time to spend with your loved ones, whether you decide to escape for a short getaway or travel further to the West.

Nothing beats the feeling of having a wonderful support system right at home. So, what better way to foster stronger bonds than by travelling together as a family! If you’re clueless to where you should venture next month, check out some of these Muslim-friendly hotspots perfect for family retreats.

1. Bali, Indonesia

Many of us living in Asia enjoy heading to Bali for a short beach getaway. However, unbeknownst to most, Bali can be a great family destination! Instead of heading over to overpopulated Kuta or Seminyak, travel to laidback Nusa Dua. As one of the more child-friendly areas in Bali, Nusa Dua is great for families who intend to chill and laze by the beach or in their resorts.

Despite being a predominantly Hindu area, there are still tons of Muslim-friendly activities in Bali. While in Nusa Dua head over to the Masjid Ibnu Batutah, which is located along the same street as the Hindu temple and a Christian church. One of the must-visit restaurants here has to be the Raja’s Balinese Restaurant which serves authentic Balinese food. You simply have to sample their Bebek Betutu!

2. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Instead of heading over to Kuala Lumpur for your next Malaysia getaway, opt for somewhere slightly further to get the ultimate Borneo experience. Sabah allows you and your family to revel in the outdoors. From animal conservations centres to island hopping at the Tengku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, this will be a great experience to allow children to spend more time outdoors than facing a screen.

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, seemingly built over the lagoon is also a sight to behold. Feeling peckish? Halal food is definitely easy to come by in Sabah. Don’t miss out on the delectably fresh seafood at Gayang Seafood Restaurant!

3. Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Since it takes less than an hour to cross the border, spending your family vacation in Johor Bahru is no doubt a good idea (especially for those lazy planners). With a plethora of halal food to choose from, you need not worry about where your next meal should be.

There are also many family-friendly theme parks now in Johor Bahru such as Legoland, Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark and MCM Studios Indoor Theme Park. With Grab now easily available, you don’t have to worry about transport too! Getting from one point to another in Johor Bahru will be a breeze and budget-friendly.

4. Hong Kong

Slowly but surely catering more of their tourism towards Muslim travellers, Hong Kong is an up and coming Muslim-friendly vacation spot. There are many family-friendly activities here to occupy your family throughout the trip. With fun-filled theme parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, you can easily spend an entire day here!

There are a couple of halal-certified restaurants sprawled all over Hong Kong, serving authentic Chinese food. Try the quaint Hung’s Chinese Restaurant. Known for their crispy roasted chicken, it will definitely be a treat for your tastebuds.

5. Seoul, South Korea

With the widespread popularity of Korean dramas and music, the K-Wave is definitely here to stay. There are many enjoyable activities which you may choose to partake in with your family. Why not bring your children to the Children’s Grand Park or Lotte World! If theme parks aren’t their cup of tea, head over to Anseong Farmland where you can experience slow-paced farming life.

When in Seoul, you’ve got to savour some authentic Korean cuisine. For authentic halal Korean food, head over to Eid in Itaewon. You can easily find halal-certified food and Muslim-friendly accommodations in this part of Seoul.

6. Tokyo, Japan

Japan is another travel destination where Muslim travellers can immerse themselves in the unique Japanese culture.  At the Ninja Trick House, you can unleash your inner ninja with shurikens and swords. Otherwise, head over to Sanrio Puroland where you can spend an entire day meeting your favourite Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody and Gudetama.

No trip to Japan is complete without devouring some authentic Japanese food. At Naritaya in Asakusa, you’ll get the opportunity to slurp ramen with freshly made noodles. What more, this halal-certified restaurant also has its own prayer room!

7. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a popular Muslim-friendly travel destination due to its bustling night markets and quirky cafes. But Bangkok is not just for young millennials, it’s also a great spot for a family vacation. Fantasia Lagoon Water Park is a great family-friendly attraction to visit as it caters to people of all ages. From baby pools for toddlers to long slippery slides for daring teenagers, there’s something for everyone here.

At Samat Muslim Food in Pratunam, this humble store serves one of the best authentic Muslim-Thai cuisines. Their best seller has to be the Tom Yum and the Papaya Salad. The food here is not only fresh but also highly affordable.

These are just some of the Muslim-friendly travel destinations you may head to during the June holidays. With June approaching fast, it’s best to book those tickets as soon as possible! So what else are you waiting for? Happy travelling

Also read: Muslim Travel Essentials: 5 Things You Need for Your Next Holiday