A Country Within A Country: Five of Europe’s Most Interesting Ethnic Enclaves
It’s not just a European thing, of course—most major cities around the world feature small, self-contained ethnic communities within their urban confines. These subsects act as miniature versions of the city their residents hail from, bringing a proverbial “piece of home” to a new frontier. For locals, the communities are nostalgic and familiar; for tourists, they offer fascinating insight into a specific aspect of a cosmopolitan city’s culture. They also offer an oft-welcome departure from the traditional flavors, scents and sounds found in other neighborhoods. Here are five of Europe’s most charming ethnic enclaves, each a distinct country-within-a-country:
Chinatown, Paris
There are actually several Chinatowns (or, in French, quartiers chinois) in Paris, but the largest and most well known is located in the 13th arrondissement. The area actually represents multiple Asian communities, from the Avenue de Choisy to the Porte d’Ivry. It is home to nearly 50,000 Chinese, Vietnamese and Laotian nationals, as well as immigrants from French Polynesia, French Guiana, and New Caledonia. This means that the culinary and retail offerings are incredibly diverse; while the neighborhood may not be an obvious tourist destination, it is definitely worth visiting for its handful of famous landmarks (La Bibliothèque Nationale de France is here, as is the quaint district of La Butte aux Cailles) and fantastic Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants.
Recommended hotels in Paris: the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, the Champs Elysees Mac Mahon
Little Venice, Mykonos
Mykonos’ Little Venice (Aleukantras) is easily identified by its rows of brightly painted colors; the intense hues are an obvious departure from the whitewashed façades typically found around Greece. The picturesque neighborhood, located just to the east of the harbor, stretches from Aleukantras’ beach to the old district of Castle. It is widely considered to be the island’s most romantic neighborhood—fitting, considering what its namesake city is most famous for. Little Venice offers spectacular sunset views, a high concentration of art galleries and workshops, and plenty of delicious Italian cuisine.
Japantown, Düsseldorf
The Japantown of Düsseldorf, Germany is the largest in Europe; while this may at first be a surprising distinction, it actually makes sense—the European headquarters of many Japanese corporations are located in Düsseldorf, and so the city has become a prime destination for Tokyo’s traveling businessmen. With them, the visitors have brought many customs—and many restaurants. The authentic Japanese pubs and sushi bars are concentrated around Immermastr. This is also where you will find many travel agencies, appliances and other business designed specifically to cater to the expat community. As a tourist in Japantown, you may be most interested in the local grocery stores, bakeries, and ramen shops.
Recommended hotels in Düsseldorf: the Holiday Inn Düsseldorf Königsallee, the NH Düsseldorf City-Center
Little India, London
Southall is literally and figuratively one of the most colorful parts of London. It is where you will find the city’s largest population of Indian and Pakistani expats—you will find women in vibrant saris, strolling past pavement food stalls selling fragrant samosas and Indian sweets, and brightly hued fabrics draped across shop windows. Traditional bhangra music wafts from homes and businesses, added to illusion that you are not in London anymore. The best time to visit the Southall area is definitely during Diwali, the Festival of Lights; however, Little India has a lot to offer year-round. Be sure to pay a visit to the Sri Guru Singh Gurdwara, the largest Sikh temple outside of India.
Little Karachi, Oslo
One of the most up-and-coming ethnic communities in Europe is Oslo’s Little Pakistan, or Little Karachi (or, technically, Grønland.) Quickly growing into a fashionable neighborhood, this part of the Norwegian capital brims with culture and activity. It is home to a number of shops, bars, and restaurants that celebrate the flavors and traditions of Pakistan as well as other parts of the globe. There are also beautiful mosques here, and a recently completed opera house that has contributed to the area’s growing popularity. Today, Little Karachi is a trendy place for Oslo’s younger residents to live, work, and play.
Recommended hotels in Oslo: the Thon Hotel Astoria; the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo
