The first three articles in this series focused on Gurdwaras in the UK, this fourth part looks a little further afield at continental Europe. While the Sikh population is significantly smaller in continental Europe than it is in the UK, countries like Italy and Spain host rapidly growing communities. This has led to a growth in the number of Gurdwaras in those countries. This is also true in countries with smaller Sikh populations like Ireland, France and the Netherlands. In this article I explore 5 Gurdwaras in continental Europe. You can read read the rest of the series by following these links:

Part 1: Gurdwaras in the Midlands
Part 2: (More) Gurdwaras in the Midlands
Part 3: Gurdwaras in London & the South East

Update: I originally posted this in 2018 but I've updated in 2022 following another visit
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

• No issues with airport security when landing or leaving Rome Fiumicino airport on two different occasions
• Saw only one other Singh during my 4 days in the city, but locals are welcoming and although not as multicultural as London or New York, it is still an open, cosmopolitan city
• Capital and largest city in Italy with a history stretching back 3,000 years including being the foundation of the Roman Empire
• Main Sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Villa Borghese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, Aventine Hill, Via dei Coronari, Trastevere

Known as the Eternal City, the Capital of the World and the first ever large metropolis, Rome as a city is almost unparalleled in terms of its history and impact on the western world.

I decided to spend a few days discovering the history and story of the city with tips from locals born and raised in the city and found Rome to be one of my favourite cities that I have visited - both as a general traveller, and as a Sikh.

Update: I originally posted this in 2018, but have updated in 2022 following another visit
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

• One of the strangest cities in Europe, with an eclectic mix of history, culture, beauty, art and seediness.
• No issues at all with airport security, and Schiphol Airport has modern scanners so you don't remove liquids or laptops either.
• Not the cheapest city to visit, but better value than cities such as Zurich.
• In the spring time, full of UK stag parties clustered around the Red Light District, but locals are fine, although there is a growing nationalist movement.
• Main Sights: Westerkerk, Anne Frank House, the many museums, two Gurdwaras, canals, Amsterdam Arena, Vondelpark, Red Light District

Update: I originally wrote this article in August 2020 following my first visit to Brittany where I visited many of these cities, towns and villages. I returned in February 2022 visiting both Dinan and Treguier which I have added here.
Airport Rating n/a
Reception of locals ***
Cost: £££

• Home of the Breton people and one of the six recognised Celtic nations
• More agricultural and less industrialised than most parts of Western Europe, with a greater cultural homogeneity than larger French cities
• No troubles travelling around as a Sikh, but don't expect to see any other Sikhs or even broader South Asians
• Places visited: Ploumanac'h, Perros-Guirec, Guingamp, Rennes, Laval, Lannion, Dinan, Treguier, Bourbriac, Pont-Melvez

5 years ago, the thought of visiting a quiet village in a region where brown people are a rarity wasn't something that I'd have wanted to do. But, as I get older, the moments away from packed beaches and big cities are actually quite nice. 

I've written a post on Brittany (which you can read here), and a detailed post on Ploumanac'h, the most beautiful village in the region (which you can read here). I've tried to take the best of both articles and cover my favourite things in this article. I haven't included Mont Saint-Michel (because technically it's in Normandy) but you can read about it in my detailed Brittany article linked to above. Here are 5 things I loved about Brittany.