For travellers who love to explore beyond the ordinary, language islands offer something truly special.
Krzysztof Maksimiuk/Unsplash
These enclaves are where language and identity are preserved. Every street, song and plate of food have a different story to tell. Here’s a journey through five language islands that are worth visiting.
Arbereshe Villages | Italy
In the hills of Calabria and Sicily, Arbereshe villages are living heritage sites. They were founded in the 15th century when Albanian refugees fled Ottoman invasions. Today, these communities speak Arbereshe, a distinct Albanian dialect, alongside Italian, and have preserved centuries-old customs, costumes, and Byzantine traditions.
Villages such as Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo and San Demetrio Corone in Calabria are gateways into this cultural pocket. Narrow cobblestone streets wind past Byzantine churches, traditional houses, and artisan workshops. Music, dance, and festivals (particularly the colourful Easter celebrations), bring the language and traditions vividly to life.
Travel tip: Join a guided tour in Calabria to discover hidden alleys and try local dishes like strangujët, a traditional stuffed pasta that blends Italian and Albanian flavours.
Sorbian Villages | Germany
In eastern Germany’s Lusatia region, Sorbian-speaking villages stand out as cultural gems. Sorbian is a Slavic language surrounded by German speakers, and in towns such as Bautzen and Cottbus, it survives in signage, local life, and festivals.
Sorbian villages are a rich tapestry of traditions, with folk art, colourful costumes, and centuries-old customs still thriving. The region offers rustic charm combined with a sense of deep cultural preservation, making it ideal for travellers who enjoy off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Travel tip: Visit during Bautzen’s annual Sorbian cultural festival, where traditional crafts, music, and food create an immersive cultural experience.
Plautdietsch Mennonite Villages | Paraguay & Mexico
In remote parts of Paraguay’s Chaco region and rural Mexico, Mennonite communities preserve Plautdietsch, a Low German dialect. These settlements were founded by European Mennonites in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking religious freedom and a way of life connected to the land.
Life in Mennonite villages revolves around agriculture, community, and faith. Visitors can explore expansive farms, meet artisans producing handcrafted goods, and witness traditions that have endured for over a century. The language, culture, and food form a living archive of Mennonite history.
Travel tip: Loma Plata in Paraguay and Cuauhtémoc in Mexico offer cultural tours that include visits to local bakeries, workshops, and farms, offering authentic insight into Mennonite life.
Basque Country | Spain & France
Straddling Spain and France, the Basque Country is a striking example of a language island where Euskara — one of the world’s oldest and most mysterious languages — survives. Unlike any other language in Europe, Euskara exists in a region rich with unique culture, cuisine, and identity.
Cities such as San Sebastián and Bilbao blend cultural sophistication with natural beauty. The Basque Coast offers dramatic landscapes and surfing hotspots, while inland villages maintain centuries-old traditions of music, dance, and craftsmanship. Food lovers will delight in pintxos tours and Michelin-starred dining.
Travel tip: Visit San Sebastián’s old town for pintxos and immerse yourself in Euskara culture, ideally during a local festival to experience the language in full celebration.
Italian Enclaves | Eritrea
Eritrea offers a remarkable linguistic enclave rooted in history. Italian enclaves remain in Asmara and coastal towns from colonial times. Italian language, architecture, and café culture survive alongside Eritrea’s own traditions. Asmara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a living museum of 1930s Italian modernist architecture.
Walking Asmara’s wide boulevards feels like stepping into a Mediterranean city of the past. Cafés serve espresso alongside Eritrean coffee ceremonies, art deco buildings line the streets, and the mixture of Italian and Tigrinya languages creates a unique cultural blend.
Travel tip: Take a guided walk of Asmara to uncover its architectural treasures and enjoy a coffee in a historic Italian-style café while soaking in the city’s layered history.
Safety tip: Asmara is safe for tourists to visit, however it is advised to carry your passport and visa with you in case of ID checks by local authorities.
Language islands are cultural landscapes. They preserve the heritage of language and identity, offering travellers an immersive journey through history.
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