//
Second-holiest city in Islam and Capital of Medina Province, Saudi Arabia
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Medina (Arabic: المدينة, Madinah), officially known as Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (Arabic: المدينة المنورة, al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah), is a city in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, المسجد النبوي
The Masjid Nabawi, or the Prophet's Mosque, is the second most important pilgrimage site in Islam, where devout Muslims offer prayers. Men are allowed to visit the burial site of the Prophet and pay respects throughout the opening hours of the mosque, which used to close for the night at around 10PM but has since become 24/7. Women may visit only after the Fajr or dawn and Duhr or afternoon prayers, when they are taken there in groups according to their countries. Non-Muslims may enter the mosque compound and may be able to enter the mosque with a guard's permission. But the Prophet Muhammad's burial site that lies inside the mosque is off-limits to non-Muslims.
Jannat al-Baqī, ٱلْبَقِيْع
A huge graveyard, where most family members and companions of the Prophet are buried. It is only open for a few hours each day. The entrance is at the western side of the graveyard; non Muslims can enter as it's not part of the fenced Prophet's Mosque complex. You walk along a linear path that winds through the graveyard, and guards are stationed at various points along the path. For religious reasons (discouraging ritual veneration of the dead), the graves are largely unmarked, and taking photographs or lingering along the path is discouraged (albeit not explicitly prohibited) by the guards.
Other things to be seen, a little away from the city, are the plains and mountain of Uhud where the battle took place. There is also the burial ground of the 70 martyrs of this battle including the Prophet's uncle Hamza who is considered one of the greatest martyrs of all time.
Further away is the Masjid al-Qiblatayn where the Quran recounts that the Prophet was ordered by Allah to turn his face from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah while offering prayers.
Masjid Jumua where the Prophet prayed the first Jumua or Friday prayers.
Masjid Gamama where once he had prayed for rain.
This is either the oldest mosque in the world or the second-oldest, and dates from the time of the Prophet Muhammad. New construction was added in 1984.
One of few non-religious sites in Medina, this museum showcases the history of Medina from prehistoric to modern time.
A smaller, private museum that hosts a number of models of old Medina.
قصر عروة بن الزبير
المعرض والمتحف الدولي للسيرة النبوية والحضارة الإسلامية
This museum uses models, holograms and video to present a minutely detailed view of the Prophet’s daily life and character.
It offers spacious and air-conditioned serviced apartments, all of which has a telephone, cable TV and bathroom. Amenities Include currency exchange, dry cleaning/laundry, and safe deposit boxes. While staying here you can visit some tourist spots like Masjid Al Nabawi, Qiblatayn Mosque, and Masjid Musallah.
It offers air-conditioned suites with bathroom, cable TV and phone. Amenities include currency exchange, dry cleaning/laundry, and safe deposit boxes. While staying here you can visit some tourist spots like Masjid Al Nabawi Al Sharief, Qibalatin Mosque, and Baqi ‘Al-Gharqad.
Has 357 rooms with free Wi-Fi and a TV. There is a cafe that works from 10AM to 11:45PM and two restaurants on-site. Parking is free of charge.
فندق اوبروي المدينة المنورة x
Previously the Sheraton, this is the only branded hotel in Medina open to non-Muslims. It is near the airport and often used by airline crew.
By plane
For pilgrims, the most common route is to arrive in Jeddah by plane, and get on a special pilgrims' bus to Mecca and Medina, and come back to fly home in a couple of weeks.
By bus
The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) runs luxurious buses several times daily to and from most parts of the country at cheap rates. There are also privately run buses.
By train
Medina is linked with Jeddah and Mecca via high-speed railway. Services are frequent, with up to 15 departures per day in each direction.
By taxi
If you are on the side of the road, you might find locals willing to pick you up and take you to your destination for a fee, even though they are not officially taxis, but beware of con artists from…
By shuttle
There is a shuttle (looks like a train of golf carts) that runs along Qiba Road between the Prophet's Mosque and the Quba Mosque.
By bicycle or scooter
Careem operates bicycles or scooters you can rent through the App.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Medina · International · MED
Loading places around the airport…
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.