Madinah is the second holiest city of Islam, officially named Al Madinah Al Monawarah, which means “The Enlightened City”. It is also the capital of Medina Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. Besides being the second holiest city, it is the fifth largest city of the Kingdom by population. As it is one of the most important cities in Islamic history, it is famous for being the final resting place of the last Islamic prophet Muhammad, as his burial site is located within the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, also known as The Prophet’s Mosque. Uhud Mountain, Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery, Masjid al-Fath, al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque, and Masjid al-Qiblatayn are some of the most prominent landmarks of Madinah.
Madinah experiences a Hot Desert Climate, with an average temperature of around 35-37°C during summer. Due to being an excessively hot city, winter is ideal for traveling to Madinah, as the temperature is around 23 °C during winter, with a minimum of 15°C. Meanwhile, during summer, temperatures can reach up to 42°C.
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, located around 20 km from the city center, is accessible via direct and connecting flights from various locations. To reach the city center, travelers can opt for taxis or airport shuttles, both taking approximately 20 minutes.
Madinah offers a variety of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy both local and international dishes. But when you dine, be aware that most of the restaurants close for prayer for about 30-45 minutes at noon, sunset, and an hour after sunset. Besides international fast-food chains, you can easily find many alternatives in the city, you can try authentic street food like shawarma, ta’amiyya, foul with tameez, and roasted whole chickens. If you want examples of international cuisine, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish, and Egyptian restaurants are among the favorites. For local fast-food alternatives, you can try Al Baik, Kudu, or Hardees.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi: One of the most important landmarks in Islamic history. It is the second mosque built in Madinah and the second largest and holiest mosque in Islam after Masjid al-Haram.
Masjid Quba: It is believed that was the first mosque ever built, during the lifetime of the prophet Muhammad, after he emigrated to Madinah.
Mount Uhud: This is the battle site between the prophet Muhammad and his supporters and Quraysh, a polytheist clan that controlled Mecca.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn: It is a mosque that is believed to have received the command to change Qibla to Mecca from Jerusalem.
Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery: It is the oldest and one of the holiest Islamic cemeteries of Madinah.
Dar Al Madinah Museum: One of the important heritage landmarks, that specializes in the history of the city and the prophet. Ideal for history enthusiasts, as has a collection worth visiting.
Madinah is the second holiest city of Islam, so the best thing to do is to visit religious sites, like al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Masjid Quba, Mount Uhud, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery, and Dar Al Madinah Museum. If you are interested in Islamic history, architecture, and culture, these places are some of the best spots to visit.
Madinah doesn't have a nightlife due to the prohibition of alcohol in the city. Nevertheless, you still can enjoy its growing entertainment scene with numerous cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and international restaurants where you can have authentic Arabic coffee and “Hasawi Mint”, which is quite a famous mint tea.
Numerous souvenir shops are scattered throughout different parts of Madinah, especially the shops lining on streets leading to the Prophet’s Mosque. The most famous souvenirs in Medinah are prayer rugs, tasbihs (prayer beads), caps, abayas, clocks that call to prayer, and more. Besides these, you can always check Souk Khudra or Quba City Market for an authentic shopping experience with numerous types of herbs, spices, carpets, perfumes, ceramics, fabrics, and incense that would make great souvenirs.
Festival of Cultures and Peoples
Winter at Tantora Festival
22 February - Saudi Founding Day
23- September - Saudi National Day
Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al-Adha
Ensuring your skin is covered with lightweight, breathable fabric is essential due to the constant presence of the sun.
Demonstrating public displays of affection with your partner is discouraged.
Women should adhere to clothing guidelines that include covering their shoulders and knees.
Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the Prophet’s Mosque and will be denied entry unless proper documentation is shown.
In Madinah, you can use taxis, rented cars, or buses to get around the city. But buses are not as commonly used as taxis. Taxis, on the other hand, are the most common way of transportation, as there are a variety of options, like regular taxis, cab services like Uber and Careem, and most hotels, and malls have shuttle services.