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Hotels in Medina

The city of the Prophet's Mosque, the green dome and date palms

Medina

LanguageArabic
CurrencySAR
TimezoneAsia/Riyadh
Temperature20-42 °C
Dial Code+966
Population36.4M
Area2,149,690 km²
SocketsType G / Type A / Type B / Type F
Tap waterBottled advised

Discover Medina

Medina, in Arabic al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, lies about four hundred and fifty kilometres north of Mecca in an oasis ringed by volcanic hills and is the second holiest city in Islam. The Prophet's Mosque stands here, with the Green Dome over the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, and in 622 the city became the first Muslim community after the Hijra. Muslim pilgrims come during Umrah and Hajj to pray in the mosque and to visit the sites of early Islam: Quba, the battlefield of Uhud and the Al-Baqi cemetery. Most of the city is open to non-Muslims, but the fenced area around the Prophet's Mosque remains closed to them. Medina is calmer, cooler and easier to navigate than Mecca, you cover far more of it on foot, and the hotels are cheaper. It is twenty minutes from the airport and two and a half hours from Mecca on the Haramain train.

What to see

The places worth your time in Medina, and what to expect at each

The Prophet's Mosque

city centre

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is the second-largest mosque in the world and stands on the site of the Prophet Muhammad's house. It holds over a million worshippers, has dozens of minarets and, on its courtyards, hundreds of large umbrellas that open each morning to give shade. It is open around the clock and its entrances are numbered like those of the Haram in Mecca.

Tip: It is quietest in the afternoon heat and after midday outside Fridays; busiest after the dawn prayer and on Friday afternoons. Entry to the fenced area is open to Muslims and closed to non-Muslims.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1–2 hrs

Rawdah ash-Sharifah

inside the Prophet's Mosque

The section inside the mosque between the Prophet's tomb and his pulpit, marked by a green carpet and described in a hadith as one of the gardens of paradise. Visiting is reserved for pilgrims with a permit, capacity is limited and entry is allocated in time slots, separately for men and for women.

Tip: The permit (tasreeh) is obtained through the Nusuk app — book it as soon as you land and leave yourself a margin, as slots are allocated by capacity. Shoes come off at the entrance and photography is not allowed.

Admission:
permit through Nusuk
Time needed:
15–30 min

The Green Dome

Prophet's Mosque

The Green Dome rises above Aisha's chamber and covers the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad and his first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. It was painted green in the nineteenth century, having been white and blue before. Pilgrims greet the Prophet at the tomb with a short prayer; no one may touch it.

Tip: The greeting (salam) is given from the passage beyond the railing — do not push, as the line moves smoothly. The dome photographs best from the south side of the courtyard after sunset.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
20 min
Quba Mosque

Quba Mosque

south of the centre

The first mosque in the history of Islam, built by the Prophet Muhammad on his arrival in Medina in the suburb of Quba. According to tradition, two rak'ahs of prayer here carry a reward like a small Umrah. The present building is newly restored, with four minarets and white domes, and stands about five kilometres south of the Prophet's Mosque.

Tip: Go after the dawn prayer, when it is calmest; the bus from the centre takes ten minutes and a taxi costs about thirty riyals. If you want the reward, perform ablution before you leave the hotel.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
45 min
Masjid al-Qiblatayn

Masjid al-Qiblatayn

northwest of the centre

The Mosque of the Two Qiblas is where, according to tradition, the Prophet turned from facing Jerusalem to facing Mecca during prayer, which gives it its name, 'two directions'. The present building has two mihrabs, the old and the new, and stands on a hill northwest of the centre of Medina.

Tip: The approach is jammed at prayer times. A weekday morning is calmest. The car park is small, so go by taxi or with a tour.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
30 min
Mount Uhud

Mount Uhud

north of the city

A mountain north of Medina at whose foot the Battle of Uhud was fought in 625 between the Muslims of Medina and the army from Mecca. The cemetery of the seventy martyrs lies here, including the Prophet's uncle Hamza. The mountain is large and reddish-brown, the summit cannot be climbed, and a visit is limited to the cemetery and the battle site.

Tip: Visit in the morning, while it is still below 40°C. A taxi is easy, but agree the price and the waiting time in advance — you often cannot find one for the return.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1–1.5 hrs
Al-Baqi Cemetery

Al-Baqi Cemetery

next to the Prophet's Mosque

A cemetery right beside the Prophet's Mosque, where many members of the Prophet's family and companions are buried. The graves are simple, without headstones, as Islam discourages grand tombs. Entry is for men, women greet from outside the wall, and it is open after the morning and afternoon prayers.

Tip: The access rules change, so follow the guards at the gate; keep silent and do not take photos. It is best to stop in the morning before breakfast.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
20–30 min
The Seven Mosques

The Seven Mosques

west of the centre

A group of small mosques at the foot of Mount Sal' on the site of the Battle of the Trench (627), when Medina repelled a siege from Mecca. Today several restored small mosques stand here and the area is laid out as a small park. It is a quiet place on a hill with a view over the surrounding oasis.

Tip: Go before sunset, when the mountain casts shade and the view of the city is best. Parking is limited and often full at weekends.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
30–45 min

Hejaz Railway Museum

northwest of the centre

A museum in the old station building of 1908, where the Hejaz Railway from Damascus terminated. It displays steam locomotives, carriages and photographs from the time when pilgrims from the Levant travelled this way. It is an air-conditioned stop away from the bustle of prayer.

Tip: A good break in the hottest hours of the morning; opening times vary, so confirm them at your hotel. The locomotives photograph best from the platform in the afternoon.

Admission:
varies, up to SAR 20
Time needed:
1 hr

Photos: Quba Mosque — Unknown authorUnknown author (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Masjid al-Qiblatayn — Aiman titi (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Mount Uhud — Bintladen (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Al-Baqi Cemetery — Saleh Al Hussain (CC BY 4.0) · The Seven Mosques — Imam Khairul Annas (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Markaziyah (by the mosque)

Best for: within five minutes of the mosque

Hotels and towers immediately around the Prophet's Mosque, mostly four- and five-star. You have the mosque below your windows and reach prayers without travelling; the main value is being within five minutes. In Ramadan and during Hajj rates surge and rooms fill months ahead.

Salam and Aqiq

Best for: quieter stays within walking distance

Districts ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the mosque. Hotels are cheaper, the choice of restaurants is wide and the streets are less crowded. Suits families and older travellers who do not want to pay for a view.

Quba

Best for: greenery and the Quba Mosque nearby

The southern suburb around the oldest mosque in Islam, with hotels in a calmer and greener part of the city. A bus or taxi takes ten minutes to the centre and prices are lower than by the mosque. A good choice for a longer stay.

Near Haramain station

Best for: arrival by train, cheap rooms

The area around the station and the ring road, with hostels and hotels that run a free shuttle to the mosque. The cheapest option, but with about a quarter of an hour to the mosque and a wait for the bus before prayers.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

The nearest airport is Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International (MED), about fifteen kilometres from the Prophet's Mosque. Direct flights from Europe are rare, and most travellers connect in Istanbul, Doha or Jeddah. The Haramain train runs from Mecca and Jeddah and stops at a station northeast of the centre. Umrah and Rawdah permits are arranged through the Nusuk app.

Medina – Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) · 15 km

  • Taxi from the airport to the centre· 25 min· SAR 70
  • Organiser's coach or hotel shuttle· 35–45 min
  • Haramain train from Mecca or Jeddah· 2.5 hrs

Around town

The area around the Prophet's Mosque is covered on foot: courtyards and streets are air-conditioned and cars have restricted access. For places outside the centre, such as Quba or Mount Uhud, use a taxi, Uber or Careem, or the hop-on-hop-off bus. Agree the price and the waiting time in advance.

On footHotels within ten minutes of the mosque, air-conditioned courtyards.
Taxi and UberTo Quba, Uhud and the station; agree the fare in advance. · SAR 15
Hop-on-hop-off busA loop of the main holy sites. · SAR 40
Haramain trainTo Mecca or Jeddah, book at hhr.sa.

Useful apps: Nusuk, Tawakkalna, Uber, Careem, Google Maps

When to go

Medina lies at about six hundred metres and is cooler in winter than Mecca. From November to February daytime highs are around 25°C, falling to about 10°C at night. From May to September it is over 40°C in the shade. Rain is scarce, with an occasional short winter downpour. Pilgrims come all year round, most of all in Ramadan.

Best time

November to February

What to avoid

June to September (heat above 40°C) and the last ten days of Ramadan (crowded)

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day24°26°30°35°40°43°44°43°41°37°30°25°
Night11°12°16°21°26°28°30°29°27°22°16°12°
Rainy days213310000122

Food & drink

Medina's food is gentler than Mecca's and offers home-style dishes around the Prophet's Mosque and in small restaurants in the side streets. Dates belong to the city: tonnes are sold around the mosque, and Medina is home to the ajwa variety, which Muslims regard as blessed. Alcohol is not sold in Saudi Arabia.

What to try

Ajwa dates

Dark, soft dates from the Medina oasis, regarded as blessed. A kilo costs from forty to a hundred and fifty riyals, depending on quality. The cheapest are at the market near Quba, not in the shops by the mosque.

Bukhari rice

Rice with lamb, carrot and raisins, cooked in a tomato stock. One of the most popular celebration dishes in the Hejaz, found in every local diner in Medina.

Haneeth

Lamb slow-roasted in a deep pot with spices and served with rice. A dish from southern Arabia that Medina has adopted and eats at weekends.

Mutabbak

A fried stuffed flatbread with meat, egg and onion, sold on the street and in cafés. A cheap lunch for twenty to thirty riyals.

Ful and tamees

Fava bean dip with olive oil and lemon, served with warm tamees bread. A typical breakfast in the small diners by the mosque.

Aseeda

A dough ball of wheat flour served with honey or butter and dates, a home-style dish. In Medina it is served in Ramadan and at celebrations.

Sobia

A Hejazi drink of fermented oats and milk with sugar, served in Ramadan to break the fast.

What it costs

1.5 L bottled water in a shop

SAR 2–3

Espresso in a café

SAR 12–18

Lunch in a local restaurant

SAR 20–40

A kilo of ajwa dates

SAR 40–150

Taxi from the airport to the centre

SAR 60–90

3★ hotel within five minutes of the mosque (night)

SAR 250–600

5★ hotel by the Prophet's Mosque (night)

SAR 700–2,500

Train ticket to Mecca

varies by class and season

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsGBritish, three rectangular pinsAtwo flat pins (US/JP)Btwo flat pins plus ground (US)FSchuko
Voltage220V / 60Hz
Tap waterTap water is treated, bottled is common — Tap water in Medina is not for drinking; bottled water is cheap and Zamzam is often available in the mosque. In the heat drink two to three litres a day.
TippingTipping is not obligatory; taxi drivers and hotel staff are given a rounded-up fare or ten to twenty riyals. Begging is prohibited — give to official collections.
Driving on theright
SafetyMedina is calm and safe, and the main risk is heat and dehydration. Carry your passport or Nusuk and your hotel's name. Do not trust unofficial taxi drivers in the airport hall. The emergency number is 911, ambulance 997.
Opening hoursThe mosque is open around the clock, and shops around it close for about thirty minutes at prayer times. Most restaurants stay open until midnight, and in Ramadan until dawn. Al-Baqi cemetery is open only after the morning and afternoon prayers.
Customs & etiquetteEnter the mosque without shoes and with your phone silenced. Non-Muslims may not enter the fenced area around the Prophet's Mosque and the Rawdah. At the tomb do not touch the enclosure and do not photograph people praying. Men wear loose long trousers, women long clothing and a headscarf.
A few local wordsPeace be upon you — As-salamu alaykumThank you — ShukranPlease — Min fadlak / Min fadlikHow much is it? — Bikam?Where is the mosque? — Ayna al-masjid?Please help me — Sa'idni min fadlakYes / no — Na'am / La

How to plan your days

1 day

A day in Medina

  1. 1Morning after the dawn prayer at the Prophet's Mosque.
  2. 2Visit the Green Dome and give the greeting at the tomb in the line behind the pilgrims.
  3. 3Break in the air-conditioned hotel.
  4. 4Afternoon at Quba Mosque and the Mosque of the Two Qiblas.
  5. 5Evening prayer at the Prophet's Mosque and a stroll in the courtyard.

2 days

Two days: the mosque and the battle sites

  1. 1Day one as above.
  2. 2Day two: Mount Uhud and the cemetery of the seventy martyrs.
  3. 3Afternoon at the Seven Mosques on the site of the Battle of the Trench.
  4. 4Evening: buy ajwa dates and pray at the mosque.

3 days

Three days: Medina and surroundings

  1. 1Days one and two as above.
  2. 2Day three: the Hejaz Railway Museum and your booked slot in the Rawdah through Nusuk.
  3. 3Afternoon farewell to the mosque and souvenir shopping.
  4. 4Evening Haramain train to Mecca or Jeddah.

Day trips

Mecca

450 km · 2.5 hrs by train

The holiest city in Islam, where many pilgrims go after Medina. The Haramain train runs from Medina via Jeddah Airport, reaching Mecca in two and a half hours; Umrah is performed in Mecca.

Khaybar

170 km · 2 hrs by car

An oasis north of Medina with forts and lava fields from the Prophet's time. There is an old fortress, wells and the lava fields. It suits a half-day trip by car with a guide; there is no public transport.

AlUla

350 km · 4 hrs by car

A valley with Nabataean tombs at Hegra, a UNESCO site, with sandstone cliffs and an oasis. It is a long day or a weekend trip; non-Muslims are welcome. From Medina it is reached by car or by air.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-Muslims enter Medina?+

Yes, most of the city is open. The fenced area around the Prophet's Mosque, including the mosque itself and the Rawdah, remains closed to non-Muslims. Outside it they can move freely and visit some historic sites, but the rules are adjusted from time to time, so check with your hotel or on Nusuk.

How do I get a permit for the Rawdah?+

The permit (tasreeh) is arranged through the Nusuk app. Time slots are allocated separately for men and for women, capacity is limited and it usually has to be booked in advance. The permit is checked at the entrance and the visit to the Rawdah takes about a quarter of an hour.

How long should I stay in Medina?+

Most pilgrims spend two to four nights in Medina, enough to pray in the mosque, visit the Rawdah and see the main sites. On Umrah, Medina is often combined with Mecca, for ten to fourteen days in total. Leave a margin for waiting for the permit.

When is the best time to visit?+

The most pleasant time is November to February, when daytime highs are around twenty-five degrees. In summer it is over forty degrees and in Ramadan the crowds are largest. Outside the main seasons the mosque is calmer and hotels are cheaper.

Where should I stay near the Prophet's Mosque?+

Closest is the Markaziyah district, with hotels within five minutes' walk. Salam and Aqiq are ten to fifteen minutes further and cheaper, and Quba is calm and green. When booking, check which gate is nearest and whether the hotel offers a shuttle.

How do I get from Mecca to Medina?+

The most comfortable way is the Haramain train from Mecca via Jeddah Airport to Medina in about two and a half hours. A bus or taxi takes four and a half to five hours. Tickets are booked at hhr.sa or in the app and sell out before major holidays.

What should I bring to Medina?+

Light loose clothing, comfortable sandals or lace-free shoes, an umbrella or hat, a water bottle and a small backpack. Women bring a headscarf, men long trousers. Winter nights drop to about ten degrees, so bring a light jacket.

What should I buy as a souvenir?+

The most typical are ajwa dates, prayer beads, prayer mats and perfumes. They are cheapest near Quba and at the market by the main road, not in the shops right by the mosque. For pricier goods check the origin — many prayer beads come from China.

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police999Ambulance997Fire998

Language

Arabic

Currency

SAR

Timezone

Asia/Riyadh

Dial Code

+966

Population

36.4M

Area

2,149,690 km²

Voltage

220V / 60Hz

Driving Side

Right

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