Medina Travel Guide: Al-Masjid an-Nabawi and the Prophet's City

Important: Medina is accessible to Muslims only. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city under Saudi law, enforced at checkpoints on all approach roads. This restriction covers the city of Medina and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Non-Muslims may not enter, regardless of purpose.

Medina — Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (the Radiant City) — is Islam’s second holiest city after Mecca. It was the city to which the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca in 622 CE (the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar), and it became the first Islamic state. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi — the Prophet’s Mosque — was built here and contains his tomb.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is the second holiest mosque in Islam and one of the largest in the world, capable of accommodating more than 1.5 million worshippers simultaneously. The mosque was originally built by the Prophet Muhammad himself upon his arrival in Medina. It has been expanded by successive rulers over 14 centuries.

The distinctive Green Dome marks the location of the Prophet’s tomb within the mosque — specifically within the Rawdah (the Garden of Paradise), an area between the minbar and the tomb that the Prophet described as a garden of paradise. Visiting the Rawdah is among the most sought-after experiences in Islamic pilgrimage.

See the full guide to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi for detailed information on the mosque’s history, layout, and visiting etiquette.

Other Holy Sites in Medina

Quba Mosque is the first mosque built in Islamic history, constructed by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE upon his arrival. It is 5 kilometres south of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. A prayer here is said to be equivalent to Umrah in reward. From the Prophet’s Mosque, a taxi costs SAR 15–20; a free shuttle bus runs from the mosque area during peak pilgrimage periods.

Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Mosque of the Two Qiblas) is the site where the Prophet received the revelation to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca during prayer itself — making this mosque historically unique.

Mount Uhud is 5 kilometres north of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the site of the Battle of Uhud (625 CE). The battlefield and the graves of the martyrs — including Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle — are visited as a historical and devotional site. Entry is free. Guided heritage tours are available from operators near the mosque entrance, from SAR 80 per person, covering the battlefield, the martyrs’ graves, and the historical context of the battle.

Getting to Medina

By air: Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport receives direct flights from across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. For Muslim pilgrims holding Umrah or Hajj visas, this is the standard entry point.

By the Haramain High-Speed Railway: Medina station connects to Jeddah (2 hours 10 minutes, from SAR 75 second class) and to Mecca (2 hours, from SAR 80). Tickets are booked at haramaintrain.sa — book in advance during Ramadan, Hajj, and school holiday periods when trains sell out days ahead. The Madinah station is modern and integrated with the adjacent Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel.

Most pilgrims combine Medina with a visit to Mecca, which is the standard sequence for Umrah and Hajj itineraries.

Where to Stay in Medina

Hotels in Medina cluster tightly around Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Proximity to the mosque is the primary factor — the closest properties command significant premiums, particularly during Ramadan and Hajj.

Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick: Attached directly to the Haramain railway station and within easy walking distance of the mosque. From SAR 400 per night in non-peak periods, rising sharply during Ramadan.

Dallah Taibah Hotel: A well-regarded mid-range option 3 minutes’ walk from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. From SAR 350 per night — one of the better-value properties this close to the mosque.

Oberoi Medina at Madinah Hilton: A 5-star option with premium services. From SAR 800 per night during non-peak periods; significantly higher during Ramadan and Hajj season.

Book as far in advance as possible for Ramadan — rooms within walking distance of the mosque can sell out months ahead.

Where to Eat in Medina

Near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi: Al-Baik, the Saudi fast-food institution, has multiple branches near the mosque and is invariably packed immediately after prayers. The menu centres on crispy fried chicken and shrimp — fast, affordable, and reliable. Kudu, another Saudi fast-food chain, offers burgers and wraps and provides a quicker alternative to Al-Baik queues.

Traditional Hijazi food: The old market area around the mosque contains traditional restaurants serving saleeg — white rice slow-cooked in meat broth, a Medina speciality that appears on nearly every local table. Mandi lamb (slow-roasted in an underground pit) is the other dish to seek out; the best versions are in smaller, unlabelled restaurants in the covered market streets rather than hotel dining rooms.

Al-Noor Mall food court: A practical option for quick meals with a wider variety of cuisines, particularly useful if cooking for different tastes within a group. The mall is a short taxi ride from the mosque area.

For a full breakdown of things to see and do in Medina beyond the main mosque, see the Medina things to do guide. For accommodation options near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, see the where to stay in Medina guide. For dining recommendations, see the Medina food guide. Browse Medina tours and experiences for guided heritage tours covering the mosque, Mount Uhud, and the historic sites of the Prophet’s city.

See Also

• Al-Masjid an-Nabawi guide — full guide to the Prophet’s Mosque
• Umrah guide — how to plan a pilgrimage visit to Medina and Mecca
• Mecca vs Medina — comparing the two holy cities for pilgrims
• Getting around Saudi Arabia — Haramain Railway from Jeddah to Medina
• Saudi Arabia visa guide — which visa type covers visits to Medina