Islam's second holiest city, calm and devotional
Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, built around the Prophet's Mosque where the Prophet Muhammad is buried. Most visitors are Muslim pilgrims, often combining it with Umrah in Mecca. Non-Muslims may visit the wider city on a tourist visa, but the Prophet's Mosque and its marked sacred precinct are for Muslims only.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The Prophet's Mosque, with the Green Dome over his tomb, is Islam's second holiest site. Its courtyards have huge mechanical umbrellas for shade.
Free; Muslims only, Rawdah access needs a Nusuk permit.
Said to be the first mosque built in Islam, about 3 km south of the center. Praying here is a cherished tradition for pilgrims.
Free; prayer hall for Muslims.
Site of the Battle of Uhud in 625, with the graves of its martyrs. The red mountain overlooks the plain.
Free.
A busy market selling dozens of local date varieties, including ajwa. Sellers usually let you taste.
Free to browse.
The mosque where tradition says the prayer direction changed from Jerusalem to Mecca. Its name means mosque of the two qiblas.
Free; prayer hall for Muslims.
The old Ottoman station at the end of the Hejaz Railway, restored as a museum. It holds locomotives and archive photos.
Check opening and fees.
A museum on the history and architecture of Medina with detailed models. It is near the mosque.
Paid entry.
An interactive exhibition on the life of the Prophet. It uses screens and models.
Check entry.
A cluster of small historic mosques linked to the Battle of the Trench. A larger new mosque stands nearby.
Free.
A valley north of the city known for an apparent gravity effect on cars. It makes a quirky drive.
Free.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Add Masjid al-Qiblatayn, museums and the Hejaz Railway station. Non-Muslims can focus on stops 3 to 10.
Nabataean tombs of Hegra, open to all visitors.
205 mi · Car or flight, about 4 hours by road
Site of the Battle of Badr.
93 mi · Car, about 2 hours
Best: November to February. Mild days instead of extreme summer heat.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
No season note for this month.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Shifts about 11 days earlier each year (around mid February to mid March in 2026)
The busiest and most spiritual time, with packed night prayers.
Dhu al-Hijjah, shifting yearly
Many pilgrims visit Medina before or after Hajj.
Saudi Arabia is at US State Department Level 3 (reconsider travel) for terrorism and regional risks; Medina itself has very low street crime, and strict local laws apply.
The area around the mosque is pedestrianised; elsewhere the heat and roads favour cars.
Buses link key sites and the Haramain high-speed train connects to Mecca and Jeddah; taxis and apps fill gaps.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: pilgrims, families
Hotels right by the Prophet's Mosque, Muslims only for the inner precinct.
Best for: families, budget
Calmer, near Quba Mosque.
Best for: non-Muslim visitors, budget
Outside the sacred precinct with good access by car.
| Main airport | Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International (MED), 12 mi from the center |
| To the center | Airport shuttle buses run to the Prophet's Mosque; taxis and app rides take about 20 to 25 minutes. |
| Around town | Walk near the mosque, then use taxis, Careem or Uber for Quba and Uhud. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Careem |
Prized dark dates grown in Medina.
Spiced rice with slow-cooked meat.
Light cardamom coffee served with dates.
| Plugs | Type G, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tipping is not required; small tips for porters and drivers are appreciated. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are widely accepted. |
| Etiquette | Dress very modestly; women usually wear an abaya near religious sites. Respect prayer times when shops close briefly. |
Known as Yathrib before Islam, the oasis town welcomed the Prophet Muhammad after his migration from Mecca in 622, the Hijra that starts the Islamic calendar. It became the first capital of the Muslim community. The Prophet's Mosque has been enlarged many times, most dramatically under the modern Saudi state. Today the city hosts millions of pilgrims each year.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.