About Madinah
Medina, officially al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, also known as al-Madinah an-Nabawiyyah and Taybah, is the capital, administrative centre, and largest city of Medina Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. It is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, and one of the oldest and most important places in Islamic history. The population as of 2022 is 1,477,023, making it the fourth-most populous city in the country. Around 58.5% of the population are Saudi citizens and 41.5% are foreigners. The city joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2024. Located at the core of the Medina Province in the western reaches of the country, the city is distributed over 589 km2 (227 sq mi), of which 293 km2 (113 sq mi) constitutes the city's urban area, while the rest is occupied by the Hejaz Mountains, empty valleys, agricultural spaces, and older dormant volcanoes.
Places to visit in Madinah
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Prophet's Mosque
ReligiousOne of the holiest sites in Islam, home to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad under the Green Dome. Visiting the Rawdah requires a booking through the official app, so arrange it in advance.
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Quba Mosque
Religious · 2 mi from centreConsidered the first mosque in Islam, located on the southern side of the city. Many pilgrims pray here on a Saturday morning, so expect crowds at that time.
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Mount Uhud
HistoricA mountain north of the city where the Battle of Uhud took place in 625. Visit the martyrs' cemetery at its foot, and come early in the day to avoid the heat.
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Masjid al-Qiblatayn
Religious · 2 mi from centreA mosque known as the site where the direction of prayer changed from Jerusalem to Mecca. It is often included in city tours along with Quba Mosque.
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Al-Baqi Cemetery
HistoricThe ancient cemetery next to the Prophet's Mosque, where many of the Prophet's family and companions are buried. Access is limited to men at set times, so check before visiting.
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The Seven Mosques
ReligiousA group of small historic mosques near the site of the Battle of the Trench. They are often visited together on a tour, which helps explain the history of each site.
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Hejaz Railway Museum
MuseumA museum in the restored Ottoman railway station that served the Hejaz Railway. It explains the history of the line, and the old locomotives outside make an interesting stop.
Top experiences in Madinah
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.
City Sightseeing Medina Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $22 per adult
Ziarah (pilgrimage) Medinah - Half-Day Tour
From $29 per adult
Experience UHud - Half-Day Tour
From $152 per adult
Experience Medinah - Full-Day Tour
From $188 per adult
Al Ula - Full-Day Tour
From $412 per adult
Discover Historic Mosques and Al-Hayy - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $214 per adult
Discover Al-Maghislah neighborhood and Jabal Ayr - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $240 per adult
Where to stay in Madinah
Popular hotels in Madinah, out of 148 properties you can book.
Saja By Warwick Madinah Hotel
From $171 per night
Elaf Taiba
From $240 per night
Crowne Plaza Madinah
From $291 per night
Makarem Burj Al Madinah
From $208 per night
Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel
From $471 per night
Emaar Royal
From $210 per night
Emaar Elite Madinah
From $231 per night
Grand Zowar Hotel
From $90 per night
Abraj Almarzam Hotel
From $85 per night
Al Fakhama Aldahabi Abi Zar Hotel EX Golden Luxury
From $82 per night
Continent Al Marzam
From $79 per night
Makarem Haram View Suites
From $331 per night
Best time to visit Madinah
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Madinah is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 78–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Madinah weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 81° 59° 4%
- Thu 12 Nov 78° 63° 2%
- Fri 13 Nov 83° 62° 6%
- Sat 14 Nov 85° 63° 6%
- Sun 15 Nov 88° 65° 0%
- Mon 16 Nov 89° 67° 2%
- Tue 17 Nov 92° 67° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)1 US dollar ≈ ر.س3.75
- Language
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +966
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/RiyadhUTC+3
- Capital
- Riyadh
Getting to Madinah
These are the airports closest to central Madinah. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MED Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport9 mi (14 km) from the city centre
Getting around Madinah
A new bus network debuted in mid-2025 in Medina. The routes of the buses are available on the official App or on Google Maps. You can tap your card or use the official App to pay onboard.
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 among both official and unofficial taxi drivers (see "Stay safe" below). If you take an unofficial taxi ride, negotiate the price up front. You can use Uber to establish your baseline (maximum) price. People will often ask for prices well in excess of the Uber price.
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. Payment is done in cash to the driver, and you can hop on anywhere along the way (although payment is the same regardless).
By bicycle or scooter
Careem operates bicycles or scooters you can rent through the App.
Madinah travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Madinah?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Madinah is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 78–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Madinah?
June is usually the warmest month in Madinah, with average highs of 111°F (44°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 54°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 20 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Madinah?
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (14 km) from the centre of Madinah.
What currency is used in Madinah?
Madinah uses the Saudi riyal (SAR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ر.س3.75.
What time zone is Madinah in?
Madinah uses the Asia/Riyadh time zone (currently UTC+3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Madinah?
A new bus network debuted in mid-2025 in Medina. The routes of the buses are available on the official App or on Google Maps. You can tap your card or use the official App to pay onboard.
What are the best places to visit in Madinah?
Top sights in Madinah include Prophet's Mosque, Quba Mosque, Mount Uhud and Masjid al-Qiblatayn. One of the holiest sites in Islam, home to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad under the Green Dome. Visiting the Rawdah requires a booking through the official app, so arrange it in advance.
What are the top things to do in Madinah?
Popular experiences you can book in Madinah include City Sightseeing Medina Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Ziarah (pilgrimage) Medinah - Half-Day Tour and Experience UHud - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 7 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Madinah?
Popular areas for hotels in Madinah include Madinah and Bani Dhafar. Well-reviewed options include Saja By Warwick Madinah Hotel and Elaf Taiba.
How many hotels can I book in Madinah?
Destina Holidays currently lists 148 properties in and around Madinah, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
