Al Madinah · 18 Places · Best November to March
Al Madinah Province in western Saudi Arabia combines Madinah, the city of the Prophet's Mosque, with AlUla's UNESCO-listed Hegra, the Red Sea port of Yanbu, and early Islamic sites at Badr, Khaybar and Uhud. This guide covers sights, hotels, food, access rules for non-Muslims and getting around.
Al Madinah Province pairs the second-holiest city in Islam with one of the Arabian Peninsula's richest archaeological regions. Madinah is built around the Prophet's Mosque, the Green Dome and the Rawdah, and visitors also see Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Mount Uhud and the Seven Mosques, and shop for Ajwa dates at the Central Dates Market. Entry to the Prophet's Mosque and the Haram zone is for Muslims only, while other visitors can see the city, its museums and its date markets. About 380 km northwest, AlUla offers Hegra (a UNESCO World Heritage site with Nabataean tombs), Dadan, Elephant Rock, the Maraya mirrored concert hall and a mud-brick Old Town, all best visited from November to March. On the Red Sea, Yanbu has a restored coral-stone old town, and further out are Khaybar, Badr, Wadi al-Jinn and the gold-mining site of Mahd adh-Dhahab. Winter is mild at 15-28 C; summer exceeds 40 C.
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The 18 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
The second-holiest mosque in Islam, containing the Prophet's tomb under the Green Dome and the Rawdah. Entry to the mosque and its central zone is for Muslims only; non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque or the Haram boundary.
The first mosque built in Islam, founded by the Prophet on arrival in the Madinah area in 622. Prayer halls are for Muslims; the surrounding plaza and the Quba Road shops are public areas.
The Mosque of the Two Qiblas, where tradition places the change of prayer direction from Jerusalem to Makkah. It was rebuilt in a modern style in the 1980s.
The site of the Battle of Uhud (625) beneath the red-brown Mount Uhud, with the cemetery of the martyrs including Hamza. Women do not enter the cemetery; the foot of the mountain and the Archers' Hill viewpoint are open to all visitors.
A cluster of small mosques at the foot of Mount Sala' near the trench dug for the Battle of the Trench (627). Visitors can walk around the compound and the hill below.
The mosque of the Cloud, traditionally the Prophet's Eid prayer ground, marked by white domes. It lies close to the Haram boundary, so non-Muslim access depends on the checkpoint line.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Anwar Al-Madinah Mövenpick Hotel is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Central Area), Badaah, Madinah, about 0.5 km in a straight line from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque). Most guests walk to prayers.
Check rates on Booking.comMadinah Hilton Hotel is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Central Area), Badaah, Madinah, about 0.4 km in a straight line from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque). Most guests walk to prayers.
Check rates on Booking.comDar Al Iman InterContinental is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Central Area), Badaah, Madinah, about 0.4 km in a straight line from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque). Most guests walk to prayers.
Check rates on Booking.comSofitel Shahd Al Madinah is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Central Area), Badaah, Madinah, about 0.4 km in a straight line from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque). Most guests walk to prayers.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
A sit-down Middle Eastern and international restaurant on King Fahd Road in the central Badaah district. It suits visitors staying near the Haram who want a full meal rather than fast food.
A seafood restaurant on Prince Abdul Majeed Road. Fish and shrimp are served grilled or fried with rice, salad and sauces; it is a standard choice for seafood in a city far from the coast.
A fish restaurant on the Al Salam Road in western Madinah, used mainly by local families. Fish is ordered by weight or as a platter with rice.
A fish restaurant on Prince Abdul Mohsen Road, directly beside the Qurban fish market, so the catch is sold nearby. Simple counter-and-table service.
A Lebanese chain restaurant on Sultanah Road, the main dining strip of northwest Madinah. The chain also has branches on King Abdullah Road and Prince Abdul Majeed Road.
A Chinese restaurant in the Al Uyun district beside Al-Noor Mall, useful for visitors wanting a break from Arab and South Asian menus.
Madinah city is walkable around the Prophet's Mosque, with buses, app taxis and the Haramain train for longer hops. Reaching AlUla, Yanbu, Khaybar and Badr needs a rental car, private driver, intercity coach or a flight.
Daily spend by tier in SAR (1 USD = 3.75 SAR), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ~$30-65 (110-245 SAR) Madinah hotel away from the mosque | ~$80-190 (300-715 SAR) | ~$250-900 (940-3,375 SAR) mosque-view or AlUla desert resort |
| Food (per day) | ~$8-15 (30-55 SAR) | ~$25-50 (95-190 SAR) | ~$60-170 (225-640 SAR) |
| Transportation | ~$5-12 (20-45 SAR) | ~$15-40 (55-150 SAR) taxis and rides | ~$60-200 (225-750 SAR) private driver |
| Activities | ~$0-15 (0-55 SAR) | ~$25-60 (95-225 SAR) Hegra and AlUla tours | ~$100-350 (375-1,315 SAR) |
| Daily total | ~$45-105 (170-395 SAR) | ~$145-340 (545-1,280 SAR) | ~$470-1,620 (1,765-6,080 SAR) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Al Madinah.
Cooler months keep ziyarah, Hegra tours and desert drives comfortable. Outside Ramadan and school holidays, weekdays are calmer.
Dates of Ramadan, Eid and Hajj depend on moon sighting and can shift by a day. Rawdah and Umrah permits are booked through the Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa and the Nusuk app).
Drink water often; Zamzam and cold-water stations are throughout Masjid an-Nabawi.
Carry the Nusuk permit and ID; checkpoints on roads near the mosque check permits and religion.
Avoid midday outdoor visits from May to September; heat stroke is the largest everyday health risk, including at AlUla and Hegra.
Choose a landmark and a meeting gate number before entering crowds and agree it with family.
Keep valuables in a hotel safe and use a zipped bag in the plazas and malls.
Use licensed taxis or Uber/Careem rather than unmarked cars near the mosque.
Drive carefully on desert roads to AlUla, Badr and Khaybar: carry water, fuel up in towns and watch for camels and flash floods.
Follow the instructions of mosque guards and volunteers; one-way crowd flows are enforced at peak times.
Non-Muslims can visit Madinah city, but the Prophet's Mosque and the central Haram zone are for Muslims only. Checkpoints mark the restricted area; confirm current rules at visitsaudi.com before travel.
Book a guided tour on experiencealula.com or the Experience AlUla app; standard coach tours start from SAR 95 (~$25) per person.
About 380 km, around 4 to 4.5 hours by car, or a short flight on a limited schedule to AlUla airport (ULH).
Yes, crime is low; heat, long desert drives and wadi floods are the main concerns.
About $45-105 a day on a budget, $145-340 mid-range, and $470 or more for luxury (SAR 3.75 = $1).
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.
