Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque)
The Prophet's Mosque and tomb, the second holiest site in Islam. Open to Muslims only; non-Muslims can view it from outside the signposted precinct.
On this page
About Madinah
Madinah grew around Masjid an-Nabawi, the mosque the Prophet Muhammad built after the Hijrah in 622 CE and where he is buried beneath the Green Dome. Today the mosque and its large plazas sit at the centre of the city, ringed by hotel towers, the Central Area markets and the Al-Baqi cemetery. Beyond the mosque, the usual ziyarah circuit covers Quba Mosque (the first mosque in Islam), Masjid al-Qiblatayn, the Mount Uhud battlefield and Martyrs' cemetery, the Seven Mosques at the Trench battle site and Masjid al-Ghamama. Transport is straightforward: Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) has international flights, the Haramain high-speed train reaches Makkah in about 2 hours 20 minutes, and Madinah Bus links the airport, the station and the mosque. The calmest and most comfortable months are November to February. Alcohol is banned nationwide, so evenings centre on cafes, date and sweet shops and late dining. Non-Muslim visitors may not enter the Prophet's Mosque and its marked precinct (the boundary is signposted and checked), although they can walk the surrounding streets and markets; access to individual historic mosques and sites varies, so check signage on arrival.
- Capital
- Madinah
- Largest city
- Madinah
- Population
- About 1.4 million residents (2022 census, approximate; millions more visit each year, with peaks in Ramadan and Hajj season)
- Languages
- Arabic, English (used in hotels, the airport and the Haramain train; Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian and Turkish are also heard among pilgrims)
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
- Time zone
- AST (UTC+3), no daylight saving
Explore Madinah by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Madinah
The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Rawdah ash-Sharifah (permit visit)
The green-carpeted section of the Prophet's Mosque entered by free timed permit through the Nusuk app. Muslims only.
Jannat al-Baqi (Al-Baqi cemetery)
The historic cemetery east of the Prophet's Mosque where companions and family of the Prophet are held to be buried. Muslims only.
Quba Mosque
Traditionally the first mosque built in Islam, with white domes and a free, 24-hour courtyard. Prayer-hall access is for Muslims.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Mosque of the Two Qiblas)
The mosque where the direction of prayer is traditionally said to have changed from Jerusalem to Makkah. Free and open around the clock.
Mount Uhud and the Martyrs' Cemetery
The mountain and battlefield of 625 CE with the Martyrs' Cemetery, Archers' Hill and a modern mosque. Free and open air.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Madinah Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Madinah, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Madinah
- Days 1-2Madinah city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Madinah
- Days 1-3Madinah comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Madinah, departure
Where to stay in Madinah
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ~$40-100 (150-375 SAR)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ~$145-335 (545-1,260 SAR)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ~$330-890 (1,240-3,345 SAR)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Pullman ZamZam Madinah
Pullman ZamZam Madinah is a 5-star luxury hotel in Markazia (Bani Khidrah, Bab Al Salam side), about 310 m in a straight line from Masjid an-Nabawi. The tower has about 835 rooms, four restaurants and a tea garden, and sits close to the Bab Al Salam side of the mosque. Most guests walk to prayers; allow extra time at peak prayer hours when the plaza is crowded. Hotel stays are open to all visitors with a valid visa, while the mosque precinct is restricted to Muslims.
Check rates on Booking.comSofitel Shahd Al Madinah
Sofitel Shahd Al Madinah is a 5-star luxury hotel in Markazia (Bada'ah, King Fahd Road), about 550 m in a straight line from Masjid an-Nabawi. Listings place it in the pedestrian zone with shops on the doorstep, a short walk from the mosque courtyards. Most guests walk to prayers; allow extra time at peak prayer hours when the plaza is crowded. Hotel stays are open to all visitors with a valid visa, while the mosque precinct is restricted to Muslims.
Check rates on Booking.comMadinah Hilton
Madinah Hilton is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Bada'ah, King Fahd Road), about 540 m in a straight line from Masjid an-Nabawi. Part of the Hilton brand and one of the better-reviewed upscale hotels on the northern side of the mosque. Most guests walk to prayers; allow extra time at peak prayer hours when the plaza is crowded. Hotel stays are open to all visitors with a valid visa, while the mosque precinct is restricted to Muslims.
Check rates on Booking.comAnwar Al Madinah Mövenpick
Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick is a luxury hotel in Markazia (Bada'ah), about 570 m in a straight line from Masjid an-Nabawi. The hotel is attached to a shopping mall and offers spa and fitness facilities; some rooms look toward the Green Dome. Most guests walk to prayers; allow extra time at peak prayer hours when the plaza is crowded. Hotel stays are open to all visitors with a valid visa, while the mosque precinct is restricted to Muslims.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Madinah
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Al Romansiah (Al Iskan)
Al Romansiah (Al Iskan) serves saudi mandi and kabsa in Al Iskan, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Zaitoon Restaurant (Taiba Commercial Center)
Zaitoon Restaurant (Taiba Commercial Center) serves pakistani, indian and saudi in Taiba Commercial Center, near the Haram, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Al Baik (King Faisal Road)
Al Baik (King Faisal Road) serves saudi broasted chicken and fast food in Bani Khidrah, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Al Baik (Tayba)
Al Baik (Tayba) serves saudi broasted chicken and fast food in Tayba, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Hyderabad House
Hyderabad House serves indian (hyderabadi) in Mudhainib, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Arabesque (Shaza Al Madina)
Arabesque (Shaza Al Madina) serves international and middle eastern buffet in Bada'ah, Shaza Al Madina hotel, Madinah. Details come from public listings; menus and hours change, so confirm on arrival. All food is halal and no alcohol is served anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Getting around Madinah
Madinah is compact around Masjid an-Nabawi and spread across the plain beyond it. Walk in the Central Area, use Madinah Bus or app taxis for Quba, Uhud, Qiblatayn and the Seven Mosques, and the Haramain train for Makkah and Jeddah.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in SAR (1 USD = 3.75 SAR), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ~$30-70 (110-260 SAR) hotel away from the Central Area | ~$100-230 (375-865 SAR) | ~$200-500 (750-1,875 SAR) hotel beside the mosque plazas |
| Food (per day) | ~$8-15 (30-55 SAR) | ~$25-45 (95-170 SAR) | ~$60-150 (225-565 SAR) |
| Transportation | ~$2-8 (8-30 SAR) Madinah Bus and short taxi rides | ~$8-25 (30-95 SAR) | ~$40-110 (150-415 SAR) private car |
| Activities | ~$0-10 (0-40 SAR) most sites are free | ~$10-35 (40-130 SAR) | ~$30-130 (115-490 SAR) |
| Daily total | ~$40-100 (150-375 SAR) | ~$145-335 (545-1,260 SAR) | ~$330-890 (1,240-3,345 SAR) |
Best time to visit Madinah
Weather through the year in Madinah
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Cooler months keep walking and ziyarah 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 permits are booked in the Nusuk app (nusuk.sa).
Essential travel tips
- Non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque and its marked precinct; the rest of the city is open.
- Muslim visitors book the free Rawdah permit in the Nusuk app; visits are timed and short.
- Dress modestly: long loose clothing for both sexes, and a headscarf for women near the mosques.
- Download the Nusuk, Tawakkalna, Madinah Bus and Uber or Careem apps before arrival.
- Plan shopping and meals around the five daily prayers, when many shops close for 20-30 minutes.
Safety information
Drink water often; Zamzam and cold-water stations are throughout Masjid an-Nabawi and its plazas.
Carry ID and your Nusuk permit; checkpoints and guards around the Prophet's Mosque check who enters the precinct.
Avoid midday outdoor ziyarah from May to September; heat stroke is the largest everyday health risk.
Choose a landmark and a meeting point (a mosque gate number) before entering crowds and agree it with family.
Keep valuables in the hotel safe and carry a zipped bag in the Central Area and plaza crowds.
Use licensed taxis or Uber/Careem rather than unmarked cars offering rides near the mosque.
Keep shoes in a bag or the shoe racks provided; shoes are the most common lost item at the mosque gates.
Follow the instructions of mosque security and volunteers; one-way crowd flows and closed zones are enforced at peak times.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims visit Madinah?
Yes, the city is open to all visitors, but non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque and its signposted precinct, and the boundary is checked. Visitors can walk the surrounding streets and markets and see the mosque from outside the perimeter.
How do I visit the Rawdah?
Muslim visitors book a free Rawdah permit in the Nusuk app (nusuk.sa), choose a date and time slot, and arrive about 15 minutes early. The prayer time inside is limited to roughly 10 minutes, and reports say permits are limited to about one per 365 days; confirm the current terms in the app.
How do I get from Madinah airport to the Prophet's Mosque?
By taxi (posted tariff, roughly SAR 50-100, 20-35 minutes), Uber or Careem, or Madinah Bus route 400 which links the airport and the mosque. The airport is about 15-20 km from the mosque.
How long is the train from Makkah to Madinah?
The Haramain high-speed train takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, with economy fares from about SAR 162 before VAT. Book at sar.hhr.sa or in the Haramain app.
When is the best time to visit Madinah?
November to February for mild weather and lower prices outside Ramadan and school holidays. Summer highs reach 43-44 C.
Is Madinah safe?
Everyday crime is low, but government advisories for Saudi Arabia are elevated in 2026 (US Level 3, UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to most of the country, Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel). Check your own government's advice before booking.
How much does a trip to Madinah cost?
About $40-100 a day on a budget, $145-335 mid-range and $330 or more for a hotel beside the mosque (SAR 3.75 = $1).