Madinah (Medina) is the second holiest city in Islam and the home of Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque. It lies in the Hejaz about 400 km north of Makkah and is the capital of the Al Madinah region. The city is open to all visitors, but non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque and its marked precinct. This guide covers the mosque district, Quba, Uhud and the other ziyarah sites, where to stay and eat, and how to get around.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Madinah.
-
1
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.
Tip: Muslims only inside the precinct; non-Muslims should view the mosque from outside the signposted perimeter. · Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before a prayer to find space in the courtyards. · Dress modestly and carry shoes in a bag or use the racks at the gates. · Use the Nusuk app to book a Rawdah slot; walking up without a permit is not allowed. · Avoid Friday midday and the last ten nights of Ramadan if a quieter visit is wanted. · Keep valuables minimal; large bags slow security checks.
-
2
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.
Tip: Book the free permit in the Nusuk app (nusuk.sa) as soon as slots open and keep the QR code ready. · Arrive at the designated entrance 30 to 60 minutes before the slot time. · Expect a few minutes inside; plan prayers calmly and follow staff instructions. · Rawdah is for Muslims only; do not attempt entry without a permit. · Keep phones away and bags small. · If no slot is available, praying elsewhere in the mosque is always possible.
-
3
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.
Tip: Muslims only; the cemetery sits within the sacred precinct. · Be quiet and avoid photography in and around the cemetery. · Enter and leave in the direction staff indicate and follow the posted opening times. · Women should confirm on site whether entry or the outer fence is used. · Dress modestly and avoid the midday heat in summer. · Carry no food or large bags.
-
4
Quba Mosque
Traditionally the first mosque built in Islam, with white domes and a free, 24-hour courtyard. Prayer-hall access is for Muslims.
Tip: Go after Fajr or on a weekday morning to avoid Saturday crowds. · Men wear long trousers; women an abaya and headscarf. · Take photos in the courtyard, not inside the prayer hall. · Non-Muslim visitors should confirm interior access on site and stay in the courtyard unless told otherwise. · Pair with Masjid al-Qiblatayn and the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route. · Check for construction hoardings linked to the ongoing expansion.
-
5
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.
Tip: Go in the morning or evening; midday is hot in summer. · Dress modestly and remove shoes before the prayer hall. · Combine with the Seven Mosques, about 1 km away. · Non-Muslim visitors should view from the grounds unless staff confirm interior access. · Use ride-hailing; parking is limited at prayer times. · Check for expansion works that may close sections.
-
6
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.
Tip: Visit at sunrise or within two hours of sunset; the plain has no shade. · Bring water and wear sturdy shoes for the hill. · Keep voices low and do not climb the cemetery wall. · Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. · Hop-On Hop-Off buses save negotiating a taxi fare. · Allow half a day with the cemetery, mosque and hill.
-
7
The Seven Mosques (Khandaq area)
A cluster of small mosques beside Mount Sala' linked to the Battle of the Trench in 627 CE. Free and open air.
Tip: Visit in the early morning; there is little shade. · Expect some small mosques to be closed outside prayer times. · Dress modestly and be quiet around worshippers. · Use the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route or a short taxi ride from Qiblatayn. · Bring water; there are few vendors. · Treat the Seven Mosques as one short stop, not a half-day site.
-
8
Masjid al-Ghamama
A small domed mosque near the Prophet's Mosque tied to the Prophet's Eid and rain prayers. Muslim worshippers; near the sacred precinct.
Tip: Muslims can pray here between visits to the main mosque. · Non-Muslim visitors should not enter the signposted precinct. · Visit mid-morning for a calm moment. · Dress modestly and remove shoes. · Combine with the As Safiyyah complex nearby. · Take care crossing busy roads in the area.
-
9
Masjid al-Ijabah (Mosque of Response)
A small mosque north-east of the centre linked by tradition to an answered supplication of the Prophet.
Tip: Visit between prayers when the doors are open. · Use a taxi or ride-hail; the street is narrow. · Dress modestly and remove shoes. · Keep stops short; the mosque is small. · Non-Muslim visitors should stay outside unless invited.
-
10
Hejaz Railway Museum (Al-Madinah Museum)
Ottoman Hejaz Railway terminus turned museum. Reported closed for refurbishment in 2026; confirm status before visiting.
Tip: Check opening status before going: recent sources report closure for refurbishment. · If closed, photograph the exterior and rail yard from the street. · Older listings gave free entry and morning plus evening hours. · Combine with Dar Al Madinah Museum if open. · Use a taxi or ride-hail; the station lies west of the centre. · Dress modestly.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Holy_sites_and_mosques
Battlefields_and_history
Museums_and_culture
Open_to_non_muslims
Muslim_only
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Access
- Madinah city is open to visitors of all faiths, but Masjid an-Nabawi and the sacred precinct around it, including Al-Baqi, are for Muslims only; the perimeter is signposted and checked. No official 2026 change to this rule was found, so visitors should confirm at visitsaudi.com or with the Madinah tourism authority before travel.
- Hours
- Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque and Masjid al-Qiblatayn are open 24 hours. Museums keep daytime hours: Dar Al Madinah 11:00-18:00 Saturday to Thursday; As Safiyyah 07:30-23:30 (Friday 13:00-00:00); the Quran Printing Complex Sunday to Thursday 08:00-11:30.
- Fees
- Mosques, Uhud and the cemeteries are free. Dar Al Madinah costs SAR 25 (about $7); the As Safiyyah Creation Story Museum SAR 25 (about $7); the Hop-On Hop-Off bus from SAR 40 (about $11) for 24 hours; the Rawdah permit is free.
- Best Times
- October to March is the most comfortable (about 15-32 C); June to September often passes 40 C. Weekday mornings are quietest; Friday midday and Ramadan are busiest.
- Booking
- Rawdah slots are booked free on the Nusuk app (nusuk.sa). Hop-On Hop-Off and heritage tours are sold at visitmadinahsa.com and book.visitsaudi.com. The Quran Printing Complex requires registration at qurancomplex.gov.sa.
- Visa
- Visitors enter on the Saudi tourist eVisa (visa.visitsaudi.com): one year, multiple entries, up to 90 days a stay. The fee is reported at about SAR 440 (about $117), including SAR 140 (about $37) of mandatory health insurance, but sources differ, so check the portal.
- Getting There
- Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) is about 15 km north-east of the centre; the Haramain high-speed train links Madinah with Makkah (about 2 hours 20 minutes), Jeddah and Jeddah airport.
- Advisories
- As of mid-October 2026 the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia and all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border; the US State Department rates Saudi Arabia Level 3 (Reconsider Travel, March 2026); Canada's embassy cautioned against travel on 15 October 2026 after missile strikes on Riyadh and Dammam airports. Madinah is not named in these notices, but flights can be disrupted at short notice, so travellers should check the advisories and flight status before and during any trip.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Dress modestly: men cover shoulders and knees, women wear an abaya and headscarf near mosques.
Non-Muslim visitors should not enter the signposted sacred precinct around Masjid an-Nabawi; plan museums, Uhud and Khaybar instead.
Book a free Rawdah slot early in the Nusuk app, since slots go fast in Ramadan.
Use the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route (Uhud, Seven Mosques area, Qiblatayn, Quba) to see the outer sites in half a day.
Avoid midday outdoor visits between June and September.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims visit Madinah?
Yes, the city is open to visitors of all faiths, but Masjid an-Nabawi and its sacred precinct are for Muslims only. The boundary is signposted and checked.
How do I visit the Rawdah?
Book a free timed permit through the Nusuk app or nusuk.sa, choosing a date and time slot. Access is for Muslims only.
What can non-Muslims see in Madinah?
Dar Al Madinah Museum, As Safiyyah Museum and Park, Mount Uhud and the battlefield, the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex by registration, and day trips such as Khaybar. The Hejaz Railway Museum is reported closed for refurbishment.
What is the best time to visit Madinah?
October to March, when daytime temperatures are mild; summer exceeds 40 C.