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 beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Madinah.
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- quiet family waterfront with cafes and seafood
- Promenade
- Cafes
- Family parks
- Walking and cycling paths
Yanbu Al Bahr Corniche
Palm-lined Red Sea promenade in Yanbu, the nearest coast to Madinah at about 234 km.
Editor’s tip. Travel October to April; in summer visit only after sunset.
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- informal local family beach
- Swimming area
- Playground
- Picnic spots
Yanbu Public Beach (Al Shati)
Free public white-sand beach in Yanbu with a swimming area and picnic spots.
Editor’s tip. Bring water, shade, a towel and cash; facilities are not guaranteed.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Madinah memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Madinah’s coast.
Does Madinah have a beach?
No. Madinah is inland. The nearest sea coast is Yanbu on the Red Sea, about 234 km by road.
From the Yanbu Al Bahr Corniche editorial.
How do visitors get from Madinah to Yanbu?
By car or taxi in about 2.5 hours, or by Northwest Bus from Madinah bus station in roughly 4 hours for about SAR 65-120 (~$17-32), according to aggregator listings that should be confirmed at the station.
From the Yanbu Al Bahr Corniche editorial.
Is Yanbu Public Beach free?
It is a public beach and no entry fee was confirmed.
From the Yanbu Public Beach (Al Shati) editorial.
Are there lifeguards?
Listing sites disagree, so visitors should assume there are none.
From the Yanbu Public Beach (Al Shati) editorial.