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Medina

Islam's second holiest city

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Medina Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency: SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Saudi Arabia

Photo: Mondephile, CC BY-SA 3.0

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam and the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad, drawing millions of pilgrims to the Prophet's Mosque. Beyond its religious core, it offers historic mosques, battle sites and a growing set of museums and malls.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 1.4M
Population of Saudi Arabia: 33M
Country area: 2,250,000 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +966
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 605 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	25°	27°	32°	36°	40°	44°	43°	44°	42°	38°	32°	26°
Low	12°	12°	16°	20°	24°	28°	28°	29°	28°	22°	18°	13°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$37
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$100
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$295

Plan a trip to Medina

Top things to do

Free
The Prophet's Mosque
The second holiest site in Islam and burial place of the Prophet; men may visit the tomb throughout opening hours, women after Fajr and Duhr prayers, and non-Muslims may enter the compound but not the tomb.
- Half day
- Central Haram district around the Prophet's Mosque
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
Free
Al-Baqi' Cemetery
A vast graveyard next to the Prophet's Mosque where many companions and family members are buried; open only a few hours daily, with a linear path and unmarked graves.
- Half day
- Central Haram district around the Prophet's Mosque
- Good for kids
Free
Masjid Quba
Considered the oldest mosque in the world, dating from the Prophet's time with later additions; reachable by the golf-cart shuttle along Qiba Road.
- Half day
- Quba district
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Masjid al-Qiblatayn
The mosque where the Prophet was ordered to turn from Jerusalem toward the Kaaba during prayer; a working mosque so visits may be limited.
- Half day
- Central Haram district around the Prophet's Mosque
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Mount Uhud
The plain and mountain where the Battle of Uhud took place, with the burial ground of 70 martyrs including the Prophet's uncle Hamza; a short drive from the centre.
- Half day
- Uhud area
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Al-Madinah Museum
Housed in the former Hejaz railway terminus, this museum covers Medina's history from prehistoric to modern times; one of the few non-religious sites in the city.
- Half day
- Hejaz Railway district
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $8
International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography
Models, holograms and video present a detailed view of the Prophet's daily life and character; directly adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque and open evenings.
- Half day
- Central Haram district around the Prophet's Mosque
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Dar Al Madinah Museum
A smaller private museum next to the high-speed railway station with models of old Medina; a good indoor stop if the weather is hot.
- Half day
- Hejaz Railway district
- Good for kids
- Indoors

Before you go

Entry and visas

You must get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. Many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or an electronic visa waiver; e-visas can also be issued on arrival at Saudi Arabia's international airports. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and a separate Hajj visa is required for the pilgrimage season. Rules differ by nationality and purpose of travel, so check the official Saudi visa platform before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) receives direct flights from around the Middle East and is the main gateway. Taxis, Uber or the public bus (route 400, paid by card) reach the city centre in about 20–30 minutes; the bus stops a 10-minute walk north of the Prophet's Mosque.

Getting around

A new city bus network launched in 2025 with routes on Google Maps and an official app, plus taxis, Uber, Careem bikes and a golf-cart shuttle along Qiba Road between the Prophet's Mosque and Quba Mosque.

Local tips

Dress modestly: women should wear an abaya in public areas, and men should cover shoulders and knees.
Non-Muslims may enter the Prophet's Mosque compound but not the burial site; Al-Baqi' cemetery is open to all.
Carry some cash: smaller shops often do not accept cards, though malls and chains take cards and Apple Pay.
Avoid visiting during the Hajj season if you are not a pilgrim, as non-Muslims may not visit then.

Areas worth knowing

Quba district
Uhud area
Al-Ali district
Central Haram district around the Prophet's Mosque
Hejaz Railway district

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 11, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK