Medina
The Radiant City of the Prophet
Al-Masjid an-NabawiQuba MosqueMount UhudAl-Baqi CemeteryThe Prophet’s Mosque
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Pages2026 Edition
The Radiant City of the Prophet
Medina
Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, located 450 km north of Mecca in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. It was the Prophet Muhammad’s adopted city from the Hijrah (622 CE) until his passing in 632 CE, and is home to his mosque and burial site. The city is an oasis surrounded by lava fields and date palm groves, with a pleasant climate in winter. Most pilgrims visit Medina before or after performing Hajj or Umrah in Mecca.
The essential sights and experiences
The second holiest mosque in Islam, built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself in 622 CE. The green dome marks the chamber where the Prophet is buried alongside Abu Bakr and Umar (RA). A prayer here is worth 1,000 prayers elsewhere.
The area between the Prophet’s tomb and his original pulpit (minbar), described by the Prophet as "a garden from the gardens of Paradise." The most sought-after prayer spot in the mosque, distinguished by its green carpet.
The first mosque in Islamic history, built by the Prophet upon his arrival in Medina during the Hijrah. A prayer here is equivalent to the reward of an Umrah, according to hadith. Recently expanded with stunning modern architecture.
The mountain where the Battle of Uhud (625 CE) took place, and where 70 companions of the Prophet were martyred, including his beloved uncle Hamza (RA). The Prophet said: "Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it."
The ancient cemetery where thousands of the Prophet’s companions, family members, and early Muslims are buried, including Uthman (RA) and many of the Prophet’s wives and children. A place of profound reflection.
The Mosque of the Two Qiblas — where the Prophet received the divine command to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca during Dhuhr prayer. A pivotal moment in Islamic history.
When to go and what to expect
Many pilgrims visit Medina before or after Hajj. Hotels are at peak prices and the mosque is very crowded. The spiritual atmosphere is extraordinary.
The Prophet’s Mosque is at its most beautiful during Ramadan, especially for Taraweeh and the last ten nights. The iftar (fast-breaking) meals shared in the mosque courtyard are a beautiful communal experience.
The best time to visit. Comfortable temperatures (10–25°C), smaller crowds (outside Hajj/Ramadan), and pleasant walking weather. Occasional rain.
Very hot (35–45°C). Fewer visitors but the heat makes outdoor activities like Mount Uhud difficult. The mosque’s air conditioning is a welcome refuge.
Medina — best experienced in October–March
Everything in Medina radiates outward from the Prophet’s Mosque. The immediate surrounding area is a carefully planned precinct of wide pedestrian plazas, hotels, date shops, restaurants, and bookstores. The mosque itself is a city within a city — with its 250 giant umbrellas, 27 moving domes, 10 minarets, and capacity for over 1 million worshippers. The green dome, visible from across the city, marks the most sacred spot: the burial chamber of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Enter the mosque from any of its many gates and follow the green carpet towards the Rawdah area. Visit the tomb chamber to send salutations. Pray on the rooftop for panoramic views. After prayers, explore the surrounding streets — the date market (selling over 200 varieties), Islamic bookshops, and shops selling attar (perfume oil), miswak (natural toothbrush), and prayer beads. The courtyard at night, with its lit minarets and peaceful atmosphere, is mesmerising.
Quba is a southern suburb of Medina, 5 km from the Prophet’s Mosque, and is home to the first mosque ever built in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established Quba Mosque upon his arrival in Medina during the Hijrah. He used to visit it every Saturday, and a hadith states that praying two rak’ahs here earns the reward of an Umrah. The area is a mix of residential streets, date farms, and the beautifully expanded Quba Mosque.
Visit Quba Mosque early in the morning for the most peaceful experience. The modern expansion is architecturally stunning, with white marble, geometric patterns, and open courtyards. The surrounding Quba neighbourhood has local restaurants, date gardens, and a slower pace than central Medina. It’s an excellent area for affordable accommodation.
Mount Uhud rises 1,077 metres above sea level on Medina’s northern edge. It was here that the Battle of Uhud (625 CE) took place — a pivotal moment in early Islamic history where 70 companions were martyred. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it.” The area includes the mountain itself, the Martyrs’ Cemetery at its base, and the Archers’ Hill where a crucial tactical error changed the battle’s course.
Arrive early morning when the mountain glows golden in the sunrise. Visit the Martyrs’ Cemetery (Shuhada Uhud) to send prayers for Hamza and the other fallen companions. Walk to the Archers’ Hill for a view of the battlefield and an understanding of the battle’s geography. The base of the mountain has vendors selling drinks and refreshments.
Jannat al-Baqi (The Garden of Al-Baqi) is the most sacred cemetery in Islam, located immediately adjacent to the eastern wall of the Prophet’s Mosque. It contains the graves of thousands of the Prophet’s companions, family members, and early Muslims, including Uthman ibn Affan (RA), many of the Prophet’s wives (Mothers of the Believers), his son Ibrahim, and his daughter Fatimah (RA). The cemetery is simple and unadorned, in keeping with Islamic principles.
Al-Baqi is open to visitors after Fajr and Asr prayers. Men can enter the cemetery; women may visit from outside the walls. Stand in quiet contemplation and send prayers (du’a) for the deceased. The simplicity of the graves — unmarked stones in sandy ground — is profoundly humbling. A guide or book about who is buried here greatly enriches the visit.
The Al-Qiblatayn neighbourhood in northwestern Medina is home to one of Islam’s most historically significant mosques. Masjid al-Qiblatayn is where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the divine command to change the qibla (direction of prayer) from Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Mecca — mid-prayer, during the Dhuhr salah. The congregation turned 180 degrees and completed their prayer facing Mecca. The neighbourhood is primarily residential.
The mosque has been recently renovated and expanded. Visit to pray and reflect on this pivotal moment in Islamic history — the changing of the qibla was a declaration of Islam’s distinct identity. The surrounding neighbourhood is quiet and residential, offering a glimpse of everyday Medinan life.
Al-Aqiq is Medina’s modern commercial and residential district, located west of the city centre. It represents the forward-looking side of Medina, with shopping malls, modern restaurants, parks, and well-planned residential areas. For visitors staying longer or seeking a break from the intensity of the pilgrimage areas, Al-Aqiq offers a contemporary Saudi experience.
Al-Aqiq is where Medinans shop, dine, and relax. The area has modern malls, international restaurant chains, and coffee shops. It’s a good area for picking up practical supplies or enjoying a change of pace from the mosque area.
The Al-Haram District refers to the immediate zone surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque — the hotels, plazas, and commercial streets within a 5–10 minute walk of the mosque gates. This is where most pilgrims stay, and it buzzes with activity 24 hours a day. The district has the highest concentration of date shops, Islamic bookstores, and restaurants in Medina.
Staying in the Al-Haram District means the mosque is your living room. Step out of your hotel and you’re at the mosque within minutes. The area is fully pedestrianised around the mosque, making walking easy and pleasant. Late-night food stalls and juice shops serve pilgrims returning from Isha and Tahajjud prayers.
As-Salam is a northern neighbourhood connecting the Prophet’s Mosque area with the road to Mount Uhud. It is a practical residential area with hotels, restaurants, and shops that offer good value compared to the immediate mosque precinct. Its position on the road to Uhud makes it convenient for visiting the battlefield.
As-Salam is a sensible base for budget-conscious visitors who want proximity to the mosque without premium pricing. The main road has restaurants, supermarkets, and services. Walking to the Prophet’s Mosque takes 15–20 minutes, or a quick taxi/Uber ride.
Pockets of old Medina survive in the streets surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque, particularly to the south and west. Traditional Hejazi architecture — carved wooden balconies (rawashin), stone walls, and narrow shaded lanes — can still be found, though much has given way to modern development. These remnants offer a glimpse of the Medina that existed for centuries, a city of scholars, date merchants, and pilgrims.
Explore the narrow lanes south and west of the Prophet’s Mosque for remaining old buildings. The Hejazi architectural style is distinct — look for the intricately carved wooden window screens (mashrabiyyah) and stone facades. The old souq areas near the mosque still retain some traditional character.
Al-Nakheel (“The Palms”) refers to the residential and agricultural areas of Medina where date palm groves still flourish. Medina has been an oasis city since ancient times, and dates remain central to its economy and identity. The neighbourhood offers green spaces, gardens, and a connection to Medina’s agricultural heritage that contrasts with the urban intensity near the mosque.
Visit during date harvest season (July–September) to see the palm groves at their most productive. Some farms offer tours and tastings. The area’s parks and gardens provide peaceful walking space away from the pilgrim areas.
Al-Shuhadaa (“The Martyrs”) is the neighbourhood near Mount Uhud and the Martyrs’ Cemetery, named after the 70 companions who fell in the Battle of Uhud. The area is on Medina’s northern edge, where the city gives way to the dramatic landscape of Mount Uhud’s red-brown slopes. It is a place of remembrance, sacrifice, and deep connection to early Islamic history.
The neighbourhood serves as the gateway to the Uhud battlefield sites. Start at the Martyrs’ Cemetery, then walk to the Archers’ Hill for battlefield views. The mountain itself looms above, its reddish rock dramatic against the blue desert sky. Local vendors sell refreshments and souvenirs.
Bani Hashim is a neighbourhood named after the Prophet’s clan (the Hashemites) of the Quraysh tribe. Located near the Prophet’s Mosque, it is a bustling commercial area with some of the best shopping and dining options in Medina. The neighbourhood reflects the multicultural character of Medina, with restaurants and shops serving the diverse international community of pilgrims and residents.
Bani Hashim is excellent for shopping and dining. The streets are lined with date shops, Islamic bookstores, clothing stores selling abayas and thobes, and restaurants serving cuisine from across the Muslim world. It’s a vibrant, colourful neighbourhood that comes alive especially after evening prayers.
Al-Rawdah refers both to the sacred area inside the Prophet’s Mosque (between the tomb and the pulpit) and to the surrounding neighbourhood. The district is the most spiritually charged in Medina, as it encompasses the mosque’s holiest section. Hotels in the Al-Rawdah area offer the closest possible accommodation to the Prophet’s resting place.
Accessing the Rawdah inside the mosque requires patience and often long queues. Women have designated hours (usually mornings). Men can typically access after Fajr and between Dhuhr and Asr. Once inside, the green carpet marks the boundaries of the Rawdah. Pray with deep concentration and make your supplications — this is described as a garden of Paradise.
The Radiant City of the Prophet