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Medina
Saudi Arabia

Things to do in Medina

50 attractions · Saudi Arabia

Photo: Meshari Alawfi, CC BY 4.0

Al Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia · 24.467, 39.600

About Medina

Medina serves as the second holiest city in Islam, defined by its historic core surrounding Al Masjid-e-Nabawi and the iconic Green Dome. As the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad, the city is a focal point for global pilgrimage and cultural heritage. Beyond its religious architecture, the city features historic landmarks like the Archers' Hill Uhud and the early foundations of Islam at Masjid Quba. Modern expansion now blends these preserved sites with urban spaces like King Fahad Central Park.

Good to know

  1. 1

    Medina is historically known as Yathrib, having been renamed to its current title after the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE.

  2. 2

    The city was the first capital of the Islamic Empire before the seat of power shifted to Damascus during the Umayyad Caliphate.

  3. 3

    Medina operates under specific religious regulations regarding access to the central Haram area, which is restricted to followers of the Islamic faith.

  4. 4

    The city's architecture is strictly regulated to maintain the historical significance of its sacred sites, influencing the design of modern infrastructure.

  5. 5

    It is home to the Al Hijrah trail, which traces the significant historical migration route known as the Hijra.

Plan your visit to Medina

Best time to visit

November to February, as these months offer cooler, more manageable temperatures for walking between outdoor historical sites.

How many days

3-4 days to properly visit the central mosques and the peripheral historical sites in the surrounding valley.

Getting around

The city is serviced by the Haramain High Speed Railway for regional travel, with taxis, ride-hailing apps, and a developing bus network providing local transport.

Where to stay

Stay in the Central Area surrounding the Haram for walking access to the primary mosques, or in the northern districts for newer hotel developments.

Budget

Mid-range; accommodation costs fluctuate significantly based on peak pilgrimage seasons and proximity to the Haram.

Top things to do in Medina

The 50 most popular places in Medina.

Filtered by
  1. 1 Al Masjid-e-Nabawi
    Temples Icon

    Al Masjid-e-Nabawi

    Al Masjid-e-Nabawi is the second holiest site in Islam and contains the burial chamber of the Prophet Muhammad beneath t...

  2. 2 Masjid Quba
    Temples Icon

    Masjid Quba

    Masjid Quba is historically recognized as the first mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad upon his arrival in Medina duri...

  3. 3 Archers' Hill Uhud
    Historical places Very popular

    Archers' Hill Uhud

    Archers' Hill, also known as Jabal al-Rumah, is the site where 50 archers were stationed by the Prophet Muhammad during...

  4. 4 Masjid al-Qiblatayn
    Temples Very popular

    Masjid al-Qiblatayn

    Masjid al-Qiblatayn is historically significant as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the divine revelation to...

  5. 5 Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque
    Temples Very popular

    Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque

    Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque is a prominent neighborhood place of worship located within the Qurban district of Medina. The mo...

  6. 6 The Green Dome
    Temples Very popular

    The Green Dome

    The Green Dome is a prominent structure situated above the burial chamber of the Prophet Muhammad and the first two Cali...

  7. 7 King Fahad Central Park
    Parks Very popular

    King Fahad Central Park

    King Fahad Central Park is a massive public green space in Medina spanning over 400,000 square meters. It features exten...

  8. 8 The Seven Mosques
    Temples Very popular

    The Seven Mosques

    The Seven Mosques, also known as Masjid al-Khandaq, are a complex of small historical mosques located near the site of t...

  9. 9 Ghars well
    Museums Popular

    Ghars well

    Ghars Well is a historic site in Medina, traditionally associated with the Prophet Muhammad, who requested to be washed...

  10. 10 Al Hijrah Walkway
    Natural attractions Popular

    Al Hijrah Walkway

    Al Hijrah Walkway is an expansive, purpose-built pedestrian thoroughfare in Medina designed for fitness and leisure. Str...

  11. 11 Mosque of Al-Ghamama
    Temples Popular

    Mosque of Al-Ghamama

    The Mosque of Al-Ghamama is a historic site in Medina built on the location where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have p...

  12. 12 Uhud Mountain
    Natural attractions Popular

    Uhud Mountain

    Mount Uhud is a 1,077-meter-high mountain range located north of Medina, Saudi Arabia, stretching approximately 7.5 kilo...

  13. 13 Railway Museum
    Museums Popular

    Railway Museum

    The Hejaz Railway Museum is housed in the historic Ottoman-era Medina railway station, which served as the terminus of t...

  14. 14 Dar Al Madinah Museum
    Museums Popular

    Dar Al Madinah Museum

    Dar Al Madinah Museum specializes in the architectural and urban evolution of Medina throughout Islamic history. The fac...

  15. 15 Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Park
    Parks Popular

    Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Park

    Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Park is a significant public green space located near the foothills of Mount Uhud in Medi...

  16. 16 Islamic University of Madinah
    Places of interest Popular

    Islamic University of Madinah

    The Islamic University of Madinah is a globally recognized public institution established by a royal decree in 1961. It...

  17. 17 Jabal Ohud Garden
    Parks Popular

    Jabal Ohud Garden

    Jabal Ohud Garden is situated at the base of Mount Ohud, a site of immense historical significance in Islamic history as...

  18. 18 Masjid Al-Jumuah
    Temples Popular

    Masjid Al-Jumuah

    Masjid Al-Jumuah marks the specific site where the Prophet Muhammad performed the very first Jumuah (Friday) prayer afte...

  19. 19 Al Khalidiyyah Park
    Parks Popular

    Al Khalidiyyah Park

    Al Khalidiyyah Park is a neighborhood-scale green space located in the Al Khalidiyyah district of Medina. The park featu...

  20. 20 Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
    Temples Popular

    Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

    Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddiq is a historic mosque located within the immediate vicinity of the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi complex...

  21. 21 Al Anbariya Masjid
    Temples Popular

    Al Anbariya Masjid

    Al Anbariya Masjid, also known as the Hamidiyah Mosque, is a historic site commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II...

  22. 22 جبل الرماة
    Natural attractions Popular

    جبل الرماة

    Jabal al-Rumah, also known as the Mountain of Archers, is a small rocky hill in Medina that served as a critical tactica...

  23. 23 Al Aswaf Garden
    Parks Known locally

    Al Aswaf Garden

    Al Aswaf Garden is a public green space located in the Bani Abdul Ashhal district of Medina, Saudi Arabia. It serves as...

  24. 24 Al Fath Mosque
    Temples Known locally

    Al Fath Mosque

    Al Fath Mosque is located on the western slope of Mount Sala' in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Seven Mosques co...

  25. 25 Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Sports City
    Venues Known locally

    Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Sports City

    Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Sports City serves as the primary multi-purpose athletic complex in Medina, Saudi Arabia....

  26. 26 Alsalam Museum
    Museums Known locally

    Alsalam Museum

    The Alsalam Museum is a specialized institution dedicated to the history and biography of the Prophet Muhammad. It is lo...

  27. 27 Masjid Ali bin Abi Talib (RA)
    Temples Known locally

    Masjid Ali bin Abi Talib (RA)

    Masjid Ali bin Abi Talib is a historic site in the Al Manakhah district of Medina, associated with the life of Ali ibn A...

  28. 28 Masjid Omar bin Khattab
    Temples Known locally

    Masjid Omar bin Khattab

    Masjid Omar bin Khattab is a historical site in Medina dedicated to the second Caliph, Omar ibn al-Khattab. It is locate...

  29. 29 Osmanli Hurma Bahçesi
    Parks Known locally

    Osmanli Hurma Bahçesi

    Osmanli Hurma Bahçesi is a historic date palm orchard in Medina, historically linked to the Ottoman era and located near...

  30. 30 Masjid Imam Bukhari
    Temples Known locally

    Masjid Imam Bukhari

    Masjid Imam Bukhari is a local neighborhood mosque located in the Bada'ah district of Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is named...

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Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Medina?

Aventuro lists 50 curated attractions in and around Medina, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Medina?

Al Masjid-e-Nabawi is the most popular place to visit in Medina right now.

What kind of attractions does Medina have?

The largest category is temples, with 27 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore Riyadh, Diriyah, Jeddah.

Explore more of Saudi Arabia

Other cities ranked by number of curated places.