Madinah is the second holiest site in Islam after Makkah, largely because it is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and where the religion attracted its first followers. Madinah is home to Masjid al Nabawi, the second largest mosque with towering minarets and a signature green dome is built on the site of Mohammed’s (PBUH) home. The elegant minarets and stately domes dominate the skyline of the city. Madinah has a population of approximately more than 1.3 million people and is inhabited only by Muslims. Islam’s first and oldest mosque, Masjid Quba, is also located in Madinah along with the tombs of the famous Abu Bakr (RA), Umar
There are several entertainment areas in and around Madinah that can be attractive for children. These places include King Fahd Park, Al Hamra Park, Al Nakheel Park, Central Park, Taibeh Land Tourism Village, Aliyet Al Medina Souk, Rashed Mega Mall Complex, Al Hassen Mall, Al Bu’aijan Park, Al Gadi Park, Al Hukair Luna Park, Wild Baydha Park, Agool Park, Abu Terboosh Park, Bayt Al Madina Park and Nowres Park.
Jannat-ul-Baqi is the burial ground of some of the closest companions of the Prophet (PBUH) including some of his wives and daughters. It is right next to the Masjid Al Nabawi and Muslim men should definitely visit the site and say a prayer for the deceased. Please note that the area is forbidden for women.
It is a specialized museum of Madinah which unravels the early stages of Madinah’s development. The museum contains visual media and pictures of the city.
This is the area where the Prophet (PBUH) along with his companions dug the trenches to prevent the enemy, the non-Muslims, from entering Madinah. Although the trenches have been replaced by a metal road which may turn out to be a little disappointing we still recommend that you at least visit the location.
Mount Uhud, 1077 metres high, is a very famous mountain in Islamic history. The 2nd battle of Islam that took place between Muslims and infidels was fought near this mountain. The Muslims lost this battle unfortunately but they learned numerous valuables lessons from it through the verdicts of Allah in the Holy Quran. The Prophet (PBUH) often showed emotion when he discussed the Uhud Mount and said that the Uhud Mount loves Madinah and the Madinites love it back.
The Madinah Dates Company and the Dates Market offer varieties of dates from chocolate flavored and almond filled to the traditional khajji. These dates are a major attraction for foreign nationals since dates of Madinah are famous worldwide for their supreme taste and quality. The Dates Company has an on-premise factory and offers more expensive dates than the ones offered by the Dates Market.
The Old Bazaar offers a very wide variety of extremely cheap items including garments, wrist-watches, perfumes, prayer caps, kitchen wear, etc. Most items usually cost around SAR 10 and naturally it is a risky bargain so be careful of what you buy.
It is a specialist museum about the history of Madinah, revealing the early stages of the city’s development. The museum contains visual and audio media for explanation and guidance.
Taiba Land Resort Street Al-Khalil Str POBOX 587 Telephone 48458600 Fax 48458709
Ghanimah Theme Parks & Parks Address: Street ِAirport Str Telephone 48132166
Offering Oriental and International Cuisines, the Madinah Restaurant and Marmara Restaurants offer 3 and 2 meals a day respectively. You must try the Red Sea shrimp or lobster thermidore at the Madinah Hotel and definitely try the mixed grill Mediterranean-style fish at the Marmara Restaurant. Café Najd This cafe is located inside the luxurious Madinah Hilton, just a few steps away from the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) Mosque in Madinah. At the Café Najd you will come across fresh juices, pastries and light snacks. The Hiltonia Mocktail is a specialty of this Café.
These 3 restaurants are located inside the Hotel Anwar Al Madinah’s premises. The Al Salam Main serves both oriental and western breakfasts; Al Rehab serves a variety of international specialties in a quiet atmosphere and Al Taiba serves international buffets.
It is perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in town. It gives you the vibes of a restaurant from the Far East and yet it is located right here in the Middle East. One of the specialties of this unique eating place includes the Chicken in cashew nut sauce that would cost you about SR 20 per plate.
Al Tazaj is barbeque chicken restaurant chain in Saudi Arabia. The chicken comes fresh from the poultry farms and is then marinated using natural ingredients. Its menu includes barbecued chicken, chicken kabab sandwiches, french fries etc. The following are its 3 outlets in Madinah:
Pizza Hut is an international pizza chain and has outlets in Tabuk, Yanbu, Khobar, Dhahran, Dammam, Qatif, Jubail, Ras Tanurah, Buraidah, Hail, Onaizah, Riyadh (32 branches), Taif, Makkah, Madinah etc. Its branches in Madinah are on Al-Hazim Road, Qurban Street and Sultana Street.
Pizza Inn is fast food chain with approximately 27 restaurants in the central & eastern provinces; owned by United Food Co, part of the Abdullah Abunayyan Group. It has outlets in Riyadh, Dammam, Khobar, Doha, Ahsa, Kharj, Madinah etc.
Kudu is a Fast food chain, with almost 114 restaurants across Saudi Arabia. Its menu includes sandwiches ( mainly chicken, beef, combo, turkey, club), steaks, burgers etc and has outlets in Riyadh, Dhahran, Madinah, Jubail, Jeddah, Makkah, Khobar etc.
The popular Saudi alternative to KFC, this restaurant specializes in selling fried chicken for outrageously low prices. They also offer shrimp, fish and burgers and fries as well. The restaurant has outlets all over Saudi Arabia (except for Riyadh )
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Built in 1988 and remodeled in 2000, the Madina Oberoi is a 5-star hotel with Islamic Design and luxuriously furnished rooms. It provides an uninterrupted view of the Prophet’s Mosque and the Green Dome. Its dining options include international and Indian cuisine. The hotel offers various services including babysitting, hair salon, parking garage, room service (limited hours), laundry, and barbecue grill, parking garage and more. It also hosts a business center and conference room(s).
The AlJaad CROM Madina Hotel is a 4-star hotel with fresh décor and modern amenities. It is located in Al-Madinah’s city centre and is within walking distance from the Prophet’s Mosque and Bab Al Salam Gate. This state-of-the-art hotel is equipped with modern technology (wireless Internet access) and offers guests a variety of restaurants, a café shop, a ballroom, a business center, pick & drop services accompanied with 24-hour front desk, onsite car rental and tour assistance services. The rooms have coffee/tea makers, direct dial phones, cable television service, soundproofed walls, rollaway beds and refrigerators.
Le Meridien was built in 1978 and remodeled in 2006. The interior has been decorated with fine Italian marble in a unique and traditional Saudi Arabian style. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the Medina International Airport and 7km away from the Qiblatain Mosque, Islamic University and the Sultana Shopping Center. It offers convenient and flexible meeting facilities for businessmen and religious travelers, an onsite barber shop and a spacious yet intimate lobby. It is open for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The Dar Al Iman InterContinental is located right on the Masjid al Nabawi’s plaza, and is only a 10-minute walk from King Abdul Aziz library. The Taiba Mall and Bin Dawood Supermarket are right next to Dar Al Iman. The hotel offers a safe, a mini-bar and a private bathroom to each room with laundry, ironing, 24-hour front desk and tour desk services too. The onsite Rotana Restaurant offers buffet and an à la carte menu. Wireless Internet is available in the entire hotel (including the Business Centre) and costs S.A.R. 20/hour and S.A.R. 75 per 24 hours.
The Hilton is a 5-star hotel located only a short walk from Masjid Al-Nabawi, a perfect place for Hajj and Umrah visitors. It is smack in the heart of the city’s shopping district and provides a range of breathtaking views of the Holy Mosque. The hotel offers on site laundry, dry cleaning, currency exchange and an ATM/Cash Machine. It also provides a 24-hour front desk, a business center and a designated smoking area. Wired Internet is available in both the business center and public areas at a cost of S.A.R. 50/hour.
The Movenpick Hotel is a family-friendly city-center hotel to the north of Masjid Al-Nabawi. The Baqi Al Gharqad; Quba’ Mosque is also nearby. This 4-star property features 3 restaurants (Marrakech that serves authentic Moroccan cuisine, Shiraz serves traditional Persian cuisine and Movenpick Hotel Restaurant has an international buffet) along with a 24-hour business center, wireless Internet access (for a charge) and meeting/conference rooms for small groups. The staff can readily arrange concierge and wedding services. Other routine amenities include dry cleaning/laundry and tour assistance services. Moreover, the hotel also has to offer a multilingual staff, child care and several room-oriented complementary services.
The Madinah Marriott is a 5-star hotel located opposite Madinah Governor Office. The hotel offers free of cost shuttle buses to Haram 24/7 which is just a 2 minutes drive. Along with that there is 24-hours room service, coffee shop, business center and high speed wireless Internet access at competitive prices. Furthermore, the hotel provides coffee in the lobby, toll-free phone calls, copy & fax service and network/internet printing.
A newly built hotel in 2007, the Ramada Al Hamra is a 0–star property 15 meters away from Prophet’s Mosque. It offers deluxe rooms with coffee/tea stations, 21-inch plasma screen TV and a guest safe box in each room. Each room is provided with a free daily fruit-basket and there is onsite open buffet and an à la carte menu restaurant. Other amenities include free local telephone calls, wake-up calls, an ironing board (furnished upon request) and a multilingual hotel staff.
Al Muna Kareem was built in 2005 and lies 70 meters from the Prophet’s Mosque. This 5-star hotel along with many other hotels is located in central Madinah near Masjid Al-Nabawi and Baqi Al Gharqad. The onsite restaurant provides 3 meals a day. It offers complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access along with meeting facilities that include banquet facilities and conference rooms for small groups. Other amenities include onsite shopping facilities and laundry/dry cleaning services. Even guestrooms offer separate sitting areas and have complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access.
A short walk from the Prophet’s Mosque and King Abdul Aziz Library, Elaf Taiba offers comfortable rooms with satellite TV and a mini-fridge in each. It has an onsite restaurant that offers numerous dishes. The business and commercial areas especially the Sultana Street are very close by the hotel. The hotel offers services including a laundry, business center, currency exchange, ironing, ATM/Cash machine, packed lunches and a 24-hour front desk. Wireless internet is available in public areas at a cost of S.A.R. 60 per 24 hours.
Being part of the Arabian Peninsula, Madinah is naturally dry for most of the year. The coolest months on the calendar are January and February but even these months are hot. In July, temperatures can reach highs of 40 degrees-Celsius, making it quite unbearable in the daytime for any sort of activites. The ideal time to pay a visit to Madinah is between the months of November and May because it gets really hot May onwards. However, since Muslims usually visit Madinah while on a Hajj, Umrah or during Ramadan, they are left with little choice as to when they visit the city.
-Location:: Madinah (Al Madinah Al Munawarah) is located in the Eastern Part of Al Hijaz region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It lies about 150 miles to the east of Red Sea & Egypt situated in the north-western part of KSA. The city is 620 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 50 square kilometers.; -Dialing code:: +9664 or 009664; -Emergency numbers:: Police: 04-823-0930; 04-822-9373; Fire: Ambulance: 997 Airport Inquiry: 04-842-0000 (Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Airport) -Population: greater than 1.3million (as per 2006 data) -Languages: Arabic -Time zone: GMT + 03:00 hour -Average January temperatures – Min: 11.6 C Max: 23.6 C -Average July temperatures – Min: 28.4 C Max: 39.3 C -Annual rainfall: 49.1mm
The Riyal is the currency of Saudi Arabia (code: SAR)
1. 11th Sept: Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends) 2. 23rd Sept: Saudi National Day 3. 17th Nov: Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Month Average Min. Temp C Average Max. Temp C January 12 24 February 13 26 March 17 30 April 21 34 May 25 39 June 28 42 July 28 39 August 29 42 September 27 41 October 22 36 November 17 30 December 13 25
The city is mostly inhabited by Arabs with some Asian and African minorities in the mix also. Modesty in dress (especially for women), abstention from alcohol, and no nightclubs, movie theaters or similar entertainment exist in this city, so residents tend to be quite religious. Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world, with several deluxe five-star hotels with luxurious amenities offered to visitors. Despite the luxurious environment, Islamic laws are still upheld above Western values. This can be seen in the gyms and fitness centers that cater to men only.
Madinah is the second holiest site in Islam after Makkah, largely because it is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and where the religion attracted its first followers. Madinah is home to Masjid al Nabawi, the second largest mosque with towering minarets and a signature green dome is built on the site of Mohammed’s (PBUH) home. The elegant minarets and stately domes dominate the skyline of the city. Madinah has a population of approximately more than 1.3 million people and is inhabited only by Muslims. Islam’s first and oldest mosque, Masjid Quba, is also located in Madinah along with the tombs of the famous Abu Bakr (RA), Umar (RA) and Fatima (RA). If people do go for tour visits then they must be ready to adhere to the code of conduct, which includes maintaining proper dress code and decorum.
Madinah (originally known as Yathrib) is an extremely old city. It existed hundreds of years before the advent of Islam. The city, situated on a plain surrounded by hills, has abundant water supplies, vast date palms and vegetable gardens. Thus, in the past Madinah became a supplier of food and water to trade caravans on the move from southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula to Syria and Egypt along the Red Sea.
Madinah is known for being one of the biggest producers of high quality dates; you are likely to find all kinds of shops in the Dates Market selling distinct variety of delicious dates suiting to all kinds of tastes. There is a factory outlet of Madinah Dates Company where you will find a more selected category of dates.
Street vendors are also a part of the city’s attraction, famously known to be selling every kind of product. They offer both affordable and high quality goods. These inexpensive shops are easily distinguishable from the more expensive alternatives, since they sport giant signboards claiming ‘Everything is 2/5/10 Riyals.’
Some of the most popular souvenir items of Madinah include their high quality prayer mats for worshippers and their exotic non-alcoholic perfumes (called Iturs), which visitors from abroad are known to buy in bulk to take back home. Other souvenirs include magnets pointing towards the Ka’abah, caps, tasbeeh or rosary beads, abayas (the black cloak muslim women wear), pictures of the holy city and mosques, religious CDs, copies of the Holy Quran, clocks sounding Azan or the call to prayer (correct to the second) for nearly 5 million cities, etc.
Al-Hokair Group Address: Street ِAbu Baker Al-Seddig Str Telephone 48312056
The Madinah region is rich in Islamic inscriptions carved on rock faces and is among the Kingdom’s richest regions in Islamic writing. Islamic sites also contain tombstone inscriptions providing important information about people who lived in the region. Their texts reveal occupations, titles, professions, crafts and the places and tribes to which they belonged. Such stones have been found in Al Rabadhah, Al Farsh and within Madinah. Dozens of Islamic inscriptions have been found across the region, notably Al Hinakiyyah, Wadi Al Suwaydirah, Bi’r Al Saybiyyah, Al Uwaynah, Wadi Al Khanq, Al Rabadhah, Al Mahd, Al Suwayriqiyyah, Al Haradiyyah in Khaybar, Rawawah south of Madinah, Al Furaysh, Al Wuqayhah, Al Khadra (30 kilometres south of Al Akhal), and the rock faces of Wadi Al Ula and Wadi Al Mu’tadil. At scattered sites, travellers and residents left rock-carved texts containing names, notable persons, traditional supplications and Quranic passages, some bearing dates.
Al Suwaydirah lies 60 km northeast of Madinah on the Qassim road. It represents the remains of a deeply ancient history, with antiquities dating to seven thousand years before Christ. Wadi Al Suwaydirah presents a picture of neglect and disregard for this historic heritage, with no one protecting it, leaving it prey to neglect and defacement. As soon as you walk through the valley, you feel a sense of awe before the meticulously arranged drawings on the rocks.
This museum is in Bab Al Anbariyyah Square, in the railway station building overlooking Omar bin Al Khattab Street from the north. It currently occupies one floor of a station building on the eastern side, with an estimated area of 400 m2, and is under development.
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar. It is the month of fasting when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn till sunset. The purpose is to teach Muslims patience, modesty and spirituality. It’s the time to offer more prayers than usual and seek refuge in Allah. It is the dearest festivals of the Muslims that culminates to Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of the month. Ramadan in Madinah is especially marked by a huge influx of visiting Muslims from all over the world. The Masjid Al-Nabawi is jam packed during the month and entertains a very warming and welcoming environment within its walls. The locals offer free Iftar at sunset. Madinah remains a very buzzing city throughout the month.
Eid-ul-Fitr in essence is a celebration by the Muslims to thank Allah for blessing them with the Holy Month of Ramadan. This month gives them an opportunity to get all their sins forgiven from the Almighty and get back to ground zero in terms of their bad deeds. Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of sharing joy and happiness as gratitude for Allah’s numerous bounties. The Muslims hug each other as a show of emotion and love without the distinction of race or color. Shopping centers and malls are literally overwhelmed with people and simply put, the whole environment is very festive and refreshing.
It is perhaps the only non-religious event that takes place in the city. The Saudi National Day signifies the day when Saudi Arabia became an independent state. It marks the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz in 1932. It was first celebrated in the year 2005 and is a day of jubilation for the locals and celebrations are marked by a national public holiday.
This is the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ or ‘Greater Eid’ marking the day after Arafat during Haj. Domestic animals (usually goats, cows or sheep) are sacrificed as a symbol of Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion to Allah. During this time, there is none of the usual rush in the city because all visiting pilgrims perform their sacrifice in Makkah. So Madinah is usually quiet in comparison. However, the locals are very spirited during the 4 days of Eid-ul-Adha distributing meat and chanting ‘Takbir’ out loud before and after prayers.
This tour company will commence tour operations for Madinah shortly. Currently they just operate out of Jeddah.
Jalwah Tours offers services to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah's visitors; arranges city tours, hotel reservations, airport pick-ups etc. They also offer tour guides who are native speakers of over 17 languages
This Masjid is the second mosque ever built in Islam after the Quba Mosque. It is so much more valuable to the Muslims because it was built by the Prophet and his Companions. It is the major attraction of Madinah and the only reason why so many Muslims around the world flock to this city. It is a Grand Mosque that is signified by its stately green dome and fine Islamic architecture. It is also the resting place of the Prophet (PBUH) and two of his closest companions: Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA).
Masjid Al Qiblatain has a very historical significance in Islam. In the early years of Islam the Muslims of Madinah used to pray with their faces towards the Masjid Al Aqsa (the mosque in Jerusalem). It is at this masjid that Allah revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) the Ayats of the Quran that commanded the Muslims to now face the Holy Ka’abah. The Prophet (PBUH) then tilted his face towards the Ka’abah and was immediately followed by his companions. The Mosque previously had two prayer niches (mihrabs) facing the two directions but recent renovation has lead to the removal of the mihrab facing Jerusalem. It is advised to perform two Rakahs prayer when you visit this Masjid.
Masjid Juma was constructed on the place where the first Juma was performed by the Muslims in congregation. It remains closed for the entire week except for Fridays. So if your stay in Madinah extends to a Friday then definitely go out there and make your own luck.
Masjid Quba is the first mosque in Islam and was constructed when the Prophet (PBUH) was migrating from Makkah to Madinah whilst he was accompanied by his close companion Abu Bakr (RA). Masjiq Quba has tremendous significance and the Prophet (PBUH) said that those who would perform two Rakahs in this Masjid would get rewards equivalent to that of an Umra.
Haram Al Madinah, Medina Saudi Arabia
Medina Saudi Arabia
SAPTCO i.e. the Saudi Arabian Public Transort Company runs luxurious buses that provide excellent air-conditioning, baggage-space, water bottles and sometimes snacks too. These buses run several times a day from almost all parts of Saudi Arabia at very affordable rates. You can find SAPTCO bus stations right next to the Masjid Al-Nabawi. Please note that the SAPTCO terminal is off-limits to non-Muslims.
Taxis are the most common form of in-town transportation and are used in most major cities of Saudi Arabia including Madinah. Taxis can be hailed from anywhere inside the city and can even be hired in advance from taxi drivers standing on the roadside. The rates offered have considerable room for negotiation/bargaining so one should keep that in mind.
In Madinah, there are numerous car rental options because the city is usually packed to capacity with visitors during the holy months. In order to cater to such a huge demand in certain periods, several car rental companies have opened up full time businesses. Some hiring agencies have their own regulations for issuing cars and these should be followed.
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport is 8km away from the major urban centre in Madinah, and mostly handles domestic flights as well as a few international flights to Istanbul, Cairo and Damascus. The average taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is SAR 30-35 which can only be paid in cash. The airport is accessible to non-Muslims too. Some hotels also offer shuttle service from the airport to the hotel premises. Please not that there are no private or public buses available from the Prince Mohammed Airport.
• Keep your cars on the right side of the road since the steering wheel is also situated on the right hand side. • You can drive with an International Drivers License for three months after you arrive. However, after that you should get a Saudi driver's license (given that you stay for more than 3 months). • Watch for cameras on the streets because the police are waiting to catch you over speeding, which could lead to fines. • When you want to make a left or right turn, turn the car around, do reverse parking or any other movement, then it is always better and safer to use hand signals. • All cars are automatic transmission and the local driver’s license is required to be eligible for driving.
As usual, when you’re travelling outside your home country you should always make sure that both your travel and medical insurances are up to date. If you are not the kind of person who goes for insurances then you should definitely keep the contacts (telephone/cell) numbers of your travel agent and your family/preferred doctor at all times. Additionally, you should always keep a basic first aid kit with you including any form of Ibuprofen, allergy medication and other necessary supplies in case of an emergency.
