Madinah is the second holiest city on earth and is very highly regarded in Islam. It is located 400km north of Mecca, in the west of Saudi Arabia. People from all over the world come to visit it every year during the Holy Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. On their trip, they wish to cover all the important places to visit in Madinah.
The city is not only adorned with mesmerising views but also houses various historical places that the pilgrims can visit during their pilgrimage journey or on vacation. Before the rise of Islam, this city was originally known as Yathrib and was renamed as Madinat an-Nabi (the Prophet’s City or city of the Prophet) after Prophet Mohammad’s death and later as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (The Enlightened City). Not only is it the city with the fourth highest population but is also the capital of Madinah Province of Saudi Arabia.
Besides places of religious significance, the city has a lot to offer to pilgrims and other tourists. Let’s look at some of the most important and popular places to visit in Madinah.
Religious Places to Visit in Madinah
1. Al-Masjid An-Nabawi: The Prophet’s Mosque or Al-Masjid An-Nabawi was the second site built by the Holy Prophet in the first year of Hirja when he emigrated from Makkah to Madinah. The mosque inhabits the tomb of Prophet Muhammad, which can be recognised by a bright green coloured dome in the southeast corner of the mosque. This is the second most visited Islamic site after Masjid-e-Haram in Mecca. Millions of people visit the mosque during their Umrah and Hajj journey and offer their prayers. It is generally open regardless of time or date.
Abu Huraira (one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad) reported Prophet Muhammad saying: “Prayer in my mosque is more excellent than a thousand prayers observed in other mosques except the Masjid al-Haram.”
2. Quba Mosque: Located 6 km away from Madinah, the Quba Mosque was built in the village of Quba. It is believed that this might be the first mosque in the world that is in existence from the time of the Holy Prophet in the 7th century CE. Prophet Muhammad visited this mosque when he was emigrating from Makkah to Madinah. He spent 14 days in the mosque while waiting for Ali (his son-in-law) to arrive in Madinah. This is the second-largest mosque in Madinah after the Prophet’s Mosque. One can observe large gatherings in the mosque in the mornings as a lot of visitors and worshippers visit the mosque throughout the year.
3. Masjid al-Qiblatayn: The Mosque of the Two Qiblas or Masjid al-Qiblatayn is the site where the Holy Prophet received the instructions to change the direction of prayer (Qibla) from Jerusalem to Makkah. Sawad bin Ghanam bin Kaab built this mosque in 623 CE, and it is amongst the few mosques to have two mihrabs (niche indicating the qibla).
Historical Places in Madinah
4. Jannat-al-Baqi: The Garden of Heaven or Jannat-al-Baqi, is amongst the first cemeteries of Madinah. This is the resting place of various scholars, companions and the Prophet’s family, including Hazrat Imam HasanIbn Ali (his grandson) and Hazrat Fatima-al-Zehra (his daughter). It is believed that the Prophet himself chose this spot to be a cemetery. Al-Baqi (an Ansari companion) was the first person to be buried here. He died soon after the Prophet migrated to Madinah.
The cemetery is opened after Fajur and Asar prayers, and the best way to enter it is through gate no. 1 of Masjid-e-Nabwi.
5. Mount Uhud: Located about 4 km away from the Prophet’s Mosque, Mount Uhud is an important Islamic landmark as this was the site where the Battle of Uhud was fought in 625 CE. There is a cemetery near the site where the martyrs of the battle are buried. The cemetery contains 70 martyrs, including Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, Prophet Muhammad’s uncle.
Read More: Popular Places To Visit In Madinah During Umrah
Beautiful Places to Visit near Madinah
6. The Desert of Saleh: This desert is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Madinah. With gigantic tombs and graves, it has several drawings and inscriptions on its walls. This is a must-visit tourist attraction in the city as it is also considered a UNESCO World’s Heritage site with the best-preserved remains of the lost Nabataean Kingdom. It is located south of Al Nafud and is an incredible sight in the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It is recommended to leave your hotel early so that you can drive up to the place in time and thoroughly explore the site.
7. Wadi e Jinn – Al Baida: Only 41 km away from the city, the valley is mystical and casts a mysterious effect on the cars, allowing them to move without any effort from the driver. Locals believe that the place has the power of Jinn, and a few have claimed to hear sounds that belong to them. However, geologists call it a phenomenon of reverse gravity.
Family Places in and around Madinah
8. Yanbu Beach: In the port city of Yanbu-al-Bahr, 120 miles away from Madinah, this mesmerising beach is famous for picturesque views, fun water games and blue landscapes. Travellers can enjoy jet skiing, scuba diving and sailing or adore the traces of fishermen houses that were built traditionally. It is an important port and an ideal retreat from the busy city life.
9. Al-Madinah Museum: This is the very first museum that was built in the city of Madinah. It portrays the history of Islam and also holds various archaeological collections, rare images of the city and visual galleries. There are at least 2000 artefacts depicting the rich and vibrant Islamic heritage in the museum. It is located on King Abdul Road in the Madinah Knowledge Economic City. It is the oldest museum in the city and presents the rich Islamic heritage along with the details of Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Madinah museum timings are from 11 am to 7 pm. It is open from Saturday to Thursday, and is closed on Friday. Entry fee us SR25 ($6.70).
10. Al Noor Mall: This mall witnesses around 150,000 visitors every week. One can find everything from Armani suits to traditional Arabic dresses. This mall houses a combination of restaurants, international retail and Spark’s Family Entertainment area.
The mall is open from 10 AM to 11 PM from Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday. On Fridays, it is open from 1:30 AM to 11 PM.
All these beautiful places bustle with tourists during the month of Ramadan. If you are planning a Madinah trip for next Ramadan, here’s a glimpse of what to expect during Ramadan in Madinah.
Places To Visit In Madinah FAQs
What was Madinah originally known as?
Before the rise of Islam, this city was originally known as Yathrib and was renamed as Madinat an-Nabi (the Prophets City or city of the Prophet) after the death of Prophet Muhammad and later as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (The Enlightened City).
Which was the first museum built in Madinah?
Al-Madinah Museum was the very first museum that was built in the city of Madinah. It portrays the history of Islam and also holds various archaeological collections, rare images of the city and visual galleries. There are at least 2000 artefacts depicting the rich and vibrant Islamic heritage in the museum.
What is Wadi e Jinn known for?
Only 41 km away from the city, the valley is mystical and casts a mysterious effect on the cars, allowing them to move without any effort from the driver. Locals believe that the place has the power of Jinn, and a few have claimed to hear sounds that belong to them. However, geologists call it a phenomenon of reverse gravity.
What are the timings of Al Noor Mall?
The mall is open from 10 AM to 11 PM from Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday. On Fridays, it is open from 1:30 AM to 11 PM.
