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Things to Do in Medina

What to do in Medina

Step back in time at Assalam Museum, Visit the holy Al-Masjid An Nawabi, Check out the Cave of Bani Haram, Stop by Uthman Ibn Affan's Farm and Well, Pay your respects at Al-Baqi', Visit the historical place of Mount Uhud, and many more.

Most of the things to do in Medina are connected to history, ancient times and islamic culture. It is the true essence of the historical and cultural ride that astonishes the visitors with its explicit beauty. You can delve into the life of Prophet Muhammad from the time of immigration until his death. If you are still wondering what are the best things to do in Madinah, you can go on an expedition to the historical museums and downtown districts for shopping and events. Each of the mosques has its unique story to narrate.

You can witness the ancient writings, swords, plates, clothing, and other artifacts in the Dar Al Madinah Museum. A day trip to The Seven Mosques will also keep you full of spiritual energy for the entire day. Moreover, visiting the Uthman Ibn Affan’s Farm and Well leaves the tourists surprised with its majestic well that saved the people in times of drought. If you are a history enthusiast and a shopping lover, Al Noor Mall will never disappoint you with its vast collection of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. You should pay a visit to this place to explore the other open markets near the mall that sell attar, dates, Naabi Booti, prayer rug, and much more.

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Al-Baqi'

Opened to the public in 2008, Al Baqi is a 9-square-kilometer park located on the outskirts of Riyadh. The land belonged to the ancestors, but it was stolen from them by force 700 years ago by one of Muhammad's caliphs. The enormous çamyab trees, which are over two centuries old, are one of the most popular attractions. Al Baqi also has numerous retail malls, lush parks, and leisure places.

Dar Al Madinah Museum

Delve deeper into the strong and unparalleled Islamic beliefs of Medinah and learn about its extravagant past and observe the finest and rarest collection of artifacts at ‘The Madinah Museum’. Studded with fourteen immune galleries highlighting different sections like science, art, history, religion and culture, this museum is the perfect escapade for the history buff within you. Enjoy the vibe of royal antiquity and serenity that surrounds this archaic attraction.

Wadi E Jinn

Discover the magic behind the serene climes of Wadi e Jin, which is a mountainous rocky road located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Medina. Wadi E Jin is a long stretch of rocky road where the cars run without drivers or accelerators. Many locals and history buffs believe it to be the effect of jin and have also claimed of hearing mystical and eerie voices asking people to leave the location.

Cave of Bani Haram

Discover this archaic ruin or moreover the enthralling mountainous location where the Prophet was found doing his Sajdah before the massive battle of Uhud in the Islamic culture. The cave of Bani Haram is an archaic heritage tourist attraction which is in ruins today post its destruction in the later years of the war. The entire cave is encapsulated with serene and panoramic mountains and valleys and deep trenches which will definitely teleport

Jabal Ayr

Standing at a colossal height of 106 ftJabal Ayr is the second largest mountain peak in Arabian land. Jabal Ayr features the splendid Hijaz mountain which renders unbelievable views from the top. According to the locals and historians, Jabal Ayr was commonly known as the ‘mountain of hell’ in the past. Learn about the intriguing history of this popular tourist attraction and take home a myriad of memories.

Sheikh Salama Rashdan Museum

If you fancy knowing about the enticing history of Saudi Arabia and the humongous history of Islamic culture, then there is no better location to explore than Sheikh Salama Museum. This beautiful and exquisite Museum has massive art galleries, enticing exhibitions with displays of antiques and souvenirs, Prophet’s mosque, pleasing and intricately designed interiors and an enthusiastic ambiance.

Anbariya Mosque

Amidst a myriad of enticing mosques encapsulating baffling history, Anbairya mosque is one such magical site of religious significance. Built by the Turkish people under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, this massive gate was earlier a humongous gate welcoming Jeddah people from the seaport. Indulge into a soul-rejuvenating and calming evening prayer at this mosque and explore the historic details and intricate architecture adorning the walls of this massive mosque.

Masjid Al Ghamamah

With a baffling history and colossal and intricate architecture, the mosque of Al-Ghamama is a very significant religious attraction in Medina and one of the largest mosques in Saudi Arabia as well. This beautiful mosque is the site where the Prophet offered his evening prayer in the year 631 and followed by which Saudi Arabia received a heavy rainfall post a drought.

Masjed Quba

An evening prayer to Allah at this massive religious site which is also the oldest and one of the largest mosques in the world is all one needs for a serene and rejuvenating escapade in their vacation. Masjid Quba had its first stones installed by Muhammad Prophet himself which makes this attraction stands out the most. Quba mosque is studded with humongous courtyards made up of white, red and black marbles, around 56 exemplary designed entrances.

Hejaz Railway Museum

Hejaz Railway Museum is an excellent tourist attraction which is the restoration of the old Ottoman railway station. Opened in 2006, this museum has a grandiose platform that will teleport you to the Ottoman empire times. Admire the intricate Hejaz railways line and learn how the massive transportation system was administered from the office which ran at the platform. Tourists can find age-old train engines and other abandoned railways lines.

Masjid Al Qiblatayn

This beautiful mosque is a splendid tourist attraction and holds a significant place in Islamic culture because it was the last site where Prophet Muhammad commanded to change the prayer direction from Jerusalem to Mecca. With many other such startling facts, visiting this mosque and indulging in a relaxing and rejuvenating evening prayer is believed to render a time in bliss and utter sanctity.

Mount Uhud

Marking its way as the most significant religious site in Uhud, these humongous and colossal valleys and peaks were the sites of the Battle of Uhud. This unique mountain system attracts a large number of devotees from around the world to offer their prayers and learn about the startling historic details. This mountain is also a popular hiking and rock climbing expedition and promises a thrilling experience till the top.

Al Noor Mall

Fancy a fun and entertaining shopping experience at the best marketing hubs of Saudi Arabia? Al-Noor mall is one of the largest and most vibrant locations featuring a myriad of high-end boutiques, splendid game sections, food courts, and a very relaxing ambiance with immense hospitality. Al-Noor Mall houses top-notch international brands like Zara, Armani, Gucci, Prada, and more, rendering a plethora of choices for the shopaholic within you.

The Holy Quran Exhibition

Amidst a plethora of museums, the Holy Quran museum stands out as an immense attraction truly highlighting the heritage and power of Islamic culture. The Holy Quran museum houses 9 Qurans with rare and extrinsic content belonging to archaic centuries as old as 1536. The Holy Quran exhibition has over 2000 rare relics and artifacts on display which makes this museum one of its kind. The museum consists of an extravagant and intricately designed lobby.

The Green Dome

The green dome is a fascinating location which is an amusing religious and pilgrimage attraction of Medina, also commonly known as the resting place of the Prophet. This ethereal mosque is the largest mosque of Medina and attracts a humongous crowd during the Ramadan months. Tourists can admire the 623 AD detailing of the intricate architecture and learn about the intriguing Islamic culture and customs in depth.

Al Masjid an Nabawi

This was the second mosque built by Muhammad and is also the second most holy place in Islam with a rich political and religious history. Originally designed as an open space for the community with school for children, the modern mosque is a two story building with an ottoman prayer hall. It is a resting place for Muhammad and the first two Rashidin Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar and is generally open to visitors regardless of the day or time.

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Medina Things To Do FAQs

What are the best things to do in Medina?

1. Step back in time at Assalam Museum: Situated to the western side of the Bab-al-Salam of the Prophet’s Mosque, Assalam Museum is ancient corporal documentation of the migration that happened around 1400 years ago. The museum exploration is one of the best things to do in Medina where you can see the flare of Islam to choose al Medina for their struggle.

Here, you can step back in time, when the Prophet’s Mosque was constructed until the choice of the place for the spread of Islam. You will also witness the ancient unique writings of the Quran on several pieces of rocks. Therefore, you must visit this place to explore the unique side of the story in 10 different halls.

2. Visit the holy Al-Masjid An Nawabi: Al-Masjid an Nawabi is yet another beautiful holy mosque for Muslims, where they can have a spiritual connection with God. People from all around the world visit this community center and Islamic School for Muslims. The mosque was initially a tiny building that stands individually next to the palm trees, the leaves of which spread all over the museum.

These spiritual things to do in Madinah allow around two million pilgrims to gather under the holy roof. The Al-Masjid an Nawabi also features the house of Prophet Muhammad and two of his lovely companions. The area is considered to be the paradise on Earth by Muslims.

3. Experience the rise of Islam at Dar Al Madinah Museum: Dar Al Madinah Museum is another one of the best things to do in Medina where you can live the story from the initial times. The halls of the museum display the true representation of the rise of Islam. This largest museum in Medina takes you on a spiritual journey to meet the early Muslims.

It also showcases several artifacts that date back in time, including swords, plates, clothing, old Quranic scriptures, and helmets. There are different halls in the museum, each for the Prophet, his wife, and children, immigrants, Caliphs, Ansar, and the city’s history, nature, and heritage. Therefore, the museum is a free expedition to the history of Medina.

4. Check out the Cave of Bani Haram: The Cave of Bani Haram holds great significance in the history of Medina. It is the place where the Battle of The Trench was fought between the Muslims and the Quraysh and other Arab tribes. Nestled at the northwest of the Prophet’s Mosque, the Cave of Bani Haran was once the resting place of the Prophet during the battle.

It was at this cave where he prostrated after receiving the message from Allah. Hence, it is also well-known as the Cave of Prostration. The cave is located in the dynasty of the Bani Haran tribe, and the people believed that the companion Jabir ibn Abdullah lived there.

5. Go on a day trip to The Seven Mosques: If you are looking for things to do in Medina, you can head for a day trip to The Seven Mosques. It is a large complex that includes several historical mosques. The largest of the seven mosques is the Al-Fath Mosque where the Prophet prayed for the victory in the Battle of Trench that went into the favor of Muslims.

The second mosque was named after Salman al-Farisi, who was a companion of the Prophet. The Mosque of Abu Bakir al-Siddiq is the third one. The other three museums were merged into one with the name the Mosque of Umar ibn al-Khattab, and there are many more.

6. Stop by Uthman Ibn Affan's Farm and Well: During the time of drought, one of the Prophet’s companions named Uthman Ibn Affan promised to buy and gift the well to the people of Medina in reply to the Prophet’s oath of paradise around 1400 years ago. You should definitely visit this farm to view the well that springs until today.

Witnessing the magical farm and well is one of the best things to do in Madinah. You will also find a mosque near the place and a large farm that houses palm trees and several other plants and flowers. You can see further development on this farm in the future.

7. Go to Bani Waqif Fort to recollect the past: Bani Waqif Fort is a historic Madinah landmark of the Muslim reign situated to the south of Quba Mosque. It rests where the Banu Aus tribe lived in the past. The tribe was believed to have given several suggestions to the Prophet Muhammad at the time of immigration.

If you love to recollect the moments of the past, visiting the Bani Waqif Fort is one of the best things to do in Medina. Located in the center of the farm, the Bani Waqif Fort was re-constructed during the Ottoman period. Though it is neglected by the authorities, some tourists still visit this place to drive into the memory lane in the past.

8. Catch a glimpse of the Well Of Salman Al Farsi: The Wall of Salman Al Farsi is one of the other famous attractions in Medina that narrates its true story. It is set in a garden that belonged to the Jewish lady. Salman AL Farsi used to work in the garden as a slave. The Prophet made a deal with the lady that she will set him free once he plants a certain number of palm trees for her.

The lady agreed, and the Prophet Muhammad planted several trees in the garden with each one of the plants prospering from their starting year. This amazing story attracts a myriad of guests to catch a glimpse of the well that was also prominently known as the ‘Wall of Poor’.

9. Enjoy the virtual tour of the Prophet Muhammad’s biography at Medina Museum: A virtual tour of the biography of the Prophet Muhammad is among the other best things to do in Medina. It is a historical display of the civilization, construction, and cultural heritage of Medina showcasing the distinctive aspects of ancient Islamic life. The museum also allows the visitors to gain complete knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad’s life through his biography, starting from his immigration to his death.

The virtual tour shows his journey with his wives through the different locations of the battle, his mosque, and much more. Therefore, the virtual tour at the Medina Museum will surely fill your heart with grief and happiness at the same time.

10. Pay your respects at Al-Baqi': Al-Baqi’ is another place of significance to the Muslims located in the entire world. It is a burial ground of many companions of Prophet Muhammad and the other people of Muslim legacy. The people of Medina considered this place to be an extended part of paradise that was visited by the Prophet every day during his life.

The dead bodies of the Prophet’s wives, his son, daughter, uncle, and many of his companions rest in peace in this Burial Ground. You can pay your respect to the struggle of Prophet Muhammad in this place. Women tourists are not allowed to enter the place, so only men should visit this place.

11. Discover the Hejaz Railway Museum: Discovering the Hejaz railway Museum is one of the other best things to do in Medina. This museum was set in the year 2006 to help the Muslim pilgrims to have an effortless journey to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina. It includes a long stretch of the historic track and a train shed consisting of four tracks.

You will find several engines and pieces of rolling stock displayed in the museum. A few of the remains have been transported from different places to the museum so that the visitors can gain an insight into it. It is astonishing to know that one engine is still mobile on the railway track after restoration.

12. Explore Medina with Hop-On Hop-Off Tourist Bus: You can explore the beautiful places in Medina on the stylish red double-decker buses that tour around the best attractions of the Saudi Arabian cities. If you love to learn more about the history and culture of this holy city, the bus tour is one of the best things to do in Medina.

You can take the Green Line to sightsee the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi with its immensely spectacular massive architecture and sparkling lights. The Hop-On Hop-Off Tourist Bus also allows the tourists to explore Al Madinah, Al Baqi Cemetery, Al-Noor Mall, Abu Bakr Road, Quba Mosque, and Masjid al-Qiblatain Mosque.

13. Visit the historical place of Mount Uhud: If you are a historical buff, you must include visiting Mount Ubud in the list of things to do in Madinah. The Battle of Uhud was fought at this place due to which it became highly significant to the Islamic people. You can find the graveyard of the martyrs’ dead bodies who lost their lives in the battle.

The Muslim people pay a visit to this place on their visit to Medina. You will find plenty of open space on the mountain to pray and connect with God. Therefore, it is one of the beautiful places in the Saudi Arabian city.

14. Explore Al Noor Mall: If you love shopping and want to collect artifacts to cherish in the memory lane, you can head straight to the Al Noor Mall. It should stand as a priority on your list of the best things to do in Madinah. The malls offer something for every interest group that includes restaurants, international retail, and Sparky’s Family Entertainment Area.

You can shop for a variety of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. It attracts a large number of tourists from across the globe. The architecture of the mall is a unique combination of Islamic and modern culture. You will surely love the visual delight that the shopping mall offers.

15. Pay a visit to the Madain Saleh Tombs: It will be a parody to visit Medina if you don’t visit the Madain Saleh Tombs. It is a region of great natural beauty with historic treasures. Here, you can see the sweeping landscapes of the Jibal al Rukkab and Ekma Gorge or explore the elegant ibex to escape the clutches of its desert predators at Al Tubaiq Nature Reserve.

Most commonly described as Saudi Arabia’s Petra, it is a bewildering place that puts the region’s history to life. The 131 tombs are visited by several tourists throughout the year. You will definitely immerse in the glories of the Madain Saleh Tombs.

16. Find the beautiful names in Allah Gallery: Among other exciting things to do in Madinah, visiting the beautiful names of Allah Gallery tops the list. Muslim people believed that Allah has 99 names, and this gallery is proof. Here, you will learn the meanings of different names of Allah and their respective examples.

The names in the Allah Gallery may sound familiar as you may have a friend or relative with that name. You can book a guided tour of the place to understand everything about the gallery. Therefore, it resembles an encyclopedia of names of the Islamic God, Allah.

Which are the best places to shop in Medina?

  1. Al-Noor Mall- Al-Noor Mall is one of the largest shopping areas in Medina. The mall features a combination of restaurants, international retail, and Sparky’s Family Entertainment area. It has everything for all age groups, including clothing and accessories. Shopping at Al-Noor Mall is one of the best things to do in Medina.
  2. Al Rashid Mega Mall- Al Rashid Mega Mall is a multi-level retail center with around 400 stores. The beauty of the mall stands out among others as it has an exceptional design with a fountain, artificial lake, and a vast ship as decoration. It gives a unique and luxurious atmosphere that houses a plethora of brand outlets.
  3. Alqarrat Mall- Alqarrat Mall is yet another shopping arena that gathers several pilgrims throughout the year. Here, you can shop for electronics, clothes, and home furnishings. The departmental stores in this mall offer heavy discounts and deals every year. Hence, shopping at this mall is one of the best things to do in Madinah for budget-friendly people.
  4. Al Saha Mall- Situated on Khalid Bin al Waleed Road in Medina is another pocket-friendly mall that sells inexpensive stuff to tourists. The mall is a two-story building with things for men, children, and footwear on the first floor, while family supplies and household appliances are on the other.

What is Medina famous for?

Medina is famous for its holy pilgrimage that attracts millions of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or Hajj. It is considered to be of great importance to the Islamic people around the world. The place is also well-known for its effortless combination of the ancient and the new. The architectural red building also creates a lasting impression on the tourists.

What is special in Medina?

Medina marks the spiritual center of Islamic culture. It is the place of establishment of the Muslim community by the Prophet Muhammad after his flight from Mecca. The place is renowned for its beautiful architectural museums that showcase the historical artifacts of the time. It also houses several malls to shop for souvenirs or collectibles to cherish down the memory lane.

How to reach Medina from Mecca?

  • By Train- You can board a direct train from the Hejaz Railway Station to reach Medina. The travel time via train is approximately two and a half hours.
  • By Bus- Bus services are also available from Mecca to Medina. You can take a bus from several bus stations in Mecca to reach another spiritual place of Medina.
  • By Drive- You can also drive a car to cover a distance of 453.8 kilometers to Medina. It will take you approximately 4.5 hours to reach there.

What is the best time to visit Medina?

The Winter season is the best time to visit Medina, i.e., between December and February. During this time, the weather remains favorable to enjoy all the things to do in Madinah. It is a suitable time when this desert city remains a little cooler than the rest of the year, and you can enjoy a hassle-free journey.

What is famous to buy in Medina?

  • Date palm
  • Ittar
  • Gold
  • Roghan e Balsam oil
  • Nabi Booti
  • Saudi souvenirs
  • Prayer rug
  • Maryam Booti
  • Local mint
  • Miswak sticks
  • Prayer beads

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