Opened for tourism in 2023, visiting Medina as a Non-Muslim is a completely new experience. Let me tell you all you need to know and what the best things to do are.
Welcome to Medina, a city steeped in history and spirituality, and the second holiest place in Islam after Mecca. You can call this one of the latest destinations for travelers, as the city of Medina opened for non-Muslim travelers last year. Before that, only pilgrims were allowed to visit Medina and this part of Saudi Arabia.
I traveled to Medina curious to learn about the atmosphere of the city and interested in knowing more about Islamic culture. Even though my stay was short, I created a guide to help you navigate the treasures of Medina and experience its unique charm.
Getting in and around Medina
Getting into Medina and moving around Medina is extremely easy. Since this is one of the most important cities for pilgrims, a good transport infrastructure has always been key to keeping things running smoothly.
Travelers coming from Jeddah have the option to take the Haramain high-speed train, which connects the two cities in just two hours (cost around 25 EUR). For those coming from Riyadh, they can either take a quick one-hour flight (there are multiple flights per day) or arrive by bus (over 12 hours – bookable online).
Travelers visiting from other areas can also arrive with the Northwest Bus (especially those from AlUla – with 2 arrivals per day) or in my opinion the easiest choice: Rent your own car. In Saudi Arabia, it is not so expensive to rent a car in one location and leave it in another.
I compare prices at Discover Cars as well as in Rental Cars.
You can also check out my full guide on how to travel around Saudi Arabia. It is currently the most complete guide on this topic, and everything should be clear and easy to follow.
Once you are in Medina, UBER or Careem are the most convenient options. There are also some street taxis, but if you hate discussing price, stick to ride-hailing apps.
Additionally, Medina has one of the best bus infrastructures in Saudi Arabia. Buses connecting the airport to the train station and to Medina’s main attractions are available all day long, and you can either purchase tickets online via app or at the bus station.
And finally, between the Quba Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque (around 3km), golf cars offer transfers. Just make sure to negotiate the price beforehand.
Read more: How to get around Saudi Arabia
Be connected at all times in Saudi Arabia.
I got a e-SIM with Airalo and bought a plan of 10 GB for my whole stay in the country.
Use the promo codes NEWTOAIRALO15 and AIRALOESIM10 to get 15 and 10% discount.
During my stay in Medina, I opted for small private room I chose on Booking.com. Since Medina is one of the most visited cities in the Muslim world, accomodation is plenty and is not very expensive. Since being close to the main Mosque was not very important for me, I selected a small private room at Al Ayniah Hotel. I found it on Booking.com for only 30 EUR.
Agoda.com also offers sometimes very good discounts and lower prices than Booking.com
Visiting Medina as a Non-Muslim
Although Medina opened for tourism, travelers can’t enter all places inside the city. The main mosque in the city, The Prophet’s Mosque, is still off-limits for travelers, and you can see a guard at every door.
No, there are no control checks at the entrance, and there is not a document certifying you are a Muslim. However, inside the Mosque, every single person is praying, and if you go inside and have no idea what to do, it will be a little bit off, and you will cause some suspicion (especially during praying times).
NOTE: Even though I couldn’t officially confirm it, I heard that officials could check your visa and read if you are coming to Saudi Arabia for religious or tourism reasons.
But don’t worry, outside the perimeter of the mosque, you can still get a good view of this incredible building and experience from a distance the unique atmosphere Medina has.
Even though I couldn’t find information if travelers can enter the Quba Mosque, and most locals simply had no idea about it, officers next to the doors are vigilant, and if they see someone who obviously doesn’t look like a Muslim and wears a very western outfit, I can imagine a quick questioning to find out.
Still, everyone in Medina was super friendly and extremely helpful with everything I needed.
A good option for travelers wanting to learn more about the mosque and understand its importance is to do a Medinah Historical Tour from Get Your Guide. Tours start at 30 EUR per person and they can offer an excellent insight, that you simply won’t get if you are not with a guide.
In Medina you will also see lots of tour guides with smaller groups – especially from Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. However, these are religious tours and they come to Medina with the main goal of praying.
NOTE: If you don’t know where you are allowed to enter, don’t ask locals; most of them don’t know what is allowed and what is not. Police officers are a good option, but 90% of them can’t speak English.
Read more: Top adventure activities to do in AlUla
Is there a dress code for Medina?
As you can probably imagine, Medina is probably one of the most conservative cities in the world. At the same time, due to the fact that Medina receives Muslims from all over the world, expect to see people from all nationalities.
There is not a specific code when entering Medina – as a man. I saw people walking in shorts, jeans, and t-shirts, as well as pilgrims wearing traditional Indonesian, Indian, or Burmese attire. However, if you want to blend more into the city, getting a traditional Saudi outfit is your best bet. You can get one in Medina’s city center for only 10 EUR, and with it, you will make sure not to catch too much attention.
I wore my traditional Saudi outfit during my whole stay in Medina, and I was treated always as another local.
For women, I guess wearing an abaya is a must. I saw many women not covering their hair, but I guess this could also be an option to blend better with the rest of the people. One thing is for sure: no tops or short skirts.
Read more: Best things to do in AlUla
Best things to do in Medina
Medina is a great destination for a day trip or a two-day trip. Not being allowed to enter the Prophet’s mosque didn’t affect my experience at all, and there is still a lot to visit around the city.
The easiest (and laziest) choice would be to do a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Medina. Prices for the whole day are 20 EUR, and you will be able to visit Medina’s key attractions in less than 24 hours.
These Hop-On-Hop-Off Buses stop at Medina’s key attractions and they are probably a good way to spend a very hot afternoon.
If you are more in the mood for a long walk, you can cover most of Medina’s key attractions by foot or on a private tour.
These are some of the best tours you can do in Medina:
If you are not in the mood of having a full day pre-arranged tour, these are the best spots you can visit in Medina:
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque):
The centerpiece of Medina, this majestic mosque is a place of reverence and devotion for Muslims worldwide. Visitors can marvel at its stunning architecture, explore its expansive courtyards, and pay their respects at the Prophet’s tomb. Come by around the evening praying time (18:30) and experience one of the most magnificent religious events in the world.
Find a private guide for The Prophet’s Mosque with Get your Guide
Read more: Best places to visit in the Old Town in Jeddah
Quba Mosque:
Considered the first mosque in Islam, Quba Mosque holds special significance for believers and is a must-visit site for pilgrims and travelers alike.
Jannat al-Baqi:
This historic cemetery is the final resting place of many companions of the Prophet Muhammad and his family members.
Quba Road:
Perfect for those walking from the Prophet’s Mosque to the Quba Mosque, this pedestrian street has several shops, restaurants, and cafes. Saudi Arabia has a growing coffee culture, and some cafes offer excellent options – my recommendation: Visit Café Bogota.
NOTE: Medina is empty during the hot hours of the day. Plan your day to avoid being outdoors before 5 PM. I know it sounds weird, but everything is empty before 5. On the good side, expect to see people and families outside until 2 or 3 AM.
Quba Castle:
Located next to the Quba Road, the castle is still under renovation. However, the structure looks beautiful from the distance and is a nice quick stop along the way.
Read more: How to get around Saudi Arabia
Historic Oasis Farm:
Located next to the Quba Mosque, this palm forest is a good getaway for those who want to see something different and want to have a refreshing stop under the trees.
Explore the Bazaar Areas of Medina:
Surrounding the Prophet Mosque and with some alleys around the Quba Road, going to a Bazaar and window shop is a great alternative to start your evening. This is the place to find a traditional Saudi outfit for a bargain or a mistyped t-shirt to bring home.
Mount Uhud:
A short distance from the city center, Mount Uhud offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and serves as a reminder of the Battle of Uhud, a significant event in Islamic history.
Read more: How to plan a road trip to Oman
Would I come here again?
As a Non-Muslim, not really. Medina is one of those places that have very cultural importance for many people, and as a non-Muslim, I felt in part a bit of an intruder into their world.
I felt very comfortable at all times, and there are enough activities and places to keep you busy for a few days. However, since I’m not religiously connected to this city as 99% of the people visiting this city, I would prefer to just spend a few days there to get a glimpse of Medina and move on.
More things are also happening in the next years. A few Museums about Islam will be open, and I can get the feeling that Saudi Arabia is becoming less and less conservative. Still, there is a long road ahead for that to happen.
