Stand at the edge of the Prophet's Mosque at dawn and you will see the courtyards fill in waves, row upon row, as the call to prayer carries across the marble. Later in the day the same space empties into quiet, and you can walk its perimeter in near silence.
Madinah suits travellers drawn to religious history and to the living practice of it. Practising Muslims come for Ziyarat, the visit to the Prophet's burial site; others come to understand one of the world's largest religions through its second-holiest city. Almost everything worth your time here is a mosque, a graveyard or a museum about the life of the Prophet, so plan your days around prayer times rather than around opening hours.
1. The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is the second most important pilgrimage site in Islam and the burial site of the Prophet Muhammad, who built the mosque in 622 CE. Whether you are a practising Muslim or simply curious about Islam, it is the natural starting point for understanding the city.
Men may visit the burial site throughout the mosque's opening hours, which are now 24/7. Women may visit only after the Fajr or dawn and Duhr or afternoon prayers, when they are taken there in groups according to their countries. Non-Muslims may enter the mosque compound and may be able to enter the mosque with a guard's permission, but the burial site inside is off-limits to non-Muslims.
2. Al-Baqi'
Al-Baqi' is a huge graveyard adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque, where most family members and companions of the Prophet are buried. It is only open for a few hours each day, so check before you go.
The entrance is on the western side of the graveyard, and non-Muslims can enter because it is not part of the fenced Prophet's Mosque complex. You walk along a linear path that winds through the graveyard, with guards stationed at various points. The graves are largely unmarked, and taking photographs or lingering along the path is discouraged by the guards.
3. Mount Uhud
Mount Uhud and its surrounding plains lie a little away from the city and are the site of the Battle of Uhud. The burial ground of the 70 martyrs of the battle is here, including the Prophet's uncle Hamza.
Because it sits outside the centre, treat it as a half-day trip rather than a stop you squeeze between prayers.
4. Masjid Quba
Masjid Quba, on Al Hijrah Rd in Al Khatim, is either the oldest mosque in the world or the second-oldest, dating from the time of the Prophet Muhammad. New construction was added in 1984.
It is one of the three prominent mosques the city is known for, alongside the Prophet's Mosque and Masjid al-Qiblatayn, so it pairs naturally with a day of mosque visits.
5. Masjid al-Qiblatayn
Masjid al-Qiblatayn is where the Quran recounts that the Prophet was ordered by Allah to turn his face from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah while offering prayers. It sits further away from the centre than the other historic mosques.
Like almost all the historic mosques scattered around the city, it is a working mosque, so visits may be limited around prayer times.
6. The International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization
Directly adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque, this museum uses models, holograms and video to present a minutely detailed view of the Prophet's daily life and character. It is the most convenient non-religious stop if you are already spending the day at the mosque.
Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday 08:00–22:30, Friday 13:00–22:30 and Saturday 16:30–23:30.
7. Al-Madinah Museum
Al-Madinah Museum occupies the former terminus station of the Hejaz railway on Omar Ibn Alkhtab Rd. It is one of the few non-religious sites in the city and showcases the history of Medina from prehistoric to modern times.
Combine it with a walk around the old station building itself, which is part of what makes the visit distinctive.
8. Dar Al Madinah Museum
Dar Al Madinah Museum is a smaller, private museum next to the high-speed railway station, and it hosts a number of models of old Medina. It is a useful stop if you are arriving or leaving by train.
9. Masjid Jumua
Masjid Jumua is where the Prophet prayed the first Jumua, or Friday prayers. It is one of the historic mosques scattered around the city.
As a working mosque, visits may be limited, so plan around prayer times rather than turning up at random.
10. Masjid Al Ghamamah
Masjid Al Ghamamah is where the Prophet once prayed for rain. It is another of the city's historic working mosques.
Because these smaller mosques are spread across the city, group two or three of them into a single outing rather than making separate trips.
11. Castle of Urwah bin Zubair
The Castle of Urwah bin Zubair is listed among the city's sites and landmarks. It is a quieter stop than the mosques and museums, and worth adding if you have time beyond the main religious sites.
12. The battleground of Khandaq
The battleground of Khandaq, also known as the Trench, is another place worth visiting. Masjid al-Fath, also known as Masjid al-Khandaq, is associated with it, as are the Seven Mosques.
It sits further afield, so treat it as a separate outing from the central sites.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Prophet's Mosque, which is open around the clock. If you are a woman hoping to visit the burial site, the Fajr or dawn prayer window is one of the two times you can go. Follow it with Al-Baqi' next door, remembering that it is only open for a few hours each day and that the entrance is on the western side.
Afternoon. Walk the short distance to the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, directly adjacent to the mosque, to see its models, holograms and video on the Prophet's daily life and character. If you still have energy, continue to Al-Madinah Museum in the former Hejaz railway terminus station on Omar Ibn Alkhtab Rd.
Evening. Return to the Prophet's Mosque for the evening, when the courtyards are at their busiest and the burial site is open to men throughout the mosque's hours. If you are a woman, the Duhr or afternoon prayer window is your other opportunity to visit the burial site, so arrange your day around whichever of the two windows suits you.
Can non-Muslims visit the Prophet's Mosque?
Non-Muslims may enter the mosque compound and may be able to enter the mosque with a guard's permission. The Prophet Muhammad's burial site inside the mosque is off-limits to non-Muslims.
When can women visit the burial site?
Women may visit only after the Fajr or dawn and Duhr or afternoon prayers, when they are taken there in groups according to their countries.
Can non-Muslims enter Al-Baqi'?
Yes. Al-Baqi' is not part of the fenced Prophet's Mosque complex, and non-Muslims can enter. Be aware that the graves are largely unmarked and that taking photographs or lingering along the path is discouraged by the guards.
Are the historic mosques open to visitors at any time?
Almost all of them are working mosques, meaning that visits might be limited. Plan around prayer times rather than assuming you can walk in whenever you like.
Decide which prayer windows suit you, set those as the fixed points of your trip, and build the rest of your days around them.