Medina

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Medina (Arabic: المدينة Madinah) is a city in Saudi Arabia, to the north of Mecca.

Medina Explorer

Medina is the second holy city of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Medina from Mecca, and taught there for some years before his triumphant return to Mecca. The city is commonly visited as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Travel to Medina

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Medina

For pilgrims and the most common route is to arrive in Jeddah by plane, and get on a special pilgrims' bus to Mecca and Medina, and come back to fly home in a couple of weeks.

• Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport IATA Flight Code: MED - This airport fields an increasing number of direct connecting Flights from around the Middle East, and the airport is accessible to non-Muslims. Keep in mind that this is a very small airport, and not really designed to cope with the large numbers now passing through it. So expect a crush at the baggage carousels.

Travel on a Bus in Medina

The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) runs luxurious buses several times daily to and from most parts of the nation at affordable rates. There are also privately run buses.

Rail Services in Medina

A new high-speed railway linking Medina with Jeddah and Mecca opened in September 2018 with 8 services a day. The Medina train station - GPS 24.473076,39.699842 is east of the centre, along King Abdul Aziz Rd.

How to get around in Medina

There is no public transport other than taxis. If you are on the side of the road, you might find local residents willing to pick you up and take you to your destination for a fee, even though they aren't officially taxis, but beware of con artists from among both official and unofficial taxi drivers (see "Stay safe" below).

Must see

Mecca Downtown

• Al-Masjid an-Nabawi - The Prophet's Mosque | Since it is visited only by Muslims, for religious purposes and the main thing to see is the Masjid Nabawi or the Prophet's Mosque where all Muslims visitors offer prayers. Men are allowed to visit the actual burial site of the Prophet and pay respects throughout the opening hours of the mosque, which used to close for the night at around 10PM but has since become open 24 hours a day. Muslimas may visit only after the Fajr or dawn and Duhr or afternoon prayers, when they are taken there in groups according to their countries.

• Jannatul Baqi - In fact most of the things to be done or seen are around this grand mosque which is at the downtown. Adjacent to the mosque is Jannatul Baqi, a huge graveyard, where most family members and companions of the Prophet are buried.

• Al Madina Museum in Al Hejaz Railway Station - One of few non-religious sites in Medina, this museum is housed in the former terminus station of the Hejaz railway and showcases the history of Medina from prehistoric to modern time.

Further afield

• Mount Uhud Other things to be seen, a little away from the city, are the plains and mountain of Uhud where the battle took place. There is also the burial ground of the 70 martyrs of this battle including the Prophet's uncle Hamza who is considered one of the greatest martyrs of all time.

• Masjids - Mosques | Nearby there are several notable masjids (masjids) that can be visited.
• Masjid al-Qiblatain - Further away is Masjid al-Qiblatain 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.
• Masjid Jumua Masjid Jumua where the Prophet prayed the first Jumua or Friday prayers.
• Masjid Al Ghamamah Masjid Gamama where once the Prophet had prayed for rain.
• Masjid Quba - Masjid Quba at Quba, which is the first mosque of Islam.

Another place must visit is the battleground of Khandaq or the Trench.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Medina

Visit the grand mosque, Masjid Al-Nabawi. The Prophet Muhammad's burial site lies inside the mosque.

Shopping in Medina

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi 02 - Prayer rugs for sale outside the mosque

The streets leading to and around the Prophet's Mosque are lined with shops selling goods of every variety. Visitors to Medina usually buy prayer rugs (some with magnets pointing towards the Kaaba), caps, Tasveeh or rosary beads, Abayas, pictures of the holy city and masjids, 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. as souvenirs to take back with them or as gifts for family and friends. The best of them to take back are Dates from Medina.

There are also huge glittering shopping complexes and malls selling goods from all over the world.

Credit cards are largely unaccepted, and few banks will exchange travelers' checks.

Halal Restaurants in Medina

There are restaurants selling almost all types of food from all over the world. There are Indian, (Pakistani) and Bangladeshi restaurants in abundance. There is also Chinese, (Indonesian), (Turkish), Egyptian, and local food.

The well-known Western fast-food chains such as McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), Pizzas Hut, Don Giovanni's and KFC all have outlets, as do Saudi chains such as Al Baik, Kudu and Hardeez. The cheapest local specialities are shawarma, taamiyya (a type of vegetable sandwich), foul (cooked beans) with tameez (bread), roasted whole chickens called Broasts. There are always dates.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Medina

Medina - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Medina, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Medina. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Medina and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Medina. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Medina. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMedina: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Medina.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Medina: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Medina, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Medina.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Medina, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Medina, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Medina and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Medina, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Medina, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Medina without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Medina is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Medina.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Medina is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Medina, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Medina Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Medina

Date palm with fruits - A fruiting date palm in Medina

Medina has many halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 hotels, most of which are very close to the mosque. Numerous halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 5 star hotels have been and are being constructed all around the Prophet's mosque within a radius of 500 meters. Beyond these are halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 many hotels extending miles from the Masjid Nabavi. The rates depends on a hotel's distance from the mosque and the nearer the more expensive. Even halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 budget hotels have facilities like proper beds with clean linen, carpeted floors, air conditioning, refrigerator in every room, 24 hours running hot and cold water. Kitchens with LPG and burners and sinks are also available, for those who would like to cook their own meals. Many of these small old hotels are being demolished on a large scale to make way for luxury hotels.

City center

• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Al-Majeedi ARAC Suites - It offers spacious and air-conditioned serviced apartments, all of which has a telephone, cable TV, and private toilet and shower with bathtub. Some of its amenities are currency exchange, dry cleaning/laundry, and safe deposit boxes. While staying here you can visit some tourist spots like Masjid Al Nabawi, Qiblatayn Mosque, and Masjid Musallah.

• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Taiba ARAC Suites - It offers air-conditioned suites aptly boasting a private toilet with shower and bathtub, cable TV, and phone. Some of its amenities are currency exchange, dry cleaning/laundry, and safe deposit boxes. While staying here you can visit Masjid Al Nabawi Al Sharief, Masjid al-Qiblatain, and Baqi ‘Al-Gharqad.

• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Hotel Pullman Zamzam Madina]
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Madinah Hilton]
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 The Oberoi, Madina]
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Al Andalous Suites]
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Madina Al Rawda Suites]
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Dar Al Hijra Intercontinental
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Anwar Al Madinah Hotel
• halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Al Muna Kareem Hotel

Explore more Destinations from Medina

Mecca is the other holy city visited by Muslims taking part in the Umrah (minor pilgrimage) or the Hajj. You can hire a taxi to take you to Mecca, which will cost about 500 SAR for up to four passengers. A much cheaper way to get there is to use the SAPTCO (Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company) bus services instead. There are two versions: regular and VIP. The regular service is reasonably comfortable and will cost 55 SAR per person. The VIP version (which you can catch from the halal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&12309&currency=usd&Medina&&.Zzb1854945019e4b6da06 b3db-206204 Crowne Plaza hotel) is slightly more luxurious and will cost 100 SAR per person.

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