Medina Travel Guide, Saudi Arabia

After Mecca, Medina is the holiest place for Islam. Believers often call it the “city of the Prophet”, because Medina is where Mohammed fled after being banished from Mecca. Muslims from all over Asia visit Medina every year to pray at the impressive mosque of the prophet, Masjid al-Nabawi. The mosque was built on the site of Mohammed’s home and it is also his final resting place, which explains its huge religious significance. Sadly, just like Mecca, the city is closed to non-Muslims, and there is very little to be seen in the city besides the religious monuments. Non-Muslims are allowed in some areas on the outskirts of the city, but they do not have access to any of the monuments or sights that make Medina interesting. However, if you are Muslim, Medina is a destination that you have to see at least once in your lifetime, both for its religious importance and its sheer beauty. This Medina Travel Guide offers some basic information about this fascinating city.

Medina Travel Guide – Transport

Most pilgrims fly to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and take one of the designated pilgrim buses to Mecca or Medina. Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, Medina’s airport has recently introduced several direct connections to cities around the Middle East, such as Karachi, Lahore, Mumbai and also some domestic destinations, such as Riyadh, Arabia’s capital. For those who prefer travelling by bus, the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company offers direct services to Medina from several Arabian cities. Buses are usually extremely comfortable and quite cheap, but non-Muslims are not allowed into the bus terminal. Once you’ve arrived in Medina, the only two possibilities to get around the city are taxis and walking. The city itself is doesn’t offer much except the well-known pilgrimage laces, but you can also take a walk around the city and buy souvenirs such as rugs or delicious Medina dates.

Medina Travel Guide – Accommodation

Seeing as Medina is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year, there are numerous hotels in the city. The most expensive and luxurious hotels are usually located in the close vicinity of the mosque. Dar Al Hijra Intercontinental and Al Andalous Suites are two of the finest five-star hotels in Medina. The hotels not only offer all the expected facilities, but they also include extensive shopping areas and on-site dining facilities. There are many budget accommodation options as well, but the less-expensive hotels are located farther away from the mosque. In fact, you can assess a hotel’s degree of comfort and price according to the distance from the main mosque. Non-Muslims have few available accommodation choices, and most of these hotels are not exactly the height of luxury. LeMeridien is a quite decent hotel open to non-Muslims, used mostly by airline workers.