Medina is one of the oldest and holiest cities in the Arab world. There are a lot of things to do and see in Medina but it is not worth it to visit the whole city in just 5 days. But this topic covers every aspect for those coming to this holy land from abroad. Most of the visiting foreigners are pilgrims rather than tourists. Ask your respective agent while getting offers for Umrah packages about what you can do during your 5-day visit to Medina.
According to the survey report of various travel agencies, most people choose a 10 or 14 days Umrah package for Umrah. Therefore, this topic is the right topic for those who have a gap of 5 days before leaving Saudi Arabia.
List of things to do during a 5-day trip to Medina
- 1st Day: Al Masjid an-Nabawi
- 2nd Day: Qiblatain Mosque, Quba Mosque, and 7 Mosques
- 3rd Day: Uhud Mountain
- 4th Day: Experience the Dates market and Medina souks
- 5th Day: Visit the Hejaz Railway and Dar al Medina Museums
1st Day: Al Masjid an-Nabawi
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, holds great significance for Muslims and attracts visitors from around the world. While in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, here are some key activities and places to visit:
It is the second-largest mosque in the world after Masjid al-Haram due to its respect and size. Being the holiest place for Muslims, it also attracts non-Muslim tourists. Islam has never banned non-Muslims from entering the mosque, during the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), unbelievers used to come to the Prophet’s Mosque. But today they are prohibited from entering some areas of the mosque such as the main prayer halls and the inner spaces of the mosque.
Non-Muslims should consider all aspects while spending time in the mosque that does not violate the sanctity of the mosque. This holy tourist destination offers non-believers to know the heritage of the Muslim community.
Being a Muslim you should visit these sites while Al Masjid an-Nabawi whether you have a guide or not.
Things to do during Al Masjid an-Nabawi:
Visit the Rawdah – Muslims believe that praying in this area of the mosque is equivalent to praying in heaven.
Visit the grave of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – Two more Companions (Abu Bakr and Umar Farooq) are buried here with the last Prophet of Allah. Seeing this place with naked eyes is indescribable for Muslims.
Explore the magnificent architecture of Al Nabawi an-Mosque – At the time of the Prophet (PBUH), this mosque had only 3 gates: Bab al-Nisa, Bab Gabriel and Bab al-Rahma. But over time, these 3 gates were increased to 42 gates.
Al Baqi Cemetery – This graveyard is at a distance of 2-2.4 km next to Masjid Nabawi. But if one uses gate number 29. So he can cover this distance with a short walk. About 10,000 Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are buried here, including the closest friends and family members of the Prophet.
At least one day out of five is required for this mosque and the great graveyard. Try to perform all prayers in one day to get maximum reward.
2nd Day: Qiblatain Mosque, Quba Mosque, and 7 Mosques
We recommend that you visit these 3 mosques on the second day of your Medina tour:
Qiblatain Mosque – The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) announced the change of the direction of the Qibla from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in this mosque.
Start your second day with Fajr prayer at Masjid Nabawi and proceed to Masjid Qiblatin. The distance between both mosques is only a 13-minute drive via Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed Road/Route 15. The total distance between Masjid-ul-Nabawi and Qiblatin Masjid is 7.6 km.
Masjid Quba – Muhammad (peace be upon him) built it with his own hands and it is the first mosque in the world. It is located in the Hejaz region of Medina. Here, performing two Nafls is equal to Umrah in terms of reward.
We do not advise you to go from Masjid Nabawi to Quba Masjid because the distance between them is long. There is a choice of 7 best mosques to reach Quba Masjid. You can reach Quba 7.5 km in just a 12-minute drive via Prince Abdul Majeed Rd / Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz.
7 Mosques – There is a complex of 7 Mosques where the Battle of the Trench was fought between Muslims and non-Muslims.
7 mosque names:
- Al Fath Mosque
- Salman Al Farsi Mosque
- Abu Bakr As Siddiq Mosque
- Umar bin Khattab Mosque
- Saad bin Muadh Mosque
- Ali bin Abu Talib Mosque
- Fatimah Az-Zahra Mosque
The distance between the 7 mosques and the Qiblatain mosques is an 8-minute drive via Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed Road and Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed Road/Route 15. If you calculate the distance in km, it is 4.1 km.
You should start your second journey:
- From Al Nabawi mosque to Qiblatain
- From Qiblatain to 7 Mosques
- From 7 Mosques to Quba Mosque
So in this way, you can save your time of day and reach these sites comfortably.
3rd Day: Uhud Mountain
Save your energy for a tour of Mount Uhud as it is a very important mountain in Islamic history.
Let’s know about Mount Uhud:
The second battle between the infidels and the Muslims would be fought at the place of Uhud. In this battle, the Prophet (PBUH) lost 85 of his companions, including his uncle Hamza. There are many caves in Uhud Mountain. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took refuge in one of these caves, Uhud, when he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was seriously injured by the polytheists.
If we talk about its height of 3533 feet (1.08 km), it is a challenge for those who are not hikers and climbers. Muslims today should ask their agents to add this site to the Ziarats list when booking their Umrah packages 2023.
Here they can feel the time of the Battle of Uhud when a small army of Muslims stood up to a large army to protect Islam. Various hotels, a mosque and a museum offer visitors the opportunity to offer prayers, learn about the Battle of Uhud and enjoy delicious food.
Muslims visiting here visit the Martyrs’ Cemetery where war martyrs are buried. To explore this site, visitors will need at least 12 hours.
4th Day: Experience the Dates market and Medina souks
- Explore the Old City
- Shop in Medina souks
- Experience the Dates market
We suggest the 4th day to explore the old city via shopping in Medina souks and visiting the Dates market.
Medina is famous in the Arabian Peninsula for its delicious dates, and a visit to the dates market attracts tourists to Medina. Here you can find a wide variety of dates available. Dedicate the fourth day of your stay to sampling different dates and discovering your favourite. You can present your favourite dates as a gift to your family and friends on your return.
Shopping in the souks of Medina will be a memorable experience and give you a glimpse of the vibrant local culture and traditions. As you wander through the narrow streets of the souks you will see an abundance of shops selling a variety of products. Medina’s souks offer everything from traditional handicrafts and textiles to perfumes, spices, jewellery and household items.
Remember to set aside your 4th day for your shopping spree in the souks, as there is so much to explore and discover.
5th Day: Visit the Hejaz Railway and Dar al Medina Museums
We suggest here visit these two museums on the 5th day: Hejaz Railway Museum and Dar al Medina Museum. Wherever you go to these Museums, you will be aware of the history, culture, and heritage of the region
The Hejaz Railway Museum is dedicated to the historical Hejaz Railway, where various railway engines, vehicles, and specimens are exhibited. Remember that in the early 20th century, Hejaz Railway played an important role in transportation.
On the other hand, the Dar Al Medina Museum provides visitors with a glimpse into the history and heritage of Medina. The museum showcases archaeological artefacts, historical artefacts, and various exhibits depicting the life and times of the city in different eras.
Both museums support your quest to learn about the history and culture of Medina.
As we know it is not enough to visit the entire Medina in 5 days. Therefore, we hope that the information we have provided will help you to visit Medina. Saudi Arabia’s dress code is particularly strict when it comes to activities in public places. Therefore, we must follow and respect all the customs and traditions of Saudi Arabia to make the 5-day Medina trip experience a success.
