The best places to visit in Madinah during Umrah are Masjid an-Nabawi and the Rawdah, Jannat al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Mount Uhud with the Martyrs’ Cemetery, and the Seven Mosques. Most are free to enter, sit within about 6 km of each other, and are best visited early in the morning or after Asr prayer.

Madinah is the second holiest city in Islam, after Makkah. It is the city that welcomed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after his migration from Makkah, and it is where he is buried. For most pilgrims, Madinah is the calm part of the journey. You are not rushing through rituals here. You are visiting the places where the Prophet ﷺ and his companions lived, and making dua where they once stood.

Most of our Umrah Packages at Islamic Travel Agency include three to five nights in Madinah after Makkah, with guided ziyarat so you do not miss the key sites. Visiting these places is not part of the Umrah rituals, but it adds a lot of meaning to your trip. Below are the best places to visit in Madinah during Umrah, with simple tips to help you plan. Let’s begin.

1. Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque)

Masjid an-Nabawi is the heart of Madinah and the most important place to visit. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ built it himself after he moved to Madinah, and he is buried here, along with his companions Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA). The Green Dome above his resting place is the best-known sight in the city.

Praying here carries great reward. It is said that one prayer in this mosque is better than a thousand prayers anywhere else, except Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Spend time in the mosque, pray, and send salam to the Prophet ﷺ.

Good to know: Open day and night. Free to enter. The calmest times to pray are early morning and after Isha.

2. The Rawdah

The Rawdah (al-Rawdah ash-Sharifah) is the space between the Prophet’s ﷺ resting place and his old pulpit (minbar). The Prophet ﷺ called it “a garden from the gardens of Paradise,” so pilgrims come here to pray two rak’ah and make dua.

It gets very busy, so you now need to book a slot through the Nusuk app before you go. Without a booking, you will not be allowed in. Download the app before you leave the UK and book early.

Good to know: Inside Masjid an-Nabawi. Free, but you must book a time slot on the Nusuk app.

3. Jannat al-Baqi

Jannat al-Baqi is the old cemetery right next to Masjid an-Nabawi. It is one of the oldest Islamic graveyards, and many of the Prophet’s ﷺ family and companions are buried here, including Uthman ibn Affan (RA). A visit is a quiet, humbling reminder that we all return to Allah.

Good to know: Next to the Prophet’s Mosque. Free. Usually open from after Fajr until mid-morning, so go early. Access and timings can differ for men and women.

4. Quba Mosque (Masjid Quba)

Quba is the first mosque ever built in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ laid its foundation when he arrived in Madinah, and it is even mentioned in the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever makes wudu at home, comes to Quba, and prays two rak’ah there earns the reward of an Umrah. That is why so many pilgrims make the short trip to pray here.

Good to know: About 3.5 to 4 km south of Masjid an-Nabawi (a 10-minute taxi ride). Free. A good first stop on a morning ziyarat tour.

5. Masjid al-Qiblatayn (the Mosque of Two Qiblas)

This is where the direction of prayer (qibla) was changed from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah. The command came down while the companions were already praying, and they turned to face Makkah. The mosque once had two prayer niches (mihrabs); today only the one facing Makkah remains.

Good to know: About 4 to 5 km northwest of Masjid an-Nabawi. Free. You can see it in around 30 minutes.

Make time for ziyarat in your trip

Many pilgrims only pray in Masjid an-Nabawi and miss everything else, which is a shame. Try to keep one or two mornings free for ziyarat. If you are travelling in the holy month, our Ramadan Umrah Packages give you more time in Madinah, so you can pray at the Prophet’s Mosque and still visit the historic sites in peace. A guided tour also saves you from haggling with taxis in the heat.

6. Mount Uhud and the Martyrs’ Cemetery

Mount Uhud is the large mountain north of the city. It is the site of the famous Battle of Uhud. Near it is the Martyrs’ Cemetery, where the companions who died in the battle are buried, including the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle, Hamza (RA). Standing here, you can reflect on the sacrifice of the early Muslims.

Good to know: About 6.4 km north of Masjid an-Nabawi. Free. Go early in the morning before it gets hot.

7. The Seven Mosques (Sab’u Masajid)

This is a group of small historic mosques near the site of the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq). They are linked to the companions who defended Madinah, and include Masjid al-Fath and Masjid Salman al-Farsi. It is a short, interesting stop on a ziyarat tour.

Good to know: West of the city, near Sala’ Mountain. Free. Quick to visit.

A few more places worth seeing

Beyond the main sites, you can also visit:

• Masjid al-Ghamama — a historic mosque close to Masjid an-Nabawi, where the Prophet ﷺ is said to have prayed.
• Dar Al Madinah Museum — a small museum that tells the story of the city’s history (a small entry fee applies).
• The date markets — buy fresh Ajwa dates, a Madinah speciality, to take home.
• Local malls like Al Noor Mall — good for families, food, and a break from the heat.

Best time to visit these places

Madinah is cooler than Makkah but still gets hot, especially from May to September. Visit outdoor sites like Mount Uhud early in the morning, after Fajr, or later after Asr. Winter (November to February) is the most comfortable time overall. Most sites are free, and the city is compact, so a half-day or full-day ziyarat tour can cover the main places.

Sample 2-day ziyarat plan

Here is a simple plan to fit the main sites into a short Madinah stay:

• Day 1 – Morning: Quba Mosque, then Masjid al-Qiblatayn
• Day 1 – Evening: Prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi; book your Rawdah slot on the Nusuk app
• Day 2 – Early morning: Jannat al-Baqi (after Fajr), then Mount Uhud and the Martyrs’ Cemetery, then the Seven Mosques
• Day 2 – Afternoon: Dar Al Madinah Museum, dates and shopping; final prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi

Tips for UK pilgrims

• Download the Nusuk app before you fly — you need it to book the Rawdah.
• Use Careem or Uber to get around; they are easy and fairly priced. Many hotels also run cheap ziyarat buses.
• Stay near Masjid an-Nabawi so you can walk to prayers.
• Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, because you will walk a lot.
• Dress modestly and respectfully at all sites.
• Buy dates near the end of your trip so you are not carrying them around.

FAQs: places to visit in Madinah during Umrah

• Q: How many days should I spend in Madinah during Umrah?
  A: Most pilgrims stay three to four days. This gives you enough time to pray at Masjid an-Nabawi and visit the main ziyarat sites without rushing.
• Q: Is ziyarat part of the Umrah rituals?
  A: No. Visiting these sites is not a required part of Umrah. It is a voluntary visit to learn about Islamic history and reflect, and many pilgrims add it to their trip.
• Q: Do I need to book the Rawdah?
  A: Yes. You must book a time slot through the Nusuk app. Without a booking, you will not be allowed in.
• Q: Are the places to visit in Madinah free?
  A: Most sites, including the mosques and Mount Uhud, are free. Only a few museums charge a small fee, usually around 10 to 25 SAR.
• Q: How do I travel between the sites?
  A: The city is compact, with most sites within about 6 km. You can use Careem, Uber, a taxi, or a hotel ziyarat bus. A guided tour is the easiest option.
• Q: When is the best time to visit Madinah?
  A: Winter (November to February) is the most comfortable. Whatever the season, visit outdoor sites early in the morning or after Asr to avoid the heat.

Final words

Madinah is more than a stop on your Umrah journey. It is the Prophet’s ﷺ city, and a few days here can be the most peaceful part of your whole trip. Give yourself time to pray at Masjid an-Nabawi, visit the historic sites, and reflect. With Islamic Travel Agency, your hotels, transport and ziyarat are arranged for you, so you can focus on worship.

May your Umrah be accepted, and your visit to Madinah bring you peace.