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Madinah Ziyarat: Sacred Sites to Visit During Your Umrah
Beyond the rituals of Umrah, Madinah holds some of the most significant sites in Islamic history — the mosque built by the Prophet ﷺ himself, the resting place of his closest companions, and the ground where the early Muslim community was formed. Ziyarat isn’t a required part of Umrah, but most pilgrims choose to visit these sites for the reflection and connection they offer. This guide covers the sites included in our guided Madinah Ziyarat tours, what to expect at each, and how to plan your visit.
Plan Your Umrah
Sacred Sites in Madinah
Madinah has more than 30 recognized Ziyarat sites, but most guided tours focus on a core group that together tell the story of the Prophet’s ﷺ life and the early Muslim community. Here are the five sites included in our Madinah Ziyarat tours.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
The Prophet’s Mosque is the second-holiest site in Islam and the spiritual center of Madinah. Built by the Prophet ﷺ himself after the Hijrah, it now houses his tomb beneath the famous green dome, along with the graves of his companions Abu Bakr and Umar (RA). Pilgrims pray here throughout their stay, and many aim to visit Riyadh ul-Jannah — the Rawdah — a small area between the Prophet’s tomb and his pulpit that is described in hadith as “a garden from the gardens of Paradise.”
Entry to the Rawdah is free but requires advance booking through the Nusuk app, and time slots fill quickly, especially in the days surrounding Ramadan. We recommend booking your Rawdah visit as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
Jannat al-Baqi
Adjacent to Masjid an-Nabawi, Jannat al-Baqi is the most sacred cemetery in Islam and the resting place of many of the Prophet’s ﷺ family members and companions, including Uthman ibn Affan (RA). The Prophet regularly visited Baqi to make du’a for those buried there, and pilgrims continue that practice today — visiting to reflect, pray, and remember the temporary nature of this life.
Baqi is a place of quiet reflection rather than a sightseeing stop: photography and loud conversation are discouraged, and women are able to view the cemetery from outside the gates rather than enter.
Masjid Quba
Located about 3.5 to 4 kilometers south of Masjid an-Nabawi, Masjid Quba holds the honour of being the first mosque built in Islam, with its foundation laid by the Prophet ﷺ upon his arrival in Madinah. It’s mentioned in the Qur’an as a mosque “founded on righteousness,” and the Prophet taught that praying two rak’ah here, after performing wudu at home, carries the reward of a complete Umrah.
Because of the distance, Quba is reached by private vehicle rather than on foot — this transfer is included as part of your guided Ziyarat tour.
Masjid Qiblatain
The Mosque of the Two Qiblahs marks the spot where the Prophet ﷺ received the revelation to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka’bah in Makkah, mid-prayer. It’s one of the few mosques in Islamic history to have prayed toward two different qiblahs within a single mosque, and pilgrims visit to reflect on this turning point in early Islamic history.
Mount Uhud
About 6 kilometers north of Masjid an-Nabawi, Mount Uhud is the site of the Battle of Uhud, one of the most significant battles in early Islamic history, where 70 companions were martyred, including the Prophet’s uncle Hamza (RA). Pilgrims visit the martyrs’ graves at the base of the mountain to pay respects and reflect on their sacrifice — it’s typically the furthest stop on a full Madinah Ziyarat tour.
Planning Your Ziyarat Tour
Plan your Madinah Ziyarat around your prayers, Rawdah booking and hotel schedule so your visit remains comfortable and unhurried.
Is Ziyarat required for Umrah?
No. Ziyarat is a voluntary practice, not one of the core Umrah rituals — those are Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq or Taqsir. Most pilgrims choose to add Ziyarat to their trip for the historical and spiritual connection it offers, and it’s included as a guided tour in all of our package tiers.
How long does a Madinah Ziyarat tour take?
A tour covering our core five sites typically takes 4 to 5 hours, including travel time between locations. We schedule it around your prayer times and hotel check-in/check-out so it fits naturally into your itinerary rather than competing with it.
Do I need a guide, or can I visit on my own?
Most of our packages include a guided Ziyarat tour with private transport, so you don’t need to arrange a taxi or navigate between sites yourself. Your driver and guide handle the route, timing, and any site-specific guidance along the way.
Explore More of Your Umrah Journey
Continue planning your pilgrimage with our companion Makkah guide and Madinah accommodation resources.
THE HOLIEST CITY
Makkah Al-Mukarramah — Your Complete Umrah Guide
Explore the sacred sites of Makkah and plan your Ziyarat, accommodation and wider Umrah journey with our complete Makkah guide
HOTELS
Hotels In Madinah
Explore accommodation options near Masjid an-Nabawi and choose a hotel that fits your Madinah stay and Ziyarat itinerary.
Planning Your Stay in Madinah
Your Madinah Ziyarat tour is arranged around your hotel stay, not the other way around — we schedule your guided tour on a day that doesn’t clash with prayer times or your Makkah-to-Madinah travel day, so you’re not rushed on either end. If you’re staying near Masjid an-Nabawi, most of your daily prayers are a short walk away, and only Quba, Qiblatain, and Uhud require transport, which is included as part of your tour.
Ask your package coordinator to schedule your Rawdah visit alongside your Ziyarat tour so both are confirmed before you travel.
Guided Tour Included
Private Transport to All Outer Sites
Scheduled Around Prayer Times
Accessible Options for Non-Climbers
Popular Packages
Choose your Umrah package and let our team coordinate your Madinah Ziyarat around your accommodation, prayer schedule and Rawdah plans.
3 Star Umrah Packages
Comfortable, budget-conscious hotels with guided Ziyarat included in every tier.
Ramadan Umrah Packages
Extended Madinah stays timed around Ramadan, with Ziyarat scheduled around Taraweeh and Rawdah booking windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 3.5 to 4 kilometers — close enough for a short private transfer, which is included in your guided Ziyarat tour.
Yes, a guided Madinah Ziyarat tour with private transport is included in our 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star packages.
Yes — let your package coordinator know when booking, and these can be added to your Ziyarat tour.