Hotels in Medina

Staying in Medina

For most Moroccan travellers, Medina is the second stop of an Umrah or Hajj journey, calmer and flatter than Makkah. Everything revolves around the Prophet's Mosque: the central hotels form a ring around the esplanade, and from there you reach the gates on foot for every prayer, including those at night and at dawn. The further out you go, the newer and more spacious the properties become, but a shuttle or a taxi becomes necessary. Which zone to choose therefore depends mostly on who is travelling with you, how long you stay and the season.

The city welcomes pilgrims all year round, with peaks during Ramadan and the Hajj season, when hotels close to the mosque fill up very early. Summer is very hot, which makes every walk harder for older people and children. Medina is also the shopping stop of the trip, dates and gifts first of all: plan a room with enough space for luggage. The city's airport is served by taxis and by transfers organised by agencies, and the high-speed rail line links Medina with Jeddah and Makkah.

Where to stay in Medina

• First ring, around the Prophet's Mosque

  You step out of the hotel and you are on the esplanade. This is the most sought-after zone, ideal for families with elderly parents or children, since every prayer is reached without transport.

• Second ring, a shuttle ride away

  Often newer and more spacious hotels, generally quieter. Check that the shuttle runs for every prayer and where it drops you off; otherwise, count on taxis.

• Furnished apartments for groups

  For an extended family or a long stay, apartments and aparthotels offer a kitchen and space. Look carefully at the position on the map: the saving is lost if the journey becomes a burden.

Good to know before you book

• Check on the map which side of the mosque the hotel is on: the entrances reserved for women are not all on the same side, which matters for mothers with children and women travelling in a group.
• For Ramadan and the Hajj season, book well in advance: first-ring hotels go first, and walking distances feel longer in the crowds.
• Ask for family or connecting rooms and check the storage space: Medina is often the stop where the suitcases fill up.

Questions about Medina

Frequently asked questions