EXPLORE SAUDI

Médine en 48 Heures

Bienvenue à Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah (« la Ville illuminée »), un sanctuaire de paix qui touche l'âme de chaque visiteur. Cet itinéraire de 48 heures allie dévotion spirituelle et exploration historique approfondie, de la Mosquée du Prophète au mont Uhud et aux anciens champs de bataille.

Un guide ciblé de 48 heures à Médine, couvrant à la fois l'importance de son patrimoine islamique et les expériences culturelles accessibles à tous les visiteurs. Pour les musulmans, cela inclut la Mosquée du Prophète et les sites historiques environnants. Pour les non-musulmans, Médine offre une architecture magnifique, d'excellents marchés alimentaires et une atmosphère unique en tant que l'une des villes les plus saintes de l'islam.

Highlights

  • Al Masjid an Nabawi (Mosquée du Prophète)
  • Mosquée de Quba et promenade Darb Al-Sunnah
  • Mont Uhud et cimetière des Martyrs
  • Musée Dar Al Madinah
  • Les Sept Mosquées et le site de la bataille du Fossé
  • Marché central aux dattes et dattes Ajwa
  • Foire internationale et musée de la biographie du Prophète
  • Cuisine traditionnelle Mandi et Kabsa

Day 1: Medina's Spiritual Heart — Prophet's Mosque, Date Souq & Mount Uhud

Arrive in Medina via Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, 15 kilometres from the city centre. Transfer to your hotel — choose accommodation within walking distance of the Prophet's Mosque for the best experience. Hotels in the Haram district range from SAR 300-1,200 per night. Important: the central Haram area is restricted to Muslims only. Non-Muslim visitors should focus on outer cultural and historical sites. For Muslim visitors, the morning priority is the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), one of the largest mosques in the world accommodating over one million worshippers. The iconic green dome marks the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Rawdah area between the tomb and the pulpit is considered one of the most sacred spaces in Islam. Arrive before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. After the mosque visit, walk five minutes south to Souq Al-Tamour (the Dates Market), a vast covered market selling over 150 varieties of dates. The premium Ajwa dates from Medina cost SAR 80-200 per kilogram. Sample before buying and vendors happily explain differences between Sukkari, Safawi, and Medjool varieties. Lunch at Al Baik (SAR 15-30) or sit-down at Shababeek Restaurant (SAR 50-90). In the afternoon, take a taxi 5 kilometres north to Mount Uhud, site of the Battle of Uhud (625 CE). The mountain is sacred in Islamic tradition and the adjacent Martyrs' Cemetery holds graves of companions. The area is open to all visitors. Sunset from near Uhud is stirring — the mountain glows red-orange as light fades.

Morning

  • Arrive at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport — 15 km transfer to Haram district
  • Prophet's Mosque before 9:00 AM — Rawdah area, green dome, morning atmosphere (Muslims only)
  • Souq Al-Tamour (Date Market) — 150+ varieties, Ajwa dates SAR 80-200/kg

Afternoon

  • Lunch at Al Baik (SAR 15-30) or Shababeek Restaurant (SAR 50-90)
  • Mount Uhud — Battle of Uhud site, Martyrs Cemetery, open to all visitors
  • Uhud museum and memorial area — panoramic views of Medina

Evening

  • Sunset near Mount Uhud — mountain glows red-orange
  • Evening walk around illuminated Prophet's Mosque plaza
  • Dinner: Hejazi saleeg at a traditional restaurant (SAR 40-60)

Day 2: Quba Mosque, Old Medina Streets & Cultural Heritage

Start at Quba Mosque, 5 kilometres south of the Prophet's Mosque. Quba is considered the first mosque built in Islam and holds special significance — praying two rakahs here is considered equivalent to performing an Umrah. The current structure is modern with white marble and elegant minarets. Non-Muslims can view the exterior and surrounding gardens. From Quba, explore Medina's old streets. Unlike many Saudi cities that demolished historic quarters during modernisation, Medina has preserved pockets of traditional architecture — narrow alleyways, stone buildings, and small neighbourhood mosques dating back centuries. Walk through the Al-Awali district where traditional mud and stone houses still stand. Visit the Hejaz Railway Station Museum, a beautifully restored Ottoman-era station from the famous Hejaz Railway connecting Damascus to Medina (built 1900-1908). The museum houses original locomotives, photographs, and artefacts. Entry is free. For lunch, explore Al-Manakhah area for local food stalls serving saleeg, matazeez (thick pasta in meat broth), and shawarma (SAR 20-50). In the afternoon, visit Dar Al-Madinah Museum (SAR 30) with interactive displays, scale models of the Prophet's Mosque through centuries, and artefacts from Medina's past. Late afternoon for souvenir shopping: prayer beads, attar perfume oils (pure oud from SAR 100), Islamic calligraphy, and more dates. Medina's attar shops are particularly renowned.

Morning

  • Quba Mosque — first mosque in Islam, 5 km south, white marble complex
  • Al-Awali district — traditional mud and stone houses, narrow alleyways
  • Hejaz Railway Station Museum — Ottoman-era station, original locomotives (free)

Afternoon

  • Lunch at Al-Manakhah food stalls — saleeg, matazeez, shawarma (SAR 20-50)
  • Dar Al-Madinah Museum (SAR 30) — interactive history, scale models
  • Souvenir shopping — prayer beads, attar oud oil (from SAR 100), calligraphy

Evening

  • Final walk around Prophet's Mosque — illuminated plaza at night
  • Farewell dinner — lamb mandi at Zamzam Restaurant (SAR 45-80)
  • Transfer to airport for departure or onward travel

Questions fréquentes

Les non-musulmans peuvent-ils visiter Médine ?
Les non-musulmans peuvent visiter la ville de Médine, ses restaurants, ses hôtels, ses marchés et ses sites culturels extérieurs. Cependant, les non-musulmans ne peuvent pas entrer dans la zone centrale du Haram autour de la Mosquée du Prophète. La ville offre beaucoup à voir en dehors de la zone réservée.
Comment se rendre à Médine ?
Prenez un vol direct depuis Riyad (1.5 heures), Jeddah (45 minutes), ou via des correspondances internationales. Le train à grande vitesse Haramain relie Médine à Jeddah en 1 heure 45. Le trajet en voiture depuis Jeddah prend environ 4 heures.
Quelle est la meilleure période pour visiter Médine ?
En dehors de la saison du Hajj et du Ramadan pour moins de foule. La période d'octobre à mars offre un climat agréable (18-28 °C). Les visites pendant le Ramadan sont spirituellement enrichissantes pour les musulmans, mais très fréquentées.
Quel budget prévoir pour 48 heures à Médine ?
SAR 1,500-4,000 par personne. Hôtels près du Haram : SAR 300-1,500/nuit (les prix grimpent pendant la saison de l'Omra). Repas : SAR 30-80. Les meilleures boutiques de dattes se trouvent dans le souk central — prévoyez SAR 100-300 pour les cadeaux.