One of Islam’s two holiest cities, Medina (also known as Madinah) attracts millions of Muslim pilgrims each year for Hajj and Umrah. While the city is known for its religious significance and plethora of historical sites, it is increasingly emerging as a destination where local Saudis and tourists can visit for a relaxing or culturally stimulating getaway weekend.
During the evening, the charming city of Medina comes alive with numerous late-night restaurants, evening bazaars, prayers at Al Masjid an Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) and alluring locations for mesmerizing scenic views. Here’s our list of what not to miss when the sun goes down.
1. Evening prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque
A most magical experience is to attend evening prayer, either Maghrib at sunset or Isha later at night at Al Masjid an Nabawi, which is the second mosque built by Prophet Muhammad after the Quba Mosque. It is also the second-largest mosque in Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. For pilgrims and religious visitors to Medina, praying at the mosque is a beautiful experience. There’s something otherworldly and deeply spiritual to be experienced as one prays amid such a historical and religious structure alongside other Muslims who are similarly engaged in prayer.
2. Mount Uhud at Night
During the day numerous pilgrims and other visitors can be found hiking up Mount Uhud, where the second most crucial battle in Islamic history, the Battle of Uhud of 625 CE, took place. While numerous sites of the historic battle can still be visited, and it is best to do so during the day, at night the mountain offers a serene and calming experience. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Medina magically lit at night and the surrounding desert.
3. Nighttime city tour of Medina
Medina has dozens of historical and cultural sites to visit and a great time to do so is in the evening – especially during the hottest months of the year. The Prophet’s Mosque is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. The Quba Mosque, the first mosque built by Prophet Muhammad, is also open 24 hours a day.
There’s also the Masjid al Qiblatain, a historically important mosque for Muslims because it was allegedly here that Prophet Muhammad received an order from Allah to change the Qibla – direction of prayer – from Jerusalem to Mecca. The mosque was built in 623 CE and is one of the very few mosques globally to have two mihrabs, architectural niches that indicate the qibla, facing different directions. It is also open 24 hours a day.
While these are three of the most important mosques in Medina to visit, there are smaller locations that are important historical monuments. Miqat Mosque, where Muslims usually visit before embarking on Hajj and Umrah trips; Al Anbariya Mosque, built in 1326 CE during the Ottoman era on behalf of Sultan Abdul Hamid II; the Seven mosques, and Al Ghamama Mosque, one of the city’s historical relics believed to be located where the Prophet Muhammad performed an Eid prayer in 631 CE. These are just a few of the major mosques visitors to Medina can visit at night to enjoy a serene, calming and intimate experience.
4. Late night cafés and restaurants
Due to the hot desert climate of Saudi Arabia, many locals prefer to socialise over a cup of coffee well after the sun goes down. Medina, like other cities in the Kingdom, has dozens of cafés and restaurants. From the upscale Al Ansar at The Oberoi Hotel offering 24-hour fine dining and serving Arabic, Western and Indian cuisine to Raslania Café near the Prophet’s Mosque, which serves international and Saudi coffee and drinks all day long, there’s a wealth of options for everyone. For those who love burgers and more American cuisine, there’s the popular Cacao and More, a café-bakery-restaurant open daily until 2am.
