10 Popular Places to Visit in Madinah During Umrah Pilgrimage

Madinah is the holy city of Islam that pilgrims visit through their umrah packages from London and other cities. Since, the city is directly related to our Holy prophet Hazrat Muhmmad (SAWW), hundreds of thousands of Muslims travel to Madinah after their holy rituals in Makkah and pay their respects. They offer prayers there and make supplications.

Here are the 10 popular places to visit in Madinah during Umrah pilgrimage.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi.

The Prophet's Mosque, also known as Al-Masjid-al-Nabawi (SAWW) is the second holiest and second largest mosque of the Islamic religion present in the heart of Madinah city in Saudia Arabia. It is the resting places of our Holy Prophet (SAWW) as well. In the past the mosque also served as a;

• Community centre.

• Prison.

• Educational institute.

• Court.

Rawdah (Riyadh al-Jannah):

Present within the premises of Masjid-al-Nabawi (SAWW) in Madinah, the Rawdah (Riyad-al-Jannah) is a considered to be one of the gardens from the garden of paradise. For the Muslims, it is preferred to offer voluntary prayers here and make dua.

Quba Mosque.

Masjid-e-Quba is a significant landmark because it was the first ever mosque built in the name of Islam by Hazrat Muhmmad (SAWW). Its mention is also present in the Holy Quran.

Souq Bazar.

The old Bazaar of Madinah (Souq) is where you can find traditional;

• Handicrafts.

• Clothing.

• Perfumes.

• Spices.

• Souvenirs.

All in all, the place offers a very unique shopping experience with a hint of local culture.

Qiblatayn Mosque.

Masjid-e-Qiblatayn gets its name (the mosque of two Qiblas) from the fact that when Hazrat Muhmmad (SAWW) was leading a prayer in this mosque, a revelation from Allah Almighty came to change the Qibla direction from Bait-al-Muqadas (in Jerusalem) to Holy Kaabah (in Makkah).

Since then, Holy Kaabah is the only Qibla of Islam i.e., where all he Muslim offer their prayers facing in its direction.

Uhud Mountain.

Uhud Mountain is where the Battle of Uhud took place. Here, the graves of the martyrs of Uhud are also present where one can go and pay respects.

Madinah Date Palm Oasis.

A beautiful space with palm trees, and lot of greenery, Madinah Date Palm Oasis is a must visit on your trip to the city. This place has a very tranquil environment for you to relax your mind and body while surrounding yourself with the natural beauty of Madinah.

Jannat al-Baqi.

Jannat al-Baqi is the oldest, most significant holy cemetery present in Madinah where many notable companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) as well as some of his (SAWW) family members are resting. So, pilgrims can visit it and make dua for the gone ones.

Qasr al-Bilad.

An ancient fortress situated in the Madinah city, Qasr al-Bilad possesses exceptional historical value to learn about.

Quba Dates Market:

Knowns for its savoury, delish dates, Madinah city has a specific Quba Dates market where one can go taste and then purchase from a variety of dates. You can find any type of date you desire here.

Not only the Quba Dates Market has a range of different types of dates to offer for purchase but also one can experience the local Saudi culture there as well as buy souvenirs for their loved ones back home. You can visit all these mosques after booking December umrah packages 2023 because Umrah in the month of December is cheaper as compare to other months of Gregorian Calendar.

So, these are the 10 popular places that you must visit while in the holy city of Madinah.

New Saudi Transit Visa 2023 -Free Umrah & Accommodation

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's travel regulations were updated as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 programme. Beginning in 2023, the country will issue transit visas to visitors from all around the world. With this transit visa, overseas travellers can easily enter the Kingdom for a 4-day layover. It has a validity period of up to three months, and can be renewed.

Any traveller passing through Saudi Arabia who plans to stay for less than 96 hours must first get a transit visa. This, however, does not apply to nationals of nations whose residents do not require a visa to enter the Kingdom. Umrah in the month of December is cheaper as compare to the other month packages. Alhijaz Travel has offered Cheap December Umrah Packages in advance and with cheapest prices.

The guidelines for the New Saudi Transit Visa 2023 are detailed below.

Applying for a Saudi Transit Visa.

Foreigners can apply for a Saudi Arabia transit visa through the;

• The applicant's preferred airline.

• There is a travel agency.

• Experienced and trusted visa service.

However, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (including but not limited to Saudi Arabia) are exempt from needing a visa to enter the country and can transit through without issue.

1. Bahrain.

2. Oman.

3. Kuwait.

4. Qatar.

5. the Emirates of the Arab League.

Documents required.

The following items are required to apply for a Saudi Transit Visa:

1. One must have a passport that is valid for at least another six months.

2. Permanent resident (PR) or residency (residence) status in the country to which you are applying.

3. Two colour pictures of the applicant in passport size.

4. A Saudi visa application form, completed and signed.

5. A signed statement affirming the applicant's willingness to abide by Saudi law.

6. documentation that a flight has been booked and paid for.

7. A room at a hotel has been reserved for you.

8. Submit a printed visa application using the Enjaz e-portal to the relevant authorities.

How to apply?

• The applicant must first choose both his international point of departure and his international point of arrival.

• Pick the flights with enough time between them to suit you (up to 96 hours is allowed).

• Apply for a stopover visa on the extra services page at https://www.saudia.com.

• The visa and airfare costs should be paid together.

• Your transit visa and travel insurance for the entire period of your stay in the kingdom will be emailed to the address you provide during registration.

Transit visa cost.

The new Saudi Transit (96 hours) visa is expected to cost roughly SAR 100 (or GBP 22). Travellers should check with their airlines, travel agents, or the Saudi Embassy they plan to visit prior to departure to confirm the most up-to-date visa fee.

Free Umrah on Transit visa.

Muslim tourists from other countries are allowed to perform small pilgrimage rituals at Makkah and Madinah while in route.

Within the 96-hour window allowed for those with transit visas, Umrah can be conducted at any time. After Purchasing Umrah VISA it is suggested to book All inclusive cheap umrah packages from any well know travel agency from country you are travelling.

Free accommodation on a Transit visa.

To receive a free night's lodging, visit the SAUDIA holidays banner and fill out the application.

• The free one-night package should be reserved at least 48 hours prior to departure.

• Show your boarding pass to the front desk upon arrival to take advantage of the hotel's free overnight stay with a transit visa.

• The chosen hotel's policies will apply in the event of a cancellation or refund.

As you can see, a Saudi Transit visa allows you to take advantage of complimentary Umrah chances and lodging.

How much money should I take to Umrah?

Although the Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it's only compulsory for those who are financially able to afford to go. Umrah is a lesser form of Hajj, meaning that you do not have to do it as a matter of obligation. For UK citizens, it is easier to go via Umrah packages from UK-based travel agents. They make adequate arrangements.

Financial capability means that you are able to cover travel, accommodation and all other requirements during your Hajj or Umrah. If you do not have sufficient funds to meet your family's needs, Umrah (or Hajj for sure) is not compulsory for you. At this point, it is to be duly noted that it is acceptable to accept a free trip to Hajj as a gift or Sadaqah, provided your dependents are sufficiently provided for.

Money in Saudi Arabia

The currency used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Saudi Riyal. This is denominated in the following denominations:

Banknotes denominated in 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyal notes.

Changing money at home It is a good idea to have a small amount of money changed in your home country before you embark on your trip. Bring a minimum of 500 SR with you. This will enable you to meet immediate expenses on arrival in Saudi Arabia until you are accustomed to changing money on the spot. It also saves you the time and hassle of going to the bank, which tends to be busy during some seasons. Exchange rates in Saudi Arabia vary depending on where you exchange your money. There are several banks and money exchange offices in Makkah and Madinah, all of which will offer you roughly the same exchange rate. You will need to go to a Money Exchanger if you are from a country that uses a less common currency. Money changers tend to be less busy and queues are usually shorter, so it is recommended that you change your money at an exchange rather than a bank. On arrival at the airport, you can also change money.

One thing to duly bear in mind is that itineraries that have already been drawn up are more helpful for an accurate estimation of the total budget that is required for your trip. However, if you are inclined to plan your trip by yourself, you should have a surplus with you in case there have been any unforeseen circumstances.

Also, it is recommended to keep the following things in mind when planning your budget before departure. Put money aside for purchases to do for your family and friends.

List everyone you will be spending money on and budget an amount for each.

Also duly remember that if you break the rules of Ihram or miss any of the obligatory acts, you may have to make additional sacrifices as expiation.

If you are running low on cash, you should be able to get more using your credit/debit card, although transaction fees may apply depending on your card issuer and their policy on foreign transactions. The Saudi Payments Network is the only major payment system in the Kingdom. With many in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, there are over 15,000 ATMs in the Kingdom. If you are running low on cash, you should be able to get more using your credit/debit card, although transaction fees may apply depending on your card issuer and their policy on foreign transactions. The Saudi Payments Network is the only major payment system in the Kingdom. With many in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, there are over 15,000 ATMs in the Kingdom. Depending on your card issuer, there may be a percentage transaction fee for international withdrawals, so you should check with your bank before you leave if you plan to withdraw money from an ATM. Remember that the exchange rate at an ATM is not as good as the rate at a Money Exchanger.

Finally, sadly speaking but to speak the truth, such holiest places like Makkah and Madinah are not free of theft, and these thieves particularly focus on Pilgrims as their prime targets, ever since they are unaware of them or are less cautious while performing their religious rites. This lack of consciousness results in the loss of money or belongings.

To reduce the risk of your thing being stolen, get a waist belt which has a pouch on it. This would help you carry your money and necessary belongings when on the venture. Also, place your valuables in the safe present in your room. If the crowd persists, hold your pouch in your hand.