Medina is one of those places that has a value that is much bigger than normal tourism. Medina is considered the second holiest town in Islam after Mecca. It has always drawn millions of Muslim travelers from every part of the world. It may pose a challenge for other tourists, non-Muslim travelers to the area as they are required to know where they can visit and what areas are closed to them while maintaining the required degree of respect.
The journey begins at king Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Then they will continue the journey in business class to Medina where they will visit some interesting places such as a well-known date market and the biggest printing complex of Quran in the world.
Just like that, the trip to Medina transforms into a venture through Saudi Arabia and its unique traditions, hospitality, and significance of the sacred places of Medina.
While at the security checkpoint, a traveler was late for his flight and asked for permission to cut in line, and everyone surprisingly agreed. Consequently, there were no angry reactions or fights, creating the right atmosphere.
An amusing event happened at the airport regarding sound messages and alarms. A very loud burglar alarm warned about something for several minutes while people remained calm.
After finishing with the noise, the passengers went to the departure area.
The flight distance from Riyadh to Medina is not long and is equal to one and a half hours. Therefore, the business class cabin that I found myself in on board of Saudia Airlines was surprisingly roomy.
The seat was spacious, allowing even tall people of about 1.9 meters tall to have enough space for their legs. The big table ensured that a laptop could fit as well.
One of the most memorable moments of my trip was tasting Saudi coffee for the first time.
In comparison to the strong black coffee typical in the Western world, Saudi Arabian coffee appears lighter, even tart. The taste profile is also quite different, resembling a blend between coffee and tea.
Despite feeling different at first, the experience was enjoyable.
A big plus in the whole experience was the flight meal. Choices were quite limited to either prawns or chicken. Chicken option was chosen for this flight. The meal itself came with salad, bread, and some dessert.
Considering only about an hour and a half of airtime, the food quality was above expectations.
Is Business Class Worth the Money?
The purchase of a business class ticket was made with about $400, while an economy ticket was about $100 back in the day.
When you take into consideration that it is just a domestic flight, the idea of paying about four times more did not sound as convincing in the end.
In any case, the journey in the plane was quite all right and pleasant.
Before long, the plane touched down in Medina.
First Impressions Upon Reaching Medina
Given that it was a national flight in Saudi Arabia, there was no immigration process upon arrival. There was nothing to worry about when it came to collecting the luggage, and getting transportation into the city was comparatively easy.
Uber was an option, while the airport also had data about official taxies and transport services.
The temperature felt quite different from Riyadh. Medina was hotter, with the temperature being around 26 degrees compared to 16 degrees in Riyadh.
The trip towards the city lasted about half an hour.
In the process, the desert landscape and sunset provided a stunning first view of the area.
Staying at a Luxurious Hotel in Medina
Medina is known for its expensive accommodation, especially in the central area around the Prophet’s Mosque.
The hotel had a grand entrance with an open area that looks over the reception. The room was spacious and featured a cozy bed, a seating area, a big bathroom, and a roomy sink area.
While the room looked luxurious, the furniture did feel outdated. Additionally, the view was not as nice as expected given the price of roughly $250 per night.
However, the staff were very friendly and hospitable and the entire experience was pleasant from a comfort point of view.
Why Is Medina So Significant in Islam?
For anyone wondering why Medina is regarded as a holy city in Islam, the answer lies in its history in the Islamic religion.
Medina is the place where Prophet Muhammad set up the first Muslim community and mosque after leaving Mecca in an incident called the Hijra.
The city is home to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of the most significant and sacred mosques in Islam.
Medina, for Muslims all over the planet, holds a more significant meaning than being a historical landmark. The city is closely linked with faith and spirituality and has a prominent position in the history of Islam.
Every year, millions of Muslims travel to this religious destination.
Discovering the Date Market of Medina
Prior to discovering the city center, there was another important Medina adventure worth having—the date market.
Dates play a crucial role in Middle Eastern cuisine and must be mentioned in this context since Medina is known for producing various types of dates.
Different varieties of dates could be found in the market with one being dark and coming from Medina—the differences could be seen in terms of taste and texture.
Some dates were soft and creamy while others were hard.
One of the sellers also offered a fantastic solution—dates served with Arabic coffee.
A Surprising Instance of Saudi Hospitality
The date marketplace was also the site of the most touching experience of the entire trip.
After discussing the various types of dates offered for sale, the vendor presented a box of dates as a gift and refused to accept payment.
Even when payment was offered, it was politely refused.
This episode is one of those we returned to over and over during our trip: the astonishing hospitality of the people.
Those who come from cultures where giving gifts is an important aspect of kindness may find it hard to accept such a situation.
The experience showed that hospitality can take different forms throughout the world.
Exploring the World’s Biggest Quran Printing Factory
Another interesting place to visit in Medina is the Quran printing factory.
It was founded in 1985 and is responsible for printing millions of copies of the Quran in different languages and forms.
The scale of the project was impressive.
Tourists from all over the world come to the facility, showing how popular Medina is around the world. Countless people from Malaysia, Pakistan, and other countries are spotted coming in groups.
The complex also offers copies of the Quran for free.
However, there are also some considerations when it comes to non-Muslim visitors. Different rules apply to the original Arabic version of the Quran and the translations. To abide by these rules, visitors should stick to the instructions and avoid touching any religious materials if they are not allowed.
This must be mentioned in any articles that deal with the topic of traveling to Medina for non-Muslims. It is important to know about religious traditions and customs that must be followed in advance.
Discovering Local Food and Traditional Drinks
The area around the Quran printing factory also offers new chances to discover the local Saudi life.
The experience was easy to do, but it taught me an interesting thing about traveling in Saudi Arabia: many important things happen off the beaten track.
Local markets, small restaurants, street sellers, and daily communication often give a better understanding of the place than popular sights.
Going Toward Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
Then we kept going to downtown Medina.
When we got closer to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the atmosphere started to change.
This is a very holy place for Muslims, which is why visiting it is a very special experience for a non-Muslim.
Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque itself; that is why it was decided to stay outside and not to come close to special restrictions.
Feeling the Atmosphere at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
The atmosphere from outside was very strong.
Thousands of people are walking in the direction of the mosque. The streets are packed with tourists from all over the world, and the atmosphere is very quiet and peaceful.
The presence of restaurants and shops in Medina’s vicinity is indicative of the cosmopolitan nature of the city. There are a variety of food options available in the city, including Indian, Indonesian, Afghan, Turkish, and others, which demonstrates the multicultural environment of Medina.
Despite the number of people visiting the city, the city continues to be tranquil.
Being in Medina was a remarkable experience, especially the sound of the call to prayer coming from speakers located in the area.
Instead of regarding Medina as a common tourist spot, the trip serves as a reminder of the significant role the city plays in the lives of the followers of Islam.
Should Non-Muslims Travel to Medina?
The question whether non-Muslims should be capable of going to the city seems to play an important role. Some individuals believe that the cities of Islam should be available only for Muslims, while others consider regulated access to these places to be a good way of achieving understanding and education.
The most significant point related to the trip is not whether it is possible for non-Muslims to get to Medina.
Religious sites should not be seen as materials for the social media network.
Visitors are generally allowed to be excited, curious, or interested, but they must also be aware of the spiritual value of such sites for other people.
The point was particularly important in this journey.
Choosing Respect in Favor of Filming
What was initially planned involved prior exploration of the area around the Prophet’s Mosque, which included filming of the local market, surrounding streets, restaurants, and underground shopping centres.
However, after spending some time in the destination area, it was decided not to film too much.
Thus, the inner battle of whether it is better to make more interesting footage or simply to respect the vibes of the place took place.
In the end, the second option won.
The concept is particularly relevant when we talk about travelling to religious and sacred destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Why is Medina Different from Other Places?
The most remarkable thing about Medina is its international nature.
It is a place where people from different nations can meet each other. Languages from various Asian countries, the Middle East, and other parts of the world could be heard in the main square.
At the same time, the city still remains connected to Islam-related events from the past.
Hence, we can say that Medina is an interesting cultural place to visit. It is a modern city in Saudi Arabia, an international city, and one of the key religious places.
It is also worth noting that travel can be more than just sightseeing.
It is more about listening, watching, learning, and understanding the significance of a place for those who live there.
The trip started with a pleasant domestic flight from Riyadh, made its way via local bazaars and cultural sites, and ended at the Prophet’s Mosque site.
There were various unforgettable moments during the trip, including trying some Saudi coffee, tasting a few dates from Medina, receiving some gifts from the locals, drinking fresh orange juice, meeting travelers from different parts of the world, and finding out about the process of Quran distribution.
However, the most valuable lesson learned was about respect.
Even though it is possible to visit a sacred place, it doesn’t mean that it is treated as an ordinary tourist attraction. Tourists canlearn and enjoy a new culture but they also need to realize they also need to abide by certain limits while visiting such places.
If you are thinking of traveling to Medina as a non-Muslim, it is important to prepare for the trip and know the culture well. Locate the areas that cannot be entered, dress correctly, listen to local people, and remember that it is primarily a sacred place for Muslims.
Medina is more than just a tourist spot to tick off the travel checklist. It is endowed with mantled in history, reflections on faith, emotions, and significance that cannot be fully grasped without being physically present there.
If you are a traveler seeking to gain knowledge about various cultures, religions, in that case, Medina is indeed an unforgettable destination.
