Medina as Non Muslim - Solo Travel in Saudi Arabia المدينة المنورة المملكة العربية السعودية أجنبي

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, and one of the most visited places in Saudi Arabia. As a non Muslim, it was unsure whether I could travel to the city center, reading conflicting reports beforehand. I decided to check for myself, and found that I was allowed to visit everywhere, except inside the main mosque, the Al Masjid an Nawabi.

Medina is known as the City of the Prophet, and considered the second holiest site in Islam after Mecca. This is where Islam’s main Prophet, Muhammad, lived and was eventually laid to rest. All able Muslims are supposed to make the journey to Medina and Mecca once in their life.

This is the third episode of a 6 part vlog style series about my journey through Saudi Arabia. For other episodes, please click here:

Episode 1 - One Day in Riyadh:    • Saudi Arabia Travel - One Day in Riya...  

Episode 2 - Journey to the Edge of the World:    • Saudi Arabia Desert - Edge of the Wor...  

Episode 4 - Umluj Islands in the Red Sea:    • Middle East Travel - Tropical Paradis...  

Episode 5 - Camel Racing in Saudi Arabia:    • Camel Racing in Saudi Arabia - Middle...  

Episode 6 - Jeddah City Tour:    • Jeddah City Tour - The Liberal Saudi ...  

For a view of Saudi Arabia from above:    • Saudi Arabia from Above - An Aerial D...  

Saudi Arabia has long been off limits to foreign tourists and travelers. Since a few months, however, it’s possible to visit the country on a tourist visa. I made use of this opportunity and traveled solo to Saudi Arabia for 2 weeks, including Riyadh, the Edge of the World, Medina, Al Ula, Umluj, Jeddah and the Red Sea coast.

Saudi Arabia is mostly known in the ‘Western world’ for its petroleum export, the birthplace of the religion of Islam, and unfortunately also poor human rights record. But as I discover there is much more to this massive country than first meets the eye. In these series I hope to give a glimpse into what was once an almost ‘forbidden place’ for independent travelers, and is now open for visitors from around the world.

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Note: I travel independently and take no money from sponsors. This journey through Saudi Arabia was paid for and organized entirely by myself.

Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media