Ziyarat means “visit.” These historical visits are not part of the rites of Hajj or Umrah and carry no special ritual, but they bring the life of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions vividly to mind. Visit with respect: these are places of reflection, not shrines to seek blessings from.
Our group packages include guided half-day ziyarat tours in both cities with an English-speaking scholar. Ask for details.
Ziyarat in and around Makkah
- Jabal al-Nour & the Cave of Hira — the mountain where the Prophet ﷺ received the first revelation. A steep 1–2 hour climb; many pilgrims view it from the base.
- Jabal Thawr — the cave where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr sheltered during the Hijrah to Madinah.
- Mina, Muzdalifah & Arafah — the Hajj plains. Outside Hajj season you can drive through and see Jabal al-Rahmah (the Mount of Mercy) at Arafah.
- Masjid al-Jinn, Masjid al-Rayah and other early mosques in the old city.
- Masjid Aisha (Tan’im) and Ji’ranah — the boundary mosques where Makkah residents and visitors enter ihram for an additional Umrah.
Ziyarat in and around Madinah
- Masjid an-Nabawi & the Rawdah — the Prophet’s Mosque, his resting place, and the area between his pulpit and chamber described as “a garden of Paradise.” Entry to the Rawdah is by timed permit through the Nusuk app.
- Jannat al-Baqi — the main cemetery of Madinah, where many companions and family of the Prophet ﷺ are buried. Open to men at set times.
- Masjid Quba — the first mosque built in Islam. A two-rak’ah prayer here carries the reward of an Umrah.
- Masjid al-Qiblatain — the “mosque of the two qiblas,” where the direction of prayer was changed to the Kaaba.
- Mount Uhud & the martyrs’ cemetery — the battlefield of Uhud and the grave of Hamzah (RA) and 70 companions.
- The Seven Mosques (Sab’a Masajid) and the Trench (Khandaq) area — sites connected to the Battle of the Trench.
A stop in Jeddah
Many itineraries include a few hours in Jeddah on arrival or departure — the historic Al-Balad old town (a UNESCO site), the Floating Mosque (Masjid al-Rahmah) on the Red Sea, and the Corniche.
Practical notes
- Dress and behave as you would inside the Haram; women should carry a scarf.
- Half-day tours run morning or evening to avoid the midday heat.
- Book Rawdah and, in season, Hajj-area access through the official Nusuk platform in advance.
- Photography is restricted inside Masjid an-Nabawi and at Jannat al-Baqi.
Related: Hajj 2027 guide · How to perform Umrah · Hajj packages · Photo gallery
Access rules and permit systems change frequently. Your group leader will confirm current arrangements on the ground.
Want Guided Ziyarat Included?
Our Hajj and Umrah packages include scholar-led ziyarat tours in both Makkah and Madinah.