Dar al-Madinah Museum: what it shows and how to visit

What the museum is

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah describes Dar al-Madinah as the first specialised museum about the architectural and civilisational heritage of Madinah. It follows the history of the city from the Prophet’s migration to the present day. The museum’s own website says it was established in 1995.

According to the Ministry’s guide, visitors move through the history of the city, the Prophet’s Mosque and the biography of the Prophet. Guides inside tell the history and details of the exhibits in several languages. The museum website lists models of Masjid an-Nabawi, items from the Prophet’s era, objects that reflect the lives of the companions, manuscripts and displays on how Madinah developed.

It is a museum of history and craft, not a place of worship. We do not give religious guidance.

Where it is

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah lists the museum in its Madinah landmark guide beside other visitor attractions in the city.

For this reason the driver confirms the route with you at booking. If your hotel is near the Prophet’s Mosque, the drive is usually short.

Tickets and opening hours

The museum website says tickets are booked through its events page.

Our advice:

1. Book online first. Use the museum’s own booking page, not a third party.
2. Choose a time slot. Tell us the slot so we plan the drive and the waiting time.
3. Check the language. The website offers Arabic and English. The Ministry says guides speak several languages.

We do not sell the ticket and do not take any commission on it. Your driver takes you there and back.

Other museums in Madinah

The Ministry’s guide lists several other museums and exhibitions. Dar al-Madinah is one. The others are the International Fairs and Museums of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, which the guide places in the southern area facing the qiblah side of the Prophet’s Mosque, the Architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque Exhibition on the southern side of the mosque, the Sirah Experience: Journey to Quba, which lasts 20 to 25 minutes, and the As-Safiyah Orchard Museum, about 7 km east of the Prophet’s Mosque.

Ask us if you want a different museum, and we will say plainly what we can plan.

Practical notes

• Go in the heat of the day. A museum is a good choice at midday, when outdoor stops are hard.
• Dress modestly. The same rules as other sites in Madinah apply.
• Photography. Ask the staff. Rules can differ by gallery.
• Wheelchairs. A folding wheelchair travels in the Staria or Hiace boot at no extra charge, and the driver helps the passenger into a seat. Tell us before booking if the passenger cannot leave the wheelchair.
• Booking ahead. Slots can fill in busy seasons, so book before you plan the rest of the day.

Which of our tours includes the museum

The two hour ziyarat does not include it. The four hour full ziyarat on the page Madinah ziyarat taxi can include it as a stop, in addition to Jannat al-Baqi, the mosques near the Haram, Quba, Qiblatain, Masjid al-Jumu’ah, Bir Uthman, the Seven Mosques with time at Masjid al-Fath, a longer stop at Uhud, the date market or a date farm, and the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex.

Fares are for the whole vehicle, return included. Time inside the museum beyond the tour’s four hours is charged at the hourly rate from SAR 80. You pay the driver at the end. See the ziyarat hub and every published fare.