Discover Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A City of Timeless Heritage and Modern Innovation
2.24 million
Residents
+1.500
Archaeological and historical sites
2.34%
Annual Growth Rate
14.1 Million
Visitors in 2023
Madinah — known as Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the Luminous City —a city where history meets modernity, and spirituality harmonizes with progress.
Nestled in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, Madinah is a city of profound spiritual and cultural significance. Renowned for landmarks like the Prophet’s Mosque, Quba Mosque, and Qiblatain Mosque, the city is home to over 1,500 historical and archaeological sites that have shaped Islamic civilization.
Today, Madinah seamlessly blends its rich heritage with modern advancements. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, including an international airport, a high-speed railway, and a bustling industrial port, the city stands as a global hub of connectivity. Its vibrant markets, ancient traditions, and dynamic cultural scene create a unique atmosphere that celebrates both the past and the future.
With a population of over 2.24 million residents, Madinah welcomes over 14 million visitors annually from more than 190 countries.
In 2024 Madinah recognized by UNESCO as part of the Global Network of Learning Cities, continuing to thrive as a center for knowledge, cultural exchange, inclusive growth and innovation.
Madinah’s Cultural Legacy: from Ancient Settlement to Thriving Trade Hub
Medina’s history stretches back to the Stone Age, when it first emerged as a vital settlement. Known as Yathrib in ancient texts, including Babylonian records from the 6th century BC, its strategic location along caravan routes between Yemen and the Levant established it as a thriving hub of trade and cultural exchange. Medina evolved into a bustling hub where ideas, cultures merged and goods like dates, barley, and wool passed through vibrant markets, linking the city to distant regions such as Egypt, Abyssinia, China, and India.
Over more than 2,500 years, Medina’s openness to diverse influences has profoundly shaped its identity. From poetry and music to culinary traditions and agricultural innovations, the city has become a living repository of Arabian heritage, where ancient practices blend seamlessly with enduring cultural vitality.
Medina’s Vision for Sustainable Growth through Gastronomy
Madinah has been tracing a transformative path to position the city as a global leader in sustainability, resilience, inclusiveness, and innovation for several years. At the core of this vision is its aspiration to become a hub for creative gastronomy. Through its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Candidature, Medina aims to position itself as a model of sustainable urban growth, where tradition and innovation converge to create a brighter future.
Discover Madinah’s UNESCO
Creative City Candidature
Discover Madinah’s UNESCO Creative City candidature and its commitment to creating a resilient, vibrant, and culturally diverse community where tradition and innovation thrive together through its Gastronomy Heritage.
