Madinah has stepped up its services for pilgrims arriving after Hajj, preparing more than 19,000 square meters of pedestrian walkways in the central area around the Prophet's Mosque and rolling out an integrated package of guidance and operational support. The Saudi Press Agency reported the measures in early June 2026.

The work is aimed at the steady flow of pilgrims who travel to Madinah after completing the rites in Makkah. Authorities say the goal is to improve mobility, comfort, and safety in the busy zone immediately surrounding the mosque.

More Room to Walk

The Al-Madinah Region Development Authority announced the preparation and equipping of integrated pedestrian walkways covering a total area exceeding 19,000 square meters in the central area. According to the authority, the routes are designed to ease movement and raise comfort and safety levels for the crowds that gather around the Prophet's Mosque.

Pedestrian capacity is a central concern in both holy cities. Large numbers of worshippers arrive and depart around each of the five daily prayers, and well-designed walkways help separate flows, reduce congestion, and lower the risk of crowding. The central-area work in Madinah follows the same logic that drives crowd-management planning in Makkah.

An Integrated Service System

Alongside the walkways, the Prophet's Mosque welcomed post-Hajj pilgrims through a service system run by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. According to the authority, the package includes spatial guidance, information centers, multilingual inquiry services, and digital awareness initiatives.

The mosque's courtyards and corridors saw a steady flow of visitors, supported by field and organizational plans that manage entry and exit points and regulate movement. Particular attention was given to the Rawdah area, one of the most sought-after parts of the mosque, where visitor numbers are carefully controlled to maintain order and safety.

Part of a Wider Pattern

The Madinah measures reflect a broader Saudi approach that treats the period after Hajj as its own operational phase rather than an afterthought. As pilgrims shift from Makkah to Madinah, authorities redeploy guidance staff, signage, and services to match the changing demand. The opening of the Prophet's Mosque Library to arriving pilgrims, reported in the same period, is another element of that effort.

For pilgrims, the combination of wider walkways and structured guidance is intended to make the Madinah leg of the journey calmer and easier to navigate, especially for elderly visitors and those who are unfamiliar with the layout of the central area.

Practical Tips

Use the information centers. If you are unsure where to go, the multilingual inquiry services and information centers around the mosque are there to help. Asking early saves time and reduces stress in the crowds.

Plan Rawdah visits in advance. Access to the Rawdah is regulated, often through the Nusuk app. Check the current booking process before you arrive rather than relying on turning up in person.

Follow the marked routes. The new pedestrian walkways are designed to keep flows moving. Sticking to signposted paths, especially at peak times around prayers, is safer than cutting across crowds.

Allow extra time if you have mobility needs. The central area is large and busy. Elderly pilgrims and those with limited mobility should plan for longer walking times and ask staff about accessible routes.