Exploring Medina’s Sacred Ghars Well Water: Flavor, Quality, and Usage Tips [Saudi Arabia Travel Blog]

Saudi Arabia is home to numerous sacred wells, and among them, the “Ghars Well” (بئر غرس) located in Medina holds special significance for visitors. This well is believed to have been favored by Prophet Muhammad, and its water is thought to have special properties. In this article, I’ll share my experience of actually drinking this sacred well water, along with details about its quality, taste, and important information for visitors.

Check out our separate article about “Zamzam Water” as well!

Tasting the Sacred Water from Mecca’s Zamzam Well! Flavor, Benefits, and How to Get It [Zamzam Water Review]

What is the Ghars Well (بئر غرس)?

The Ghars Well is famous for being used by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad to wash himself and for drinking its water. It is said that Muhammad stated, “When I die, I wish to be washed with water from this well.” Because of such stories, this well’s water is considered extremely sacred among Muslims.

The well is located in the southeastern area of Medina, about 4 kilometers from the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) and about 1.5 kilometers from the Quba Mosque (Masjid al-Quba). The Ghars Well has become an important stop for pilgrims and tourists visiting Medina.

Relationship with the Zamzam Spring

Another sacred spring often mentioned alongside the Ghars Well is the Zamzam Spring in Mecca. The Zamzam Spring is believed to have miraculously appeared by God’s will to quench the thirst of Ishmael, son of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and is visited by many pilgrims each year. The Zamzam Spring water is also believed to provide physical and spiritual purification and health benefits when consumed.

Like the Zamzam Spring, the Ghars Well is considered sacred and is believed to have been particularly favored by Prophet Muhammad. However, while Zamzam water is popular as a souvenir and available in local supermarkets, Ghars water can only be obtained by actually visiting the well.

Visiting the Ghars Well

Interested in the Ghars Well, I decided to stop by during my trip to Medina. When visiting, you need to bring an empty bottle to fill with water from the tap (I heard that empty bottles can be purchased on-site if you forget to bring one).

Near the well, there are separate taps for men and women. This gender-based division reflects the characteristics of Islamic culture. The area around the taps can get crowded with people seeking the sacred water, and sometimes the queue can become a bit pushy, but it’s important to maintain polite behavior.

The Ghars Well water is provided free of charge and can be used freely by non-Muslims as well. This is a reassuring point for many tourists.

Trying the Water

When drinking Ghars Well water, a method based on Islamic Hadith (records of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions) is recommended, but this time I tried it using a generally accepted approach. It’s important to first offer a prayer of gratitude and then drink slowly, sip by sip.

While Zamzam water is characterized by a taste that suggests mineral content similar to hard water, the taste of Ghars Well water is very smooth and not significantly different from ordinary drinking water. The moment I drank it, I felt its freshness and pleasant smoothness. Especially when drinking it in Medina’s hot climate, its refreshing quality stood out even more. Somehow, drinking the Ghars Well water seemed to ease my travel fatigue and gave me a sense of energy welling up from inside my body.

About Its Benefits

In Islamic tradition, Ghars Well water is believed to have special benefits. Specifically, it is thought to promote health, provide spiritual purification, and even heal illnesses. Historical documents and modern research suggest that this well water contains abundant minerals that may have positive health effects. However, scientific evidence is limited, and this interpretation primarily emphasizes religious and cultural aspects, so please keep this in mind.

Final Thoughts

The water from Ghars Well is beloved by many people not only for its historical and religious value but also for its refreshing taste and health benefits when actually consumed. When visiting Medina, I highly recommend experiencing this sacred well water. Its special taste and benefits will deepen your travel memories and provide a moment that will remain in your heart.