Madinah (Medina) is the second holiest city in Islam and the home of Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque. It lies in the Hejaz about 400 km north of Makkah and is the capital of the Al Madinah region. The city is open to all visitors, but non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque and its marked precinct. This guide covers the mosque district, Quba, Uhud and the other ziyarah sites, where to stay and eat, and how to get around.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Madinah through its food.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Madinah's food scene.
Date farm visit
Palm groves, tastings and Arabic coffee, with hotel transfer.
Hijazi dish tasting tour
Seated tasting of Bukhari rice, mantu and yaghmosh with dates and coffee.
Self-guided market route
Breakfast shops, the Chefs Market and dates markets.
DIY self-guided food tour
Build your own food crawl through Madinah.
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1
Start soon after Fajr with ful and tamees at a Hejazi breakfast shop behind the hotel blocks (shops open around 04:00).
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2
Walk to Kiffa or Row near Gate 333 for coffee and Ajwa cookies mid-morning.
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3
Take a taxi to Souq Al-Tabbakha, the Chefs Market, for manto, yaghmosh or mandi at lunch.
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4
Visit Al-Manakhah or Quba dates markets after Asr to taste Sukkari, Safawi and Ajwa.
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5
Finish at Al Romansiah for mandi or Naseem Haneen for sweets after Maghrib.
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Restaurants close for 20-30 minutes at each prayer; arrive between prayers.
Breakfast shops open around 04:00; dinner runs late, to 01:00-02:00 in many places.
During Ramadan, restaurants open only after sunset and many serve iftar buffets.
All meat is halal; pork and alcohol are not sold anywhere.
Carry small notes for stalls that do not take cards.
Taste dates before buying and ask for sealed, dated boxes for travel.