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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Dates (Ajwa, Sukkari, Mabroom, Medjool)
Madinah is known for Ajwa dates; Sukkari, Mabroom and Medjool are also sold, loose or in gift boxes.
Price: Ajwa SAR 40-120 per kg (~$11-32); Sukkari SAR 20-40 per kg (~$5-11) (estimate)
Where: Central Dates Market, Quba Market, Bateel at Al Noor Mall
Oud, attar and bakhoor
Concentrated oils, oud chips and incense are sold in perfume shops and malls.
Price: SAR 40-3,000+ (~$11-800+) (estimate)
Where: Abdul Samad Al Qurashi and Swiss Arabian at Al Noor Mall, perfume shops near Masjid an-Nabawi
Prayer rugs, rosaries (misbaha) and Quran copies
Portable rugs, bead strings and printed Qurans in many languages.
Price: SAR 10-300 (~$3-80) (estimate)
Where: Small shops near Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Market, Al Noor Mall
Abayas, thobes and modest clothing
Abayas, thobes, prayer outfits and children's Islamic wear are sold in malls and street shops.
Price: Abaya SAR 80-600 (~$21-160) (estimate)
Where: Al Noor Mall, Al Rashid Mega Mall, shops near the mosque
Stuffed and chocolate-covered dates
Dates filled with nuts or covered in chocolate, packed as gifts.
Price: SAR 60-400 per box (~$16-107) (estimate)
Where: Bateel at Al Noor Mall, Central Dates Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Central Dates Market (Souq Al-Tumur Al-Markazi)
The main wholesale-style dates market, with many dedicated date shops; sampling is normal and bulk purchases of 5-10 kg often get a discount.
Where: South of Masjid an-Nabawi, a short taxi ride from central hotels
Hours: Typically late morning to about 22:00; closes briefly at prayer times (verify)
Quba Market
Narrow lanes of small shops beside Quba Mosque, convenient to combine with a Quba visit.
Where: Quba, south of the city centre
Hours: Typically daytime to evening; closes briefly at prayer times (verify)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Around Masjid an-Nabawi (Bada'ah)
Small shops for prayer goods, perfume, dates and clothing within walking distance of the mosque; prices are higher than in the markets.
Best for: Last-minute gifts and prayer goods
Central Dates Market district
Dedicated date shops south of the city centre; compare two or three shops before buying.
Best for: Ajwa and other dates
Quba
Market lanes beside Quba Mosque with dates, perfume and religious books.
Best for: Souvenirs combined with a mosque visit
King Abdullah Road malls
Al Noor Mall and Al Rashid Mega Mall have air-conditioned fixed-price shopping and food courts.
Best for: Brand shopping and family meals
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Al Noor Mall
Madinah's most popular mall, with stores including Bateel, Abdul Samad Al Qurashi and Swiss Arabian, restaurants such as Al Baik, Herfy, Kudu and KFC, and a prayer hall. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus red route stops here.
Hours: Saturday-Thursday 10:00-23:30; Friday from 14:00 (verify; phone +966 9200 00262)
Al Rashid Mega Mall
Large mall with about 125 shops, an artificial lake and fountains; described as the second largest in Madinah.
Hours: Mall hours, typically until about 23:00 (verify)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is normal in small shops and markets; mall brand stores have fixed prices.
At the dates market, ask the price per kg before tasting, then ask for a discount on several kilos.
Taste from the batch you will buy and ask the seller to pack from that batch.
Compare two or three shops before buying; shops nearest the mosque quote higher prices.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shops close for about 20-30 minutes at each of the five prayers; plan purchases between prayers., Saudi Arabia charges 15 percent VAT; a tourist VAT refund exists only at participating retailers, so small market shops rarely offer it., Pack loose dates in sealed, labelled bags in checked luggage; date syrup counts as a liquid for cabin limits. Check airline and destination customs rules before flying.