Central Dates Market (Souq Al-Tumur Al-Markazi)

Central Dates Market, known in Arabic as Souq Al-Tumur Al-Markazi, is the principal dates market of Madinah in Saudi Arabia's Al Madinah region. It sits on Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Road in the Al Naqa area, south of Masjid an-Nabawi and a short taxi ride from the hotels around the mosque. Unlike a general souvenir bazaar, it is a specialist market: row after row of shops devoted almost entirely to dates, with Ajwa, Sukkari and Mabroom varieties, dates stuffed or coated for gifting, packed gift boxes, and a supporting range of roasted nuts. Because the goods are an everyday food staple as well as a pilgrim keepsake, the ratio of authentic product to tourist trinkets is high, and most stock is genuine local or regional produce sold by weight. Ajwa, the variety most associated with Madinah, is the premium item at roughly SAR 40-120 per kilogram depending on grade and size, while Sukkari is usually SAR 20-40 per kilogram (estimates). Quality varies between shops, so sampling is normal and expected; vendors routinely offer a taste before a purchase, and buying in bulk of about 5-10 kg often brings a discount. Bargaining is mild rather than theatrical: asking for a better price on larger quantities is accepted, but small purchases are generally close to the quoted price. Cash in Saudi riyals is always accepted, and many larger shops take cards, though smaller stalls may prefer cash. Visitors should note that Saudi Arabia's VAT refund scheme for tourists applies only at participating retailers, so shoppers should ask before expecting a refund on date purchases. The atmosphere is busy and informal, particularly in the evenings and after prayers, with families and pilgrims buying gifts to carry home. Shops close briefly at prayer times, so the market feels paused for short stretches several times a day. There is no single food court; refreshments are mostly limited to the coffee and date offerings that vendors share with customers, and nearby cafes and restaurants serve meals. For layout, the main appeal is the concentration of competing date shops along the same frontage, which lets visitors compare grades, prices and packaging within a few minutes' walk. Shops that pack dates in sealed boxes or vacuum bags suit travellers flying home, since the packaging is designed to survive luggage handling.