Al Madinah Province in western Saudi Arabia combines Madinah, the city of the Prophet's Mosque, with AlUla's UNESCO-listed Hegra, the Red Sea port of Yanbu, and early Islamic sites at Badr, Khaybar and Uhud. This guide covers sights, hotels, food, access rules for non-Muslims and getting around.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Ajwa dates
Dark, soft dates grown around Madinah, the city's signature gift.
Price: SAR 40-150 per kg (~$11-40) (estimate)
Where: Dates Market Madinah, date shops in Badaah
Boxed Arabic sweets
Date-filled pastries and Arabic sweets in gift boxes.
Price: SAR 20-80 (~$5-21) (estimate)
Where: Ana Almedina Sweets, Kaki Bakeries and Sweets
Prayer beads and prayer mats
Tasbeeh beads and prayer mats, widely sold around the Prophet's Mosque district.
Price: SAR 10-150 (~$3-40) (estimate)
Where: Shops in Badaah and the malls
Oud and attar perfume oils
Alcohol-free perfume oils and oud, sold in small shops and malls.
Price: SAR 30-1000 (~$8-267) (estimate)
Where: Al-Noor Mall and the shops of Badaah
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Dates Market Madinah
The city's main dates market, selling dates by weight and in gift boxes. Vendors usually allow tasting before purchase.
Where: An Naqa, central Madinah
Al Madina for Dates
A date and sweets shop in Qurban, south of the centre.
Where: Qurban, Madinah
Al Rauda Al Mubarakah for Dates
One of several date shops on the streets of Badaah near the Prophet's Mosque area.
Where: Badaah, Madinah
Madinah International Market
A multi-shop market on Sultanah Road, the main shopping and dining strip of northwest Madinah.
Where: Ar Rayah, Madinah
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Sultanah Road
The main commercial road of northwest Madinah, with Madinah International Market, restaurants and fast-food branches.
Best for: Dining, general shopping
Badaah district
Streets such as Zaid ibn Thabit and Abi Dhar al-Ghafari, packed with date shops, small restaurants and supermarkets near the Prophet's Mosque area.
Best for: Dates, prayer items, perfume
King Abdullah Road (2nd Ring Road)
The ring road carries Al-Noor Mall, Al Rashed Mall, Al Manar Mall and Hassan Mall.
Best for: Malls and brand stores
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Al-Noor Mall
A three-floor mall near the Administrative Court: brand stores on the first floor, restaurants on the second and a prayer hall on the third. Published hours are 10:00-23:00 daily.
Al Rashed Mall
A large mall on the 2nd Ring Road with a food court, cinema and children's play area.
Al Manar Mall
A shopping mall on the western side of the 2nd Ring Road.
Alqarrat Mall
A mall on Othman Bin Affan Road in Ar Rayah.
Mazaia Mall
A mall on King Fahd Road between the centre and Mount Uhud.
Hassan Mall
A mall on the northeastern 2nd Ring Road.
J Walk
A retail and cafe complex on Prince Naif Road in western Madinah.
Qurban Mall
A smaller mall on Prince Abdul Mohsen Road.
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in malls and supermarkets are fixed.
Small date and perfume shops accept polite negotiation, particularly when buying several boxes.
Ask for a taste of dates before buying.
Compare two or three shops for oud, since quality and price vary widely.
Pay by card where possible; mada and Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted, and cash is useful for small shops.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Alcohol and pork products are prohibited; dates and sweets may be inspected at the airport.
Tax Refund: Saudi VAT is 15%. A tourist VAT refund scheme has been announced by ZATCA; check the current rules at zatca.gov.sa before relying on it.
Duty Free: Alcohol is prohibited.
Shipping: Saudi Post offices and mall courier counters can ship parcels abroad.