Souq Al Tumur (Dates Market)

Souq Al Tumur, the dates market, sits in the central markets area of south-west Makkah in Saudi Arabia, close to the fruit and vegetable market, and operates in a wholesale style that sets it apart from the hotel gift shops around Masjid al-Haram. The main goods are dates sold loose or in boxes by the kilogram, together with fruit and vegetables in bulk. Popular varieties include Sukkari, Ajwa, Khalas, Safawi and Mabroom, and stalls often let customers taste before buying. Because the market serves traders and local households, prices are typically lower than in hotel-district shops; the guide range is about SAR 20-150 per kilogram depending on variety and grade, with Ajwa at the upper end. Vendor quality varies by stall, so visitors benefit from comparing freshness, moisture, size and packing across several stalls. Unlike the tourist souvenir areas, almost everything here is genuine produce rather than trinkets, though packaged gift boxes aimed at pilgrims are also sold. Bargaining is normal, particularly for larger quantities, and sellers often reduce the per-kilogram price for purchases of several kilograms. Cash in riyals is the standard payment method at most stalls, as card machines are uncommon in open market settings, and tourist VAT refunds are not generally available for stall purchases. The atmosphere is busy, practical and noisy, with porters, delivery vehicles and local shoppers, and it is at its liveliest in the early morning when fresh stock arrives. Food options within the market itself are limited to juice sellers and small snack stalls, so visitors often eat in nearby neighbourhood restaurants. The layout is a cluster of date stalls and wholesale shops rather than a tidy hall, and the must-visit corners are the stalls with open sacks and trays of Ajwa and Sukkari where tasting is offered. Visitors who plan to carry dates home can ask the seller to vacuum-pack or box them, which also helps with airline luggage handling and keeps the fruit fresh during travel.