Medina Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Medina Shopping 

Located in the interior of Saudi Arabia, Medina is one of the country’s most popular shopping destinations. Look for the large malls offering the latest in modern goods along with local specialties such as dates.

Modern and Ancient Shopping Locations

Medina attracts many people each year. Those who want to explore the local culture can find many things to eat and bring home with them. Medina is home to many markets including modern malls and ancient gathering spots.

Things to Eat 

This is a city of deserts but it’s also one where there are several areas that are lush and fertile. Locals take full advantage of the soil to grow lots of special varieties of fruit that are then dried such as apricots and raisins. Start with herbs. You’ll find dozens of types of fresh herbs such as mint and oregano in many markets across the city.  Peanuts are also highly popular here along with many kinds of nuts such as pistachios and almonds. Look for them roasted from street vendors. Perhaps the most popular type of food sold in the markets here are the dates. There’s even a specific market devoted to them. Dates are much used in many local dishes. Hit the markets early in the morning for the best selection. Dates are sold by the kilo. Some of the most popular types are the Madina Ajwa, Kalas and Sukkari.

Taiba Commercial Center, Al Noor Mall and Rashed Mall

The Taiba commercial center is home to a mall offering all sorts of items. There’s a Bin Dawood supermarket that has many fresh produce as well as lots of takeout food. Those who are looking for religious items can find them here along with clothing and textiles. Another place to find high quality goods is the Al Noor Mall. The largest mall in Medina, Al Noor is geared towards the needs of families. You’ll find a large food court and an indoor playground for the little ones to enjoy. Free parking is right next to the mall so you don’t need to circle the area looking a place to park. Another large mall in the area is the Rashad Mall. Rashed has some of largest stores in the country. Those who love variety will find here. Look for upscale shops as well with goods from around the world.

Open Markets 

Another popular local shopping excursion are to the open air markets in the city. Protected from the sun, the markets have many kinds of goods at cheap prices.This is a good place to buy comfortable shoes as well as many kinds of religious items. The Old Bazaar is where you can find many small merchants who have made a family business of selling their wars for generations. They sell items such as perfume made from local oils and homemade prepared foods as well as fresh produce.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about shopping in Medina.