Madinah date farms and the date market

Dates in Madinah

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed for blessing in the food of Madinah. The Saudi Press Agency says Ajwa and Safawi lead the sales at Madinah’s Central Date Market. Madinah dates are a source of local pride, and many pilgrims buy dates to give to family.

The varieties you will hear about most often:

• Ajwa. Small, dark and soft. It is the best known and usually the most expensive.
• Safawi. Dark and long, less sweet than Sukkari. Many people like it as much as Ajwa, and it costs less.
• Sukkari. Golden and very sweet. The name means “sugary”.
• Mabroom and Anbara. Larger dates, often sold as gift boxes.

A commercial guide that we checked (Wadana Go) describes these varieties in similar terms. Taste before you buy a large box, because price differences between grades are big.

We do not give religious guidance about dates. For questions about the reward linked to certain dates, ask a scholar.

Date farms

Farms sit on the edges of the city, for example in the Al-Awali and Quba direction. Many are family farms with a small shop attached. A visit usually means a walk among the palms, an explanation of how the dates grow, and a tasting, often with Arabic coffee.

What to expect:

• Prices. Prices vary a lot by variety and grade. Ask for the price per kilo before you fill a bag.
• Time. A stop of about 20 to 30 minutes is usual for a tasting and a purchase.

The central date market

The central date market (Souq al-Tumur) is a large market selling dates by variety and grade, along with syrup, paste, nuts and honey. The Saudi Press Agency refers to it as the place where Ajwa and Safawi lead sales.

Practical tips:

• Compare stalls. Walk past three or four before buying.
• Ask for a taste. Sellers usually offer one.
• Carrying dates home. A box adds weight and space. Tell us how many boxes you plan to buy, because it changes which vehicle fits for the rest of the tour.

Practical notes

• Go after Fajr or after Asr. Midday in summer is very hot, and palm groves have shade but no breeze.
• Bring small notes. Cash in SAR is easier at small farm shops.
• Check airline rules for liquids and weights. Rules differ by airline and by country, especially for syrups and large boxes.
• Wheelchairs. A folding wheelchair travels in the Staria or Hiace boot at no extra charge, and the driver helps the passenger into a seat. Tell us before booking if the passenger cannot leave the wheelchair.
• Children. Farms are a good break for children between the religious sites on the tour.

Which of our tours includes the dates stop

• Two hour ziyarat. A date farm stop is optional and adds about 20 minutes. The fare is the same, and extra time beyond the two hours is charged at the hourly rate.
• Four hour full ziyarat. A date market or date farm stop is part of the tour, with the other places on the page Madinah ziyarat taxi.

Fares are for the whole vehicle, return included. Dates you buy are paid for at the farm or the market, not to us. You pay the driver at the end, with no deposit and no booking fee. See the ziyarat hub for other places.