Medina, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#145
,
Nomad Score:
53%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Medina is one of the holiest cities in Islam, known for being the burial place of Prophet Muhammad. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1.3 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Saudi Riyal (SAR). Approximate exchange rate is 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable, bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is supplied at 230V, 60Hz, with Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | STC, Mobily, and Zain are popular mobile providers. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards are widely accepted, and banks like Al Rajhi and Samba are common. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, serviced apartments, and Airbnb. Prices range from 150 SAR to 800 SAR per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, mobile payments and cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and short-term leasing websites offer various options from 300 SAR per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Al Shurooq Hotel starting at 100 SAR per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The area near the Prophet's Mosque is preferred, offering easy access to major attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Al Aman District features modern amenities, coworking spaces, and a vibrant community. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Baqi Workspace offers dedicated spaces for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Nescafé provides a great atmosphere for working with reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check local Facebook groups for expat meetups and tech events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Monthly gatherings at the Mohammed Abdul Wahab Cultural Center. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem and Uber are widely used for local transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited; however, local bike services may be available in popular areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Yanbu Beach is about 200 km away, accessible by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Flynas provides good connections to cities within Saudi Arabia. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Saudi Arabian Airlines offers international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Medina is accessible via the Airport Highway and Madinah-Ha'il Road. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Medina has a train station connecting to Jeddah and Riyadh. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus fares are relatively low at around 2 SAR per trip. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and cars are the best options for traveling to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | King Fahd Hospital offers quality healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Shams Health and Wellness Center provides yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Time and Gold's Gym are popular choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | The Clean Laundry Co. offers quick and affordable laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Talabat and HungerStation are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Mandi, a traditional Saudi rice dish with lamb or chicken. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Environment Café offers a range of veggie-friendly dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Al Baik is famous for its delicious fried chicken and sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Al Noor Mall food court offers affordable local eats. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Souq.com and Noon provide a variety of products online. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tamimi and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Medina is more conservative with limited nightlife options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Alcohol is prohibited in Medina; explore local juices and sodas instead. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not applicable due to local laws. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors offer dishes like Shawarma and Falafel at affordable prices. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | KFC and Pizza Hut are popular international options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Prophet's Mosque and Quba Mosque are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Medina Museum showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Uhud Mountain is a significant historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Qiblatain Mosque is a must-see for its historical significance. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Medina hosts the International Book Fair annually, attracting global authors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Al-Masjid an-Nabawi area is vibrant with cultural experiences. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Performances are typically held at local cultural centers. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Medina Souk offers a traditional shopping experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events are rare due to cultural norms. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Not commonly found; however, cultural depictions can be seen in public areas. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking classes focus on traditional Saudi cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Limited; however, local cultural centers feature rotating exhibits. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Al-Baqi Cemetery and various old mosques showcase Medina's heritage. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Medina's rich Islamic heritage is celebrated in various festivals throughout the year. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Wadi Qanat Park offers nature trails and scenic views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Ta'if National Park is about 90 km away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Gardens around the Prophet's Mosque provide peaceful walking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The views from Uhud Mountain are stunning. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Al-Madinah parks are good spots for casual birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Not applicable due to local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Aramex provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in Al-Masjid area offer phone and gadget repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers sometimes have recreational facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Courses at local language centers focus on Arabic. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Library of the Islamic University offers study spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Islamic Cultural Center hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Limited; most gaming happens in private settings. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not applicable; gambling is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = SAR 240,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = SAR 180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = SAR 330,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = SAR 252,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 4,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = SAR 392,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = SAR 304,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Saudi Arabia does not impose personal income tax, but there are fees on foreign transactions. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No CFC provisions applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property taxation in the traditional sense. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% on property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% personal income tax is advantageous for digital nomads. |