Al Rashid Mega Mall is Madinah’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, sitting on King Abdullah Road (Second Ring Road) about 10–15 minutes from Masjid an-Nabawi. It spans roughly 140,000 square meters across four floors, with more than 400 stores, a hypermarket, a cinema, an indoor family entertainment center, and a lakeside food court built around an old-style Arab ship replica.

For Umrah pilgrims, Hajj visitors, and families extending their stay in Madinah, the mall has become a natural stop between Ziyarat visits – a place to shop, eat, rest air-conditioned, and let children burn off energy before heading back to the hotel or on to the next holy site. This guide covers everything you need to plan a smooth visit, including how to get there by private taxi.

What Is Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Al Rashid Mega Mall (also written Al-Rashid Mall) is a modern shopping center in Madinah’s Shadhah district, developed as one of the city’s flagship retail and leisure destinations. Quick facts:

• Location: King Abdullah Road, Second Ring Road, Shadhah District, Madinah
• Size: Approximately 140,000 square meters
• Floors: Four – Basement, Ground, First, and Second
• Stores: 400+ retail outlets
• Distance from Masjid an-Nabawi: About 10 minutes by car (roughly 4–5 km)
• Signature feature: An artificial lake with a traditional wooden Arab ship at its center
• Parking: Space for 500+ vehicles
• Connected hotel: Marriott Executive Apartments

Unlike smaller malls closer to the Haram, Al Rashid is designed as a full-day destination – shopping, dining, and entertainment combined, which is why many pilgrims plan a dedicated few hours around it rather than a quick stop.

Where Is Al Rashid Mega Mall Located?

The mall sits on King Abdullah Branch Road (the Second Ring Road), on the eastern side of Madinah in the Shadhah area. If you’re walking from Masjid an-Nabawi, you would head north on King Abdulaziz Street and continue until you reach the King Abdullah Road intersection – a walk of around 20–30 minutes depending on your pace and the heat, which is why most pilgrims prefer a private taxi, especially with shopping bags or children in tow.

Distance and Travel Time From Key Points

From	Approximate Distance	Approximate Travel Time
Masjid an-Nabawi / Central Hotels	4–5 km	10–15 minutes by car
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED)	15–18 km	20–25 minutes by car
Quba Mosque	8–10 km	15–20 minutes by car
Mount Uhud	10–12 km	18–22 minutes by car

These times assume normal traffic. During Ramadan evenings, Hajj season, or right after Maghrib and Isha prayers, traffic around the central Haram area and the ring roads can slow considerably, so it’s worth building in extra time or scheduling your visit outside peak prayer-crowd hours.

Stores, Brands, and Shopping at Al Rashid Mega Mall

The mall’s four floors house a mix of international fashion houses, beauty and cosmetics chains, electronics outlets, and a large hypermarket for grocery and travel essentials.

Popular names shoppers regularly mention include Sephora, Kiko Milano, Calvin Klein, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, Cole Haan, The Body Shop, Victoria’s Secret, Yves Rocher, Marks & Spencer, H&M, LC Waikiki, Guess, and a Carrefour hypermarket for groceries, toiletries, and last-minute Umrah essentials like ihram clothing or travel-size items. This mix means the mall works equally well for a quick pharmacy or grocery run and for a longer fashion and gift-shopping trip.

If you’re shopping for gifts to bring home after Umrah or Hajj, Al Rashid is one of the more convenient one-stop options in Madinah, since you can find perfumes, abayas, dates, and international brand items without visiting several smaller shops around the Haram.

Dining at Al Rashid Mega Mall

The mall’s food court and standalone restaurants cover a wide range, from quick international fast food to more traditional dining:

• Fast food and cafes: McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Domino’s, Tim Hortons, Starbucks
• Sit-down and traditional cuisine: Yemeni, Saudi, and other Middle Eastern restaurant options in the food court, including well-reviewed spots for freshly baked bread and grilled dishes
• Family dining: Tables around the artificial lake area, popular for evening meals with a view of the ship centerpiece

For families visiting after a long day of Ziyarat, the food court is a practical option since it caters to different budgets and tastes in one place, reducing the need to shuttle between separate restaurants.

Entertainment and Family Facilities

Al Rashid Mega Mall is built as much for leisure as for shopping, which makes it a strong choice for families traveling with children:

• Sparky’s – an indoor amusement and play center with rides and games for younger children
• Empire Cinemas – a multi-screen cinema showing current releases
• Fun City play zone – additional children’s play areas noted by several visitors
• The artificial lake and ship – a central photo spot and relaxation area, with a dancing fountain feature in some sections
• Ample parking and wide, accessible corridors for strollers and wheelchairs

Some visitors have noted that certain play areas require a prepaid card (commonly cited around SAR 100) rather than accepting cash per ride, so it’s worth asking at the entertainment counter about payment options before committing children to a play session.

Best Time to Visit Al Rashid Mega Mall

• Mornings on weekdays tend to be quieter, ideal if you want a relaxed shopping experience without large crowds.
• Evenings bring more foot traffic, especially after Maghrib and Isha, when families combine dinner with shopping and the lake area becomes a popular gathering spot.
• During Ramadan, expect the mall to be busiest in the hours after Iftar, continuing late into the night.
• During Hajj season and peak Umrah months, plan your visit outside prayer-time rushes, since transport and parking around Madinah’s ring roads get busier close to Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha.

If your priority is a calm, unhurried shopping trip, a weekday morning or early afternoon visit – before the pre-Maghrib rush – is generally the smoothest option.

Nearby Ziyarat Sites and Attractions

Al Rashid Mega Mall’s location on the Second Ring Road puts it within reasonable driving distance of several important Madinah landmarks, making it easy to combine a Ziyarat itinerary with a shopping stop:

• Masjid an-Nabawi and Rawdah – the central pilgrimage site, about 10–15 minutes away
• Quba Mosque – the first mosque built in Islam
• Masjid al-Qiblatain – the Mosque of the Two Qiblas
• Mount Uhud – site of the historic Battle of Uhud
• Jannat al-Baqi – the historic cemetery adjacent to Masjid an-Nabawi

A common and efficient plan is to schedule Ziyarat visits earlier in the day and end the itinerary at Al Rashid Mega Mall in the late afternoon or evening, so the mall becomes a natural closing stop before returning to the hotel.

How to Get to Al Rashid Mega Mall: Transport Options

Visitors typically reach the mall in one of three ways:

1. Private taxi or chauffeur service – the most comfortable option, especially for families, elderly pilgrims, or anyone carrying shopping bags. A private driver can wait outside while you shop and take you directly back to your hotel or on to your next Ziyarat stop.
2. Public taxi apps – available in Madinah, though wait times and driver familiarity with pilgrim routes can vary.
3. Walking – feasible only from hotels reasonably close to King Abdullah Road, and not practical in Madinah’s heat or with children and shopping bags.

For pilgrims combining a mall visit with Ziyarat or an airport transfer, a private taxi removes the guesswork of navigating unfamiliar roads and avoids the hassle of hailing a return ride from a crowded mall exit.

Getting There With Al Maqam Transport

Al Maqam Transport operates private, non-shared vehicles across Madinah, so you can add an Al Rashid Mega Mall stop to any hotel transfer, Madinah Ziyarat tour, or airport transfer without booking a separate ride. A few practical ways travelers use the service around the mall:

• Hotel-to-mall-and-back: Book a round trip with a waiting period, so your driver is ready when you finish shopping instead of you searching for a return taxi.
• Combined with Ziyarat: Add the mall as a final stop on a Madinah Ziyarat itinerary covering Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatain, and Mount Uhud.
• Family and group travel: For larger families, the Hyundai Staria or Toyota Hiace comfortably seats 7–11 passengers plus luggage and shopping, while solo travelers or couples can book a Toyota Camry.
• Airport connections: If you’re flying out of Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) and want a last shopping stop, a private transfer can route through Al Rashid Mega Mall on the way to your flight, with flight tracking to keep timing safe.

All bookings can be confirmed directly over WhatsApp, with a fixed price agreed before pickup – useful when you’re not sure exactly how long your shopping trip will take.

Practical Tips for Pilgrims and Families

• Carry a printed or saved hotel address in Arabic to show your driver, especially for hotels with similar-sounding names near the Haram.
• Keep prayer times in mind – the mall has designated prayer areas, but plan your shopping around Maghrib and Isha if you prefer to pray at Masjid an-Nabawi itself.
• Ask about entertainment payment methods in advance if visiting with children, since some play areas use prepaid cards rather than cash.
• Bring modest, comfortable clothing appropriate for a mixed local and international shopping environment.
• Confirm your return pickup time with your driver before you start shopping, particularly during busy evening hours when finding an ad-hoc taxi outside the mall can take longer.
• Elderly or mobility-limited travelers should request a vehicle with easier entry, such as an SUV, and let the driver know in advance so they can assist at pickup and drop-off points.

FAQs

Where exactly is Al Rashid Mega Mall located in Madinah?

It’s on King Abdullah Road (Second Ring Road) in the Shadhah district, on the eastern side of Madinah, about 10 minutes by car from Masjid an-Nabawi.

How far is Al Rashid Mega Mall from Masjid an-Nabawi?

Roughly 4–5 kilometers, which takes about 10–15 minutes by private taxi depending on traffic.

How many floors does Al Rashid Mega Mall have?

Four floors: Basement, Ground, First, and Second, with the lake and ship feature on the basement level.

What brands and stores can I find at Al Rashid Mega Mall?

International and regional brands including Sephora, Adidas, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, LC Waikiki, and a Carrefour hypermarket, alongside more than 400 total stores.

Is there a cinema at Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Yes, Empire Cinemas operates inside the mall, showing current film releases.

What entertainment options are available for children?

Sparky’s indoor amusement center and additional play zones are available for children, though some attractions require a prepaid card rather than cash.

Can I walk to Al Rashid Mega Mall from Masjid an-Nabawi?

It’s possible, taking around 20–30 minutes on foot heading north along King Abdulaziz Street, but a private taxi is more comfortable, especially in Madinah’s heat or with shopping bags.

What is the best time to visit Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Weekday mornings or early afternoons are quieter; evenings, especially after Maghrib and during Ramadan, are busiest.

Is parking available at Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Yes, the mall offers parking for more than 500 vehicles.

Are there restaurants and a food court at Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Yes, the mall includes a large food court plus standalone restaurants covering fast food, traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, and international dining.

Which nearby Ziyarat sites can I combine with a visit to Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatain, Mount Uhud, and Jannat al-Baqi are all a reasonable driving distance away, making it easy to combine Ziyarat with a shopping stop.

Can Al Maqam Transport pick me up directly from the mall?

Yes. You can book a private round trip with a waiting driver, or add Al Rashid Mega Mall as a stop on a hotel transfer, Ziyarat tour, or airport transfer via WhatsApp booking.

Is a hotel located near or connected to Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Yes, the Marriott Executive Apartments is connected to the mall, offering nearby accommodation for extended stays.

Do I need a car to visit Al Rashid Mega Mall, or are taxis easily available outside?

Taxis are available, but during busy evening hours, wait times can be long. Booking a private driver in advance, with a confirmed pickup time, avoids the uncertainty of hailing a ride outside the mall.

How much time should I plan for a visit to Al Rashid Mega Mall?

Most visitors spend 2–4 hours for shopping, dining, and entertainment combined, though a quick grocery or gift-shopping stop can take under an hour.