A Night Stroll on Quba Front: Medina’s Trendiest Street and Local-Style Chillout Experience

Can you imagine what the night streets of holy Medina are like? Today, I’ll be reporting on “Quba Front,” a popular nightspot among locals. In Saudi Arabia, people’s real day actually begins after sunset.

Saudi Arabian Lifestyle Rhythm – Why People Come Alive at Night

During the Saudi Arabian summer, daytime temperatures easily exceed 45°C (113°F). It’s not uncommon for temperatures to approach 50°C (122°F). In this scorching country, people have established a wise lifestyle rhythm. They spend the daytime indoors, and as the sun begins to set in the evening, the streets gradually come alive.

Particularly after Asr prayer (afternoon prayer), one of the five daily prayers, the city rapidly revives. People who have spent the long afternoon in air-conditioned buildings venture outside seeking the cool night air.

Quba Front: Medina’s New Face

“Quba Front” is a roughly 2-kilometer street connecting the Prophet’s Mosque to Quba Mosque. Although it’s a relatively new street that was developed recently, it has now become an indispensable gathering place for the people of Medina.

Venturing Out for an Evening Stroll

On this day too, people who finished the Asr prayer streamed out of the Prophet’s Mosque. Men wearing white or beige thobes (traditional garments), women dressed in black abayas. I allowed myself to be carried along with this flow of people toward Quba Front.

What catches your eye at the entrance to the street is a giant stone monument. Called the “Ayatul Kursi Monument,” it is decorated with Arabic in Kufic script, a geometric font. The mysterious characters illuminated by nighttime lighting are like a gateway inviting you into the world of Arabian Nights. It has become a popular photo spot among tourists as well.

The Charm of Ordinary Local Vibrancy

As you walk toward Quba Mosque, the street begins to take on the appearance of a lively shopping area. What you see here are ordinary shops. You won’t find luxury brand boutiques lined up. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, it becomes a charming place where you can glimpse the natural lifestyle of local people.

Saudi Arabian men and women who have finished their prayers leisurely browse the shops. Young women examine scarves and fashion accessories, while families stop in front of children’s clothing and toy stores.

However, if you walk leisurely in the middle of the road, there can be some startling moments. Tour vehicles rush through the street as if to say, “Out of the way!” Local people pass by the cars with practiced ease, but for me as a tourist, it was quite a thrilling experience.

An Unexpected Encounter: The Temptation of Yemeni Cuisine

The restaurant I entered when tired from walking happened to be a Yemeni restaurant. The Fahsa I ordered arrived at an unexpectedly hot temperature. It’s a lamb-based stew-like dish, but with a distinctive flavor that has a certain bitterness. At first, I was hesitant, but as I continued eating, I found myself surprisingly enjoying it.

According to the restaurant owner, because there are many migrant workers from various countries in this area, you can enjoy cuisines from across the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen is currently a country difficult to visit even if you wanted to, so encountering authentic Yemeni cuisine here was thrilling. The multicultural food environment unique to Medina is one of the charms of this street.

The Art of Saudi Arabian Relaxation

On my way back toward the Prophet’s Mosque, I found myself stopping at the grassy plaza in Quba Square. Everywhere were people sitting or lying down. Groups of three or five young people chatting together. Families enjoying nighttime picnics. People relaxing while looking at their smartphones. You can see various ways of spending time.

I also sat down on the grass and took a break while drinking “Sobia,” a Saudi fermented beverage. The refreshing night breeze was pleasant, and the laughter of people heard from a distance warmed my heart. This is the golden time for the people of Saudi Arabia. I felt like I was able to share a special moment that can only be experienced at night.

The New Medina Night Woven by Tradition and Innovation

The evening stroll at Quba Front became a luxurious experience to learn about modern Saudi Arabia. People who cherish Islamic traditions while seeking new ways to spend their leisure time. The smiles of young people and historic buildings. In that contrast, I could see the “present” of changing Saudi Arabia.

If you have a chance to visit Medina, I highly recommend going to Quba Front after Asr prayer. In the new Saudi Arabian way of spending the night, you’ll find discoveries that are a bit different from the Middle Eastern night you might have imagined.

【Tips for Visiting】

– Recommended time is after Asr prayer (around 6 PM in summer)
– Walk on the sidewalk and be careful of cars
– A light jacket is useful (nights can be surprisingly cool)
– Be considerate of others when taking photos