As you exit the main exhibit area and you walk outside there is a nice open garden. It is quite small and has some benches to sit down. Besides the benches there are two small stalls with vendors selling various souvenir / gift items, similar to any shop to be honest.
There were two stalls that were open when I was there. One stall was manned by a young brother who spoke fluent English. The other by a slight older gentlemen who did smile and was very hospitable although he did not speak English. His stall sold prayer beads and oud – perfume.
The other stall had more glass figurines and arabic plaques etc. You know the ones you can get at any souvenir shop depicting the big ben or eiffel tower for example. Well I purchased a small glass based figurine of the Ka’bah and the clock tower. I was always going to buy this type of souvenir and given the peaceful setting where I was and the courteousness of the vendors I thought let me just buy it here.
I’m really glad I did as my mum loved it and out of all my travels, it’s the only souvenir she’s left in our living room to showcase. All the other stuff, I collected a while ago to take to my room as my mum complained about them. Probably the dust!
The price originally was SAR 50 but the vendor very kindly decided to give me a discount and only charged me SAR 45. I was very grateful and said Assalamu-Alaikum to both of them before sitting on the benches for a few seconds to pack the item in my drawstring bag and drink a bit of water.
The museum is lovely. It’s not a big museum, but a very peaceful place with interesting artefacts which include a piece of the kiswa (the covering of the Ka’bah) as well as a display of the key to the holy Ka’bah. Things you don’t see everyday, so well worth going if you’re in Madinah.
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