Makkah, Saudi Arabia: travel guide
Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and home to Masjid Al-Haram and the Kaaba
The holiest city in Islam — birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and home to Masjid Al-Haram and the Kaaba, the direction of prayer for 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.
About Makkah
Mecca Province has the city of Mecca as its capital, in western Saudi Arabia. The official name of the city is Makkah al-Mukarramah. It stands inland, about 70 km from Jeddah, at an elevation of roughly 277 metres.
Mecca is regarded as Islam's birthplace and the holiest city of the faith. The Kaaba, which Muslims everywhere face when they pray, is housed in the Great Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). Near the city is the Cave of Hira, which Muslims regard as the site of the Quran's first revelation to Muhammad. Every year the Hajj draws great numbers of pilgrims.
In 1925 the Hejaz came under Saudi conquest, and since then Mecca has grown a great deal. A few historic sites, the Ajyad Fortress among them, were demolished, mostly to clear space for larger mosques.
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Currency
- SAR
- Time zone
- Asia/Riyadh
- Typical trip
- 3-4 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Makkah
Masjid Al-Haram
Grand Mosque · 5.0 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's largest mosque and the holiest site in Islam, encircling the Kaaba — the cubic structure draped in black silk that Muslims worldwide face during prayer. The mosque can accommodate up to 4 million worshippers simultaneously…
Jabal Al-Nour & Cave of Hira
Sacred Mountain · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred mountain where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first revelation of the Quran in the Cave of Hira in 610 CE. A challenging 1.5-km climb with 1,652 steps to the summit. The cave is small but profoundly significant — one of the…
Mount Arafah (Jabal Ar-Rahmah)
Pilgrimage Site · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The "Mountain of Mercy" — the site where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his Farewell Sermon (Khutbah Al-Wada) to 100,000 companions on 9 Dhul Hijjah. Standing on Arafah (Wuquf) is the most essential rite of Hajj — without it, the Hajj is…
Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower
Skyscraper/Hotel Complex · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's second-tallest building (601 m) and largest hotel complex, rising directly opposite the Masjid Al-Haram. The iconic four-faced clock is the world's largest, visible from 25 km. The complex contains a hotel, a Hajj-themed…
Safa and Marwa Hills
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Two small hills within Masjid Al-Haram between which pilgrims perform Sa'i (7 walks back and forth).
Masjid Aisha (Tan'eem Mosque)
mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Major Miqat mosque 7 km north of Makkah — common point where pilgrims enter ihram for a new Umrah.
Zamzam Well Chamber
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Underground source of Zamzam water within Masjid Al-Haram — water freely distributed to all pilgrims.
Mina Tent City
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Vast Hajj pilgrimage tent city 5 km east of Masjid Al-Haram — used by 2+ million pilgrims annually during Hajj.
Jamarat Bridge
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Multi-level bridge in Mina where Hajj pilgrims perform the stoning of the devil ritual (Rami al-Jamarat).
Souq Al-Aziziyah
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Major retail and dining district 4 km east of Haram — affordable shopping, restaurants, malls, pilgrim supplies.
King Fahd Gate (Masjid Al-Haram)
mosque · 4.9 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest entry gates to Masjid Al-Haram on the King Fahd Expansion side — main entry for many pilgrims.
Jabal Thawr (Cave of Thawr)
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Mountain south of Makkah with the Cave of Thawr where Prophet Muhammad hid for 3 days during the Hijra to Madinah.
Things to do
- Jabal Al-Nour Cave of Hira Visit Heritage · 2 h
- Abraj Al-Bait Museum Tour Heritage · 1.5 h · from SAR 18 per person
- Jabal al-Nour (Hira Cave) Hiking Excursion Heritage · 3 h
- Jabal Thawr Guided Excursion Heritage · 2.5 h
- Makkah Royal Clock Tower Viewing Deck Activity · 1 h · from SAR 100 per person
Where to stay in Makkah
- Ajyad & Abraj Al-Bait Zone about SAR 36,000 per night
Closest to Masjid Al-Haram — 2 to 5 min walk. Best for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims needing proximity to Kaaba.
- Aziziyah about SAR 6,750 per night
Larger apartments 2 to 4 km from Haram. Affordable, popular with families and group pilgrims.
Hotels
- Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower 5-star · INR 36,000 to INR 135,000 per night
- Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 54,000 per night
- Hilton Suites Makkah 5-star
- Swissotel Al Maqam Makkah 5-star
- Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel 5-star
Where to eat
- Al Barakah Restaurant Saudi, Hejazi, Middle Eastern · about SAR 34 per person
- Fairmont Clock Tower Restaurant International, Middle Eastern, Arabic · about SAR 225 per person
- Al Tazaj Al Rasheed Court saudi, fast_food · about SAR 32 per person
- Al Baik Aziziyah fast_food, saudi · about SAR 32 per person
Getting to Makkah
Nearest airport: Taif (TIF), about 72 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Makkah
- Haramain High Speed Railway to Makkah station By train from Jeddah / Madinah · common
Haramain trains serve Makkah, Jeddah Sulaimaniyah, Jeddah airport, KAEC and Madinah. Source: sar.hhr.sa
- Fly to Jeddah (JED), then road or Haramain train By air from Jeddah · common
Jeddah's King Abdulaziz airport is the main gateway, with its own Haramain station. Source: sar.hhr.sa
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced ZamZam Water
Near Masjid Al-Haram gates
Vendors sell small ZamZam bottles at 3 to 5x the official price to pilgrims.
How to avoid it: ZamZam water is freely available inside Masjid Al-Haram coolers. Do not pay for it outside.
Unlicensed Pilgrim Guides
Near Haram, Makkah
Unofficial guides offer to help pilgrims then demand payment at the end.
How to avoid it: Use only licensed Mutawwif arranged through your Hajj/Umrah operator.
Best time to visit Makkah
- Jan 31°C
- Feb 33°C
- Mar 35°C
- Apr 39°C
- May 42°C
- Jun 44°C
- Jul 43°C
- Aug 43°C
- Sep 43°C
- Oct 40°C
- Nov 36°C
- Dec 33°C
More in Saudi Arabia
Frequently asked questions about Makkah
- How many days do you need in Makkah?
- A typical trip to Makkah is 3-4 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Makkah?
- The highest-rated places in our Makkah guide are Masjid Al-Haram, Jabal Al-Nour & Cave of Hira, Mount Arafah (Jabal Ar-Rahmah), Safa and Marwa Hills, Zamzam Well Chamber.
- Where should I stay in Makkah?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Makkah: Ajyad & Abraj Al-Bait Zone, Aziziyah.
- How do I get around Makkah?
- Ways to get around Makkah covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Makkah?
- Scams reported to us for Makkah include Overpriced ZamZam Water; Unlicensed Pilgrim Guides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Makkah?
- Average daytime highs in Makkah run from 31°C in Jan to 44°C in Jun.