19 Mar 2024
20 Mar 2024
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Known as the Cradle of Humanity and featuring Al Masjid Al Haram, Makkah is the Holiest City for Muslims and is located in the Makkah Province.

Places to Visit in Makkah

Known as the Cradle of Humanity and featuring Al Masjid Al Haram, Makkah is the Holiest City for Muslims and is located in the Makkah Province.

Destinations in The Makkah Province

Explore other cities of Saudi Arabia

Abha
Al Bahah
Khobar
Al Ula
Buraydah
Dammam
Ha'il
Jazan
Jeddah
Jubail
Madinah
Makkah
Najran area
Riyadh
Tabuk
Taif
Yanbu

An Introduction to Makkah

The Holy City of Makkah (Mecca) is Birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of God Be Upon Him) and Islam. It is the Holiest City for Muslims and believers from all over the world visit Makkah to perform pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah) and visit the Holy sites. The most prominent landmark on earth - The Holy Kaaba (Ka’bah) is located in Makkah. It serves as the religious centre for Muslims and they pray five times a day by facing the direction of the Kaaba.

 

There is no shortage of Holy places to visit in Makkah city. Some of the most visited sites include the Makkah MuseumMasjid Al JinnAl Masjid Al HaramJannat al-Mu'alla CemetryMount ArafatMina Tented CityJamarat Bridge, and Jabal Al Nour. Makkah is also home to some extraordinary architecture like the Abraj Al Bait Towers (The Clock Towers). This complex of seven skyscrapers also includes the Makkah Royal Clock Tower which houses the five star Fairmont Makkah hotel. It features the world’s largest clock face and the tower is the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

The History of Makkah

The History of Makkah can be traced back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim, Peace & Blessing of God Be Upon Him (PBUH). The Prophet Ibrahim along with his son Prophet Ismail (PBUH), built the Holy Ka’bah as the House of Allah. Even in pre-Islamic times, it used to be the main pilgrimage site and a location of high significance. Makkah is also recorded as being an important trading hub in ancient times.

 

The Year of the Elephant (570 CE) is another noteworthy chapter in the history of the city. According to the Holy Quran, Abraha descended upon Makkah with an army of elephants but Allah sent small birds carrying stones in their beaks to defend the Holy Ka’bah. These small birds destroyed the elephant army and caused Abraha’s defeat. According to Islamic tradition, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessengs of God Be Upon Him) was born in the same year.

Geography of Makkah

Makkah lies in a relatively low-lying area. It is surrounded by the Sirat Mountains. The Jabal Al Noor is in the northeast of the city. This peak contains the cave of Hira where the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the south of the city is Mount Thawr where The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) concealed himself in a cave during the Hijrah (migration) to Madinah.

 

The harsh desert conditions are evident in Makkah. The temperatures remain high throughout the year. The vast desert landscape surrounds the city of Makkah and you truly get to appreciate the vastness of the desert as you travel out of the city centre.

Makkah Hotels and Restaurants

Being Islam's Holiest City, only Muslims are allowed within the city of Makkah. Muslims from all over the world frequent the city for Umrah pilgrimage and the Hajj pilgrimage which is mandatory for every able Muslim once in a lifetime. 

 

The city of Makkah is a perfect blend of rich, centuries-old culture and traditions along with modern architecture and a lively way of life. You can find old souks as well as skyscrapers that are reaching for the clouds. You can also visit museums like the Makkah Museum and the Clock Tower Museum which occupies the top four floors of the Abraj Al Bait Towers.  [Note: The Clock Tower Museum is temporarily closed].

 

The city has seen massive modernization and expansion throughout recent years. However, amidst the modern architecture and sky-high buildings, you can also find some portions of the old city to go with Makkah’s historical places. You can find many Makkah Hotels near the Haram including several five star Hilton hotals located in Jabal Omar including:

 

 

Anjum Hotel Makkah is a very polular local five star hotel located a few minutes walk from Al Masjid Al Haram. The new Address Hotel in Jabal Omar is also due to open shortly to the public, Insha'Allah.

Popular Attractions in Makkah

The focal point of the city is ofcourse, The Grand Mosque of Makkah, also known as Al Masjid Al Haram. Several of the Holy sites like The Kaaba, Maqam Ibrahim and the mountains of Safa and Marwa are located inside Grand Mosque.

 

Sites like Mount ArafatMina Tented CityJamarat Bridge, and Jabal Al Nour are a short ride away from the Al Masjid Al Haram complex.

 

You can also find a great selection, Makkah Restaurants and cafes around Al Masjid Al Haram and further out.  Al Baik, Al Tazaj and Romansia are popular fast food restaurants in Makkah.  You can find many well knows fast food restaurants in The Clock Tower Malls (Abraj Al Bait). However, if you like find dining try  Mado Turkish Restaurant in Jabal Omar, next to the five star Hyatt Regency Makkah hotel.

 

Once you have visited the holy sites of the city, you can also venture out to the huge shopping malls in the city. Staying in the ultra-luxury Abraj Al Bait Towers (The Clock Towers) is also an experience worth having. It contains several five star hotels including Swissotel Makkah and Pullman Zamzam Makkah. With such a huge Clock Face, The Clock Towers can help you keep informed about the Makkah payer times.

 

For people interested in learning more about the culture and history, the ‘Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques’ offers a great educational journey through the various stages of the development of the Al Masjid Al Haram as well as the Masjid An Nabawi in Madinah.


If you are in the mood for adventure, the nearby city of Taif also offers a great retreat from the intense desert heat and crowds of the city. The road to Taif itself is a sight worth seeing when you’re visiting places in Makkah during your visit to Saudi Arabia.

Makkah