Mecca or Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, located in the western desert region of Saudi Arabia. This holiest city in Islam attracts millions of people from different corners of the world as they come here for the Hajj.,. Apart from its spirituality, Makkah has much more to offer from historic sites to iconic museums, and more. This place is a dream destination for Muslims to visit at least once in their lifetime. As it is sacred, only Muslims are allowed to enter the city.
From the interesting sites to local delicacies, our guide will allow you to maximize your whole journey. Whether a pilgrim or a tourist, one would surely be amazed by the spirituality, culture, and traditions that Makkah offers. If you're planning to visit here, have a look at the top 10 things to do in Makkah for a smooth experience.
Best Things to Do in Makkah for a Rich Cultural Experience
There are a variety of things to do in Makkah and Medina that offer too many options to explore the city. Makkah is known for its religious values and its history and culture. The best time to visit Makkah is the mild winter months from the month of November to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant, turning out to be perfectly fit to perform pilgrimage and explore other attractions. Makkah is majorly renowned known for the Masjid Al-Haram and other places of historical significance. To make you informed about the most spiritual places of Makkah, let me take you to the list of 10 best things to do in Makkah and make your trip an enjoyable one.
- Masjid Al-Haram
- Ain Zubaidah
- Clock Tower Museum
- Hira Cultural District
- International Exhibition and Museum of the Biography of the Prophet and Islamic Civilization
- King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa
- Masjid Al-Taneem
- Masjid Al-Jinn
- Revelation Exhibition
- Museum of the Holy Quran
1. Masjid Al-Haram
Masjid al-Haram, or the Great Mosque of Mecca or Al Masjid Al Haram, is an Islamic place to worship that is considered sacred. The mosque serves primarily for the performance of 'Umrah' and is also listed among the many sites on the Hajj pilgrimage. The most sacred of the structures within the mosque is the Kaaba. Nobody except Muslims are allowed to enter Al Masjid Al Haram. As it is the oldest mosque in the world, it is said to have been constructed even before Adam's lifetime. Since then, Masjid Al-Haram is known as the "House of Allah," as mentioned in the Holy Quran.
Located on the east of the Kaaba is the Black Stone and it is about 1.5 meters high from ground level. Only a small part of the stone can be seen, and it is said that the Prophet Muhammad himself kissed that. Therefore, visitors stand in line to touch or kiss the holy stone. Visiting Al Masjed Al Haram will indeed be among the best things to do in Makkah during Ramadan.
Location: Al Haram, Makkah 24231, Saudi Arabia
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
2. Ain Zubaidah
Ain Zubaidah is a historic water canal, famous for its great archeological and geometric design. While it is clearly dry at the moment, this canal has been successfully operational for over 1200 years. The Zubaidah Canal is named after Zubaidah bint Ja’far, who was the wife of Caliph Harun al-Rashid. The canal has a length of approximately 30 kilometers, crosses several mountains and valleys, and there are 132 inspection chambers. Some of its parts are almost 40 meters in depth. Visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Makkah during Umrah.
You can find the channel of Ain Zubaidah in several locations like the Al-Kar Mountains, Mashaar Arafa, the district of Al-Aziziyah. If you are a history buff, then this place is a must-visit for you, and I am sure that you are going to love this place. This historic site gives you a unique knowledge of how it was used for providing water to pilgrims, Hajj performers, and the residents.
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3. Clock Tower Museum
The Clock Tower Museum is indeed an excellent place for astronomy enthusiasts. Also known as the Makkah Clock Royal Tower Museum, it is located at the highest altitude in Makkah, and run by the Misk Foundation, a non-profit organization that was founded by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. A lot of unique activities for all the age groups are organized here. The museum features the history and technology of clockmaking.
Apart from this, one can visit an observation deck from where panoramic views of Makkah can be enjoyed. This special observation deck is on the 120th floor of the tower and provides breathtaking views of the city. The museum sets an ambience that inspires each visitor to enjoy the marvels of the universe, the solar system, and how time is measured. Visitors can purchase tickets from the ticket counter on the ground floor of the Clock Tower Museum. Visit this place with your loved ones and tick the list of fun things to do in Makkah.
Location: CR9G+853, King Abdul Aziz Rd, Makkah 24231, Saudi Arabia
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday - 2 PM to 11 PM
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4. Hira Cultural District
The Hira Cultural District is a cultural and tourist center that relates the story of the divine revelation and sheds light on the historical value of the mountain and the cave. If you are going on a religious trip to Makkah, you can add Hira Cultural District to your list of places to visit in Makkah because it is known for its historical significance. One of the highlights of the Hira Cultural District is the Cultural Library, which is focused on the history and information of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, also emphasizing the biography and noble characteristics of Prophet Muhammad.
This popular attraction also consists of an array of restaurants and cafes serving authentic local food and international cuisine. It also enables visitors to purchase gifts and souvenirs. Some of the highlights of Hira Cultural District include:
- The Revelation Gallery
- The Museum of the Holy Quran
- Way leading to the cave
- The Cultural Library
- The Visitor Center
- Hira Garden
It’s a place that is perfect for families or anyone looking to have a unique experience.
Location: FV49+FJ, 6389, 3427, Makkah 24239, Saudi Arabia
Contact Number: +966 55 985 0986
Opening Hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 8 AM to 1 AM
- Friday: 1 PM to 1 AM
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5. International Exhibition and Museum of the Biography of the Prophet and Islamic Civilization
Travel back to the past and experience the life of Prophet Muhammad through history, his noble qualities, Sunnah, and his life. The detail is exhibited in a storytelling style that captivates the audience, at the exhibition in the King Abdulaziz Endowment, Clock Tower. It is an international interactive museum supervised by the Muslim World League, dedicated to the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. The fair also has some approximate models of how Makkah al-Mukarramah and the city of the Prophet looked during the prophetic era. It also depicts different stages of construction and expansion of both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.
Among the best historical places in Saudi Arabia, the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization intends to show Islam and its teachings in their actual state. Here, Arabic is the primary means of communication, but as an initial stage, the content is translated into six languages: English, Indonesian, French, Urdu, Turkish, and Spanish.
Location: 6295, 2722 Abu Ayoub Al Ansari, Al Haram, Madinah 42311, Saudi Arabia
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 6 AM to 10 AM, 1 PM to 5 PM, 9 PM to 1:30 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 1 PM to 5 PM, 9 PM to 1:30 AM
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6. King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa
It is a unique factory to produce the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, where silk is embroidered with gold-plated threads to create Quranic verses that adorn the walls of the sacred house. The sewing and stitching of the Kiswa have been of paramount importance given the religious significance of the Kaaba for Muslims. Since time immemorial, the Kiswa of the Kaaba has had special attention from the Kingdom. The Kaaba consists of black threads of silk and golden as well as silver embroidery threads. Its stitching is done in stages that last from six to eight months.
It should be on your list of things to do in Makkah Saudi Arabia, as it offers an opportunity for guests to view one of the best silk knitting and embroidery establishments and the production phases done by 200 staff. You will also learn about the history of the complex and the way Kiswa changes annually. This rigorous care manifests itself in the continuous endeavor to improve the equipment and skills of its production, as well as its choice and inspection of materials.
Location: Om Al-Joud, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Contact Number: +966-920033912
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8 AM To 11 PM
- Friday to Sunday: Closed
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7. Masjid Al-Taneem
Masjid Al-Taneem or Masjid Aisha, is a great historical mosque in Makkah. Located on the northwestern side of Makkah, the mosque welcomes the worshipers throughout the year, its doors always being open for 15,000 worshipers. It is famous because it was constructed at the site where Aisha bint Abu Bakr carried out Umrah in the farewell pilgrimage in the 9th year of Hijra. It is characterized by the contemporary Islamic architecture blended with historical accuracy and stunning decorations. Seek blessings of Almighty Allah at Masjid Al-Taneem as it is considered one of the best things to do in Makkah during Eid.
The mosque is equipped with two minarets and has several other essential utilities, including shaded courtyards and restrooms, water coolers, bus, taxi, and private vehicle parking areas, besides a few shops selling specialty Ihram and other necessities required by Umrah pilgrims and visitors. What differentiates it is the building style, along with lofty windows and vast doors, as it combines the historical architectural design with contemporary Arab-Islamic.
Location: 3410, Jarwal, Makkah 24231, Saudi Arabia
Opening Hours: Opens 24 Hours
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8. Masjid Al-Jinn
Makkah is the land of Islamic historic landmarks, and Masjid Al-Jinn is among the popular places to visit in Saudi Arabia. The mosque was built at a location where a group of Jinn had assembled one starry night to hear part of the recitation of the Qur'an by Muhammad. He later met there with leaders of the jinn who embraced Islam, and then did their bay'ah to him. This incident is mentioned in chapter al-Jinn of the Quran. This mosque is regarded as one of the oldest mosques in Mecca.
The mosque is commonly called Al-Haras Mosque because they used to make a Tawaf around the Kaaba up to the mosque. It is situated in front of the cemetery of Al-Mu'lat. This vicinity further elevates the significance of this mosque. The prayers offered in the Grand Mosque are audible around the mosque's vicinity during prayer times.
Location: 8464 Al Masjid Al Haram Rd, As Sulaymaniyyah, Makkah 24231, Saudi Arabia
Contact Number: +966 800 118 9999
Opening Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 9 AM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 4 PM to 9 PM
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9. Revelation Exhibition
The interactive visual and audio experience chronicles the sacred Quran revelation and presents a glimpse of the early days of the Meccan community. Exhibition visitors can see the magnificence of the era and environment where Prophet Muhammad would travel to reach the historic place. It really takes you to the world of divine revelation. The integration of modern technology and ancient artifacts presents an animated experience by highlighting stages of Quranic revelation, events in the life of Prophet Muhammad, and the historical impact caused by this message.
The exhibition is situated in Mecca, close to the Grand Mosque, and it is easy for visitors to walk into. It enjoys a modern and attractive design characterized by Islamic and traditional aesthetics. The relevance of this exhibition lies in the way it connects the past with the present, allowing for an enjoyable and innovative way for visitors to understand the depth of the Islamic message. You can plan a visit to this place with your kids and let them know about the rich history of Islam, one of the best things to do in Makkah for kids.
Location: 6484, 3404 6484, Makkah 24239, Saudi Arabia
Contact Number: +966 55 985 0986
Opening Hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM, 9 PM to 1:30 AM
- Friday: 1 PM to 5:30 PM, 9 PM to 1:30 PM
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10. Museum of the Holy Quran
It is the first private museum in Makkah, dedicated to the history and transcription of the holy Quran. It features an extraordinary collection of rare Quranic manuscripts, promising its visitors an exceptional experience complemented by modern technologies of the museum. This holy Quran Museum has been opened recently at the base of Mount Hira in Makkah. It forms an important part of the Hira Cultural District project. This site is the most important historical and spiritual landmark, as this was the first place where the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
One of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia is to visit this museum. Rare artifacts in the museum make this center a unique cultural and spiritual destination. Several exhibitions teach the in-depth impact of the Quran on Islamic civilization with the help of modern interactive technologies. It also underlines the diligent care given to the preservation of the Quran and its implications for Muslims around the world.
Location: 6389, Makkah 24239, Saudi Arabia
Contact Number: +966 11 277 8877
Opening Hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 11:30 PM
- Friday: 3:30 PM to 1 AM
You can explore all above-mentioned places of Makkah and explore this this holiest city for all Muslims across the globe. Majestic mosques and historical sites, Makkah is a treasure full of heritage and landmarks. From seeking blessings at the sacred mosques to getting to know about the rich history of Islam, there are plenty of things to do in Makkah for Muslim visitors. With our Makkah tour packages, pilgrims and travelers can make such a memorable voyage of the city. Whether you are performing Umrah, going to the Kaaba, or merely soaking in the city's holy ambiance, Makkah is a place that will imprint itself on your heart and soul. Let the sacred energy of Makkah transform your life and create unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever. So why wait? Book your Makkah tour package today to enjoy the spirituality of this holy city.
FAQ's - Things to Do in Makkah
The Masjid al-Haram, the Kaaba, the Jabal al-noor, and the Cave of Mount Hira are the foremost tourist attractions in Makkah.
You can visit the Kaaba throughout the year.
Yes, there are certain rules and regulations that visitors need to follow while visiting Makkah, such as dressing modestly, removing shoes before entering mosques, and respecting the sanctity of the holy sites.
No, taking pictures or videos are not allowed inside the holy sites, including the Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba. However, you can take pictures and videos outside these areas.
Yes, Makkah has several shopping malls, such as Makkah Mall, and Jabal Omar Complex.
Yes, traditional Saudi food like kabsa, shawarma, falafel, and more are some traditional Saudi food options in Makkah.
The transport system is well developed in Makkah. You can find taxis, buses, and metro lines. Also, one could hire a private car.
Yes, it is highly encouraged to perform Umrah in Makkah during Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once stated, "Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me.
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