Experience
Makkah
The first holy city of Islam, home to the Kaaba and the Great Mosque, Masjid al-Haram.
Makkah holds Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque, which surrounds the Kaaba, the direction Muslims the world over face in prayer. It is the place of the tawaf, the circumambulation, and of the sa'y between Safa and Marwa, both within the mosque enclosure.
Umrah can be performed all year round, unlike Hajj, whose rites fall on fixed dates in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah and which comes under a separate framework.
The city is served by King Abdulaziz International Airport at Jeddah, about 90 kilometres away, and by the Haramain high-speed line, which links Makkah to Jeddah and then Madina.
Entry to the city is for Muslims only, which is worth knowing before organising a trip as a group or a family.
What there is to see
Masjid al-Haram
The Great Mosque, around the Kaaba.
The Kaaba
The cubic building at the centre of the mosque, the direction of prayer.
Safa and Marwa
The two hills of the sa'y, within the mosque enclosure.
Jabal al-Nour
The hill holding the cave of Hira; a steep climb, best done early.
Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah
The places of the Hajj rites, east of the city.
When to go
Umrah can be done all year. The winter months are the most bearable; Ramadan and the Hajj season are by far the busiest, and accommodation near the mosque is booked long in advance.
Makkah: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj?
Umrah can be performed at any point in the year and its rites take place at Masjid al-Haram. Hajj falls on fixed dates in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, includes stages at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, and comes under specific organisation and quotas.
What documents do you need for Umrah?
A valid passport and a specific visa. The way these are issued changes regularly: we check the conditions in force at the time of booking rather than hand you a rule that may have changed.
Do you need to stay near the mosque?
It is the choice that changes the stay the most, above all for older travellers: the distance to Masjid al-Haram decides how many journeys you make each day. It is also what varies the budget most from one place to another.
