A Guide To Mecca 2024: Places & More – What to do in Mecca?

The capital of the Mecca Province is the City of Mecca, Amanah, which includes Mecca and the surrounding area.

The holiest city in Islam is Mecca officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, shortly known to Makkah.

Makkah is the birth place of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .

It had 1,578,722 residents as of the most recent count in 2015.

With a projected metro population of 2.042 million in 2020, it will rank third in terms of population in Saudi Arabia, after Jeddah and Riyadh.

Every year, during the hajj pilgrimage, which is observed in the twelfth Hijri month of Dhl-ijjah, there are more than three times as many pilgrims.

Are you planning to visit Makkah as well?

Here is a guide that answers all of your questions about Mecca/Makkah Al-Mukarramah sites, tourism attractions, and other locations to visit.

Masjid Al-Haram

A mosque that surrounds the Kaaba in Mecca, in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, is called Masjid Al Haram, popularly known as the Grand Mosque of Mecca.

It serves as both the primary phase and a place of pilgrimage for the minor pilgrimage known as Umrah, which can be performed at any time of the year and is required of every Muslim to perform at least once in their lifetime.

These pilgrimage rituals entail circling the Kaaba inside the mosque.

Several Ziyarah, including the Kaaba, Kiswa, Hajr-e Aswad, Maqam-e Ibrahim, Safa, and Marwa, are in Makkah’s Masjid Al Haram.

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم destroyed the idols in and around the Kaaba upon his triumphant return to Mecca in 630 CE, much as Abraham allegedly did in his native land, according to the Quran. [Reference needed] Consequently, polytheistic use of the Kaaba came to an end, and monotheistic control over it and its shrine was established.

Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan issued the mosque’s first significant remodelling order in 692.

The mosque used to be a little open space with the Kaaba in the middle before its remodelling, which involved raising the mosque’s exterior walls and adding adornment to the ceiling.

By Al-Walid I’s direction, the mosque’s ancient wooden columns were changed for marble ones by the end of the eighth century, and the prayer hall’s wings were expanded on both sides in addition to a minaret.

Three more minarets and additional marble were added to the site as a result of the growth of Islam in the Middle East and the flood of pilgrims.

More than 5 million Muslims now annually perform the Hajj.

it receives millions of worshippers each year.

The capacity of Masjid Al Haram is 2.5 million.

Masjid e Aisha AKA Masjid e Taneem

Masjid at-Tan’eem, AKA Masjid e Aisha, is the mosque where Aisha (رضي الله عنه ) went to enter into Ihram by following Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم orders on the last Hajj.

The mosque is located in the neighbourhood of At-Tan’im in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia, near Al-Hil and about 5 miles (8.0 kilometres) from the Kaaba.

It is a Haram boundary, thus Hajj and Umrah travellers are permitted to wear Ihram, for those who live inside the Haram’s limits, it is currently the closest and most helpful place to enter Ihram in order to fulfil the requirement of travelling for Umrah..

This mosque is quite large and offers bathing, ablution, and dressing rooms for pilgrims as well as visitors who come to pray regularly.

Masjid e Aisha is open 24 hours, seven days a week and knows as the 2nd largest mosque in Mecca with the capacity of 47,084 worshipers

The Cave of Hira (Ghar-i-Hira)

The Cave of Hira (Ghar-i-Hira), is located on the Jabal al-Nour mountain and it is extremely significant for Muslims around the world because the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم received his first revelation.

It ranks among the top tourist destinations in Makkah.

Keep in mind that it takes almost one to two hour to climb to the cave even if you’re physically fit.

Zubaida Canal

The Canal of Zubaida is an aqueduct (Qanat) from the early Abbasid period and finished in 801 CE.

To supply water to the city of Mecca, it was built by the Muslim queen of Iraq and wife of Caliph Haroon Al Rashid, Zubaida.

Part of it is an above-ground aqueduct, and the other is built in the traditional Middle Eastern qanat (underground water channel) style.

For the past 1,200 years, Makkah and neighbouring holy places have continued to receive water from the ‘Ain Zubaida (also written as Ayn Zubaydah).

About 1928 CE, during King Abdul Aziz’s reign, the Zubaida Canal underwent a considerable restoration.

The majority of the ancient qanat is still only in fragments, despite the fact that some of it has undergone substantial restoration.

A remarkable engineering and building achievement that has served the people for more than a thousand years is the 35-kilometer-long Nehr-e Zubaida.

Subsequently, the zubaida canal was expanded to Mina and Muzdalfa before reaching Jabal e Rahma in Arafat.

For around 1000 years, it is serving pilgrims performing the Hajj.

Masjid e Jinn

A historic mosque called the Mosque of the Jinn is situated next to Jannat al-Mu’alla in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Mosque of Allegiance and Mosque of Guards are the other two other names of Masjid e Jinn.

The site of the mosque is said to be the location where a group of jinn gathered one night to hear the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم recite a passage from the Quran.

The leaders of these jinn eventually met with Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم there, and he welcomed their conversion to Islam and their bay’ah (oath of allegiance) to him.

One of the most significant and often visited mosques in the city, the mosque is regarded as one of the oldest in Mecca, it was constructed in the 1700s.

The mosque’s building recently gained a minaret, giving it a more angular and contemporary appearance.

The mosque now includes all the amenities of today, such as an air-conditioned interior, water stations (wudu), prayer mats, and fans.

The mosque is not very large, yet it has a large praying area, five times a day, local residents come here to pray.

Tuwa Well

Tuwa well is also known as Bir tuwa.

In accordance with Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم spent one night in Bir Tuwa during the conquest of Makkah (630 AD).

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم awoke, took a bath in Bir Tuwa, and then prayed the Salah by the well.

It was there that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم split the Muslim army into two camps, one of which was led by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم himself and the other by Hazrat Khalid bin Walid رضي الله عنه.

The Muslims approached Makkah from the Kudai side, as per the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .

It ranks among the most well-known Ziyarat in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Many locals and pilgrims making the Hajj and Umrah visit Bir Tuwa each year to purchase food items including fruits and vegetables.

Mount Abu Qubais

Near the mount Safa, Mount Abu Qubais is the first ever mountain, it is also called Jabal Abu Qubais with the height of 420 meters.

It is claimed that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed to the moon and divided it in half from the peak of this mountain.

The mountain has a lot of Islamic events associated with it.

It is one of the most popular places.

Some people think that Adam and Eve’s burial and descent from this mountain took place there.

Also, Ibrahim علیہ السلام discovered al-Hajar al-Aswad, which had been temporarily positioned on Mount Abu Qubays.

Mount Arafat

Mount Arafat (Jabal Araft) is a granodiorite hill located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Mecca in the Saudi Arabian province Mecca.

The mountain is about 70 metres (230 feet) tall, with its highest point at 454 metres (1,490 ft)

According to some Islamic traditions, the hill is where the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon, also known as the Khutbat al-Wada’, to his Companions (Sahabah) who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.

Some Muslims also believe that Mount Arafat is the place where Adam and Eve (Hawa) reunited on Earth after falling from Heaven, believing the mountain to be the place where they were forgiven, hence giving it the name Jabal ar-Rahmah, meaning “Mountain of Mercy”.

A pillar is erected on top of the mountain to mark the location of this event.

When Hajj pilgrims depart from Mina for Arafat on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, also known as the Day of ‘Arafah (after the mountain itself), which is regarded as the most significant day of the Hajj, the mountain plays a specific role during the pilgrimage.

The sermon is given, and everyone in the valley prays Zuhr and Asr at the same time.

On the summit, the pilgrims spend the entire day praying to Allah to erase their sins or misdeeds.

You can visit Mount Arafat on non hajj days as well.

Jamaraat Bridge

The bridge is about 950 metres long.

As the crowds grew larger each year, the bridge was built to allow pilgrims to throw stones at the three Jamrah pillars.

In the early years of 2000, just the ground level and the first bridge level had been completed.

The bridge has undergone numerous expansions since that time.

In order to offer people with convenient access, bottlenecks were made, and eventually ramps and tunnels were built as well.

By 2006, the single tier gave way to a number of tiers.

Muslims utilise this bridge during the Hajj to perform the ritual known as “stoning the devil,” which is scheduled to occur between the 10th day and just before sunset on the 13th day of Dhu Al-Hajjah.

The three Jamarah pillars must be hit with stones as part of this rite.

The Saudi authorities took action to stop any incidents because of the rise in pilgrims.

The construction of footbridges, additional entryways, and emergency exits allowed pilgrims to safely carry out their ritual.

These changes have steadily increased the bridge’s effectiveness.

The bridge could previously support 200,000 people per hour, but it can now support up to 600,000 people per hour.

Opens 24 hours and its entry is free, you can also visit on non hajj days.

Clock Tower Museum

The Clock Tower Museum, one of the Mecca tourist spots, is located in the Mecca Clocktower, behind the clock.

The museum in Makkah, which was constructed to take visitors on a tour of the vast universe, was opened to the public in the early months of 2019.

It is located on the top four floors of the famous clock tower.

• Visit the first floor to see the Makkah Clock, the most precise timekeeper in existence.
• Move to the second floor to learn about an elderly man who was curious about the time.
• To study about the earth, moon, and sun, make your way to the second floor.
• Lastly, A panoramic view of the Grand Mosque and its surrounds may be enjoyed once you have reached the fourth floor, where you can learn about space and the stars.
• Additionally, the museum is also home to the largest clock in the world.
• Timing: 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM everyday.
• Ticket price: 150 SR for normal visit and for VIP visit it costs SR 300.

Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques

The exhibition is situated in the hills of Mecca’s Umm Al-Joud district, close to the Kiswa factory.

Since its inception, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

It was founded in February 2000 during the reign of late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections, The Grandeur of the Grand Mosque, The Holy Kaaba, the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم Mosque, Zamzam Well, Manuscripts and photographs.

Visitors also get Zamzam water sample and a copy of Holy Quran.

The exhibition’s main goal is to provide the Muslim community with general information about the history of the two holy mosques’ unique architectural designs.

The museum has many things such as Wooden Pillar of Kaaba, Mizab Rehma, Kaaba’s Wooden Ladder, Door of the Kaaba and of-course Models of the two Holy Mosques which are Masjid Al haram and Masjid al Nabawi.

Al Hokair Funland Makkah

If you want some adventure while you are in Makkah, go visit Al Hokair Funland.

This amusement park is one of Makkah’s main entertainment destinations.

It has ice skating rinks as well as a variety of entertaining activities scattered across its exterior squares and interior halls.

There are a lot of places to eat, including cafés and restaurants.

• Timings: 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM everyday.
• Ticket price: SR 22.40

FAQs

From the Writer of The Mecca Guide

Well, these are all the places you can visit in the holy land of the world, the most purest city and the heart of Saudi Arabia, Mecca.

If you have any questions or queries, we are always ready to help, use the comment box below.

And if you think if we have missed some places or ziyarats in Makkah, let us know in the comment box as well.

Hope this guide helps, Ameen.