Makkah

Saudi Arabia. The holiest city in Islam and the heart of every Umrah. Where you stay matters more here than anywhere.

Best time to go

November to February is cooler; Ramadan is busiest

Getting there

About 6½ hours direct to Jeddah

Currency

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Language

Arabic

About Makkah

Makkah is home to Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba. Most visitors come for Umrah, and the walk between hotel and Haram shapes the whole trip, especially for older pilgrims and families.

Flights land at Jeddah (JED), about 90 minutes away by road, or at Madinah (MED) for those starting there. Most UK pilgrims split their stay between the two cities.

Worth seeing

• Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba
• The Abraj Al-Bait clock tower
• Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira
• Masjid Aisha (miqat for Umrah from Makkah)
• Jabal Thawr

<a href="/flights/saudi">Flights to Saudi Arabia</a>

<a href="/umrah">Umrah packages from the UK</a>