Mecca Travel Guide

Saudi Arabia's Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam, beckons millions of pilgrims each year. As a city that non-Muslims are not permitted to enter, Mecca holds a unique position in the Islamic world, with the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, at its heart.

The Grand Mosque is home to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure draped in black silk, towards which Muslims worldwide turn in prayer. Pilgrimage, or Hajj, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is required to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The city is also the focal point for the lesser pilgrimage, Umrah, which can be undertaken at any time of the year.

Mecca's significance in Islamic history is profound. The city's historical and religious sites, such as the Cave of Hira, where Muhammad is said to have received his first revelations from God, and the Jabal al-Nour, or Mountain of Light, are deeply revered. The seamless blend of ancient tradition and modernity is evident as skyscrapers tower alongside sacred sites, reflecting the massive developments that have been made to accommodate the ever-increasing number of pilgrims.

The region of Makkah is also notable for its rapid expansion and infrastructure development, including the construction of the Makkah Metro to facilitate the transport of pilgrims between holy sites. Beyond the city of Mecca, the region features the city of Jeddah, a gateway for pilgrims arriving by sea or air, known for its Red Sea beaches, historic coral architecture in Al-Balad, and the modern King Fahd's Fountain, the tallest of its kind in the world.

Culinary experiences in the region are diverse, with traditional Arabian dishes such as Kabsa, a spiced rice dish with meat, and Meccan cuisine influenced by the myriad of cultures that have passed through the city over centuries.