- AreaHejaz, about 80 km inland from Jeddah
- Best forUmrah, Hajj, prayer at the Sacred Mosque
- Time3–5 days for Umrah
- TipIssue your Umrah permit in Nusuk before you travel to the Haram
Makkah al-Mukarramah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the site of the Kaaba, towards which Muslims around the world turn in prayer. The city exists to welcome pilgrims: millions come every year for Umrah, which can be performed at any time outside the Hajj days, and for Hajj itself. This guide covers the practical side of a visit; for religious guidance, follow the scholars and the official Ministry of Hajj and Umrah resources.
Visas and permits
Muslims can perform Umrah outside the Hajj season on an Umrah visa or on other visa types, including the Saudi tourist eVisa; see our visa guide. GCC citizens and residents follow their own rules. Whatever your visa, you need an Umrah permit with a date and time, issued free in the official Nusuk app. Packages that bundle visa, accommodation and transport are available through the Nusuk Umrah platform and licensed providers. Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa and permit; from roughly a month before Hajj, access to Makkah is restricted to those holding Hajj permits or residence in the city, and flights to Jeddah, Madinah and Taif may also be restricted.
The Sacred Mosque
Al-Masjid al-Haram has been expanded many times and can hold well over a million worshippers. Umrah consists of entering ihram at or before the miqat, tawaf around the Kaaba, sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming the hair. The mosque is busiest after Isha, on Fridays, in the last ten nights of Ramadan and on public holidays. Families with elderly members can use wheelchairs and electric carts available at the mosque; ask staff at the gates.
Other places to visit
Many pilgrims visit Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira, where the first revelation came; the climb is steep and best done early or late. The Hira Cultural District at its foot has a museum on the revelation. You can also see Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, the sites of the Hajj rites, outside the season. The Clock Tower complex (Abraj Al Bait) beside the Haram houses hotels, shopping and a museum.
Getting there and around
Most international visitors fly into Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport or Madinah. The Haramain High-Speed Railway runs from Jeddah airport (Terminal 1) and Jeddah's Al Sulaymaniyah station to Makkah in well under an hour, and from Madinah in about two to two and a half hours. Book on the official Haramain railway website or app. Makkah station is in Al Rusaifah, a short taxi or bus ride from the Haram. Within the city, the Makkah bus network and taxis connect hotels and the mosque; at peak times, walking is often quickest.
Where to stay
Hotels around the Haram, including the Clock Tower towers, let you walk to every prayer but command premium prices, especially in Ramadan. Areas such as Aziziyah and hotels further along the main roads are cheaper and usually run shuttles. Compare Makkah hotels.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims visit Makkah?
No. Entry to the city of Makkah is restricted to Muslims. Non-Muslims can visit Jeddah, Taif and most of Madinah instead.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes, Muslims can perform Umrah on the tourist eVisa outside the Hajj season, but you must also book an Umrah permit with a date and time in the Nusuk app.
How do I get from Jeddah airport to Makkah?
Take the Haramain High-Speed Railway from the station at Terminal 1, which reaches Makkah in well under an hour, or use a licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer.
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