Makkah

Makkah, also spelled Mecca, is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Located in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, it is the spiritual centre toward which Muslims around the world direct their daily prayers and the focal point of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

At the heart of the city is Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque, which surrounds the Kaaba and can hold hundreds of thousands of worshippers during peak periods. Nearby landmarks include the Abraj Al Bait clock tower complex, the hills of Safa and Marwa, and Mount Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah on the city's outskirts, which play central roles in Hajj rituals.

The central Haram district and areas such as Ajyad, Jabal Omar and Aziziyah are filled with hotels, malls and services catering to pilgrims. Visitors can also explore the Hira Cultural District, the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques, and traditional markets for dates, prayer beads and religious items.

Pilgrimage is the backbone of Makkah's economy, supported by continuous hotel and infrastructure development under Saudi Vision 2030. The Haramain High Speed Railway links the city to Jeddah and Medina, while modern roads and shuttle systems move large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.

Makkah's role is primarily religious, and access to the city is restricted to Muslims. For those eligible to visit, it offers a profound spiritual experience and a well-developed hospitality sector, making it one of the world's most significant destinations for religious travel.