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JED · 21.49° N · 39.19° E · Saudi Arabia

Makkah

The holiest city in Islam and the destination of Umrah, reached through Jeddah airport.

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About Makkah

In short

  • Masjid al Haram
  • Umrah at any time outside Hajj
  • Hotels within walking distance of the Haram
  • Haramain railway to Madinah
  • Jabal al Nour and the Cave of Hira

At a glance

Country
Saudi Arabia
Region
Middle East
Local time
GMT+3
Time difference
2 hours ahead of London3 hours ahead in January
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Languages
Arabic
Main airport
  • JEDKing Abdulaziz International Airport
Best time to visit
November to February
Deals
10 deals

Makkah is home to the Masjid al Haram and the Kaaba, and only Muslims may enter the city. Most pilgrims fly to Jeddah, then travel about 80 kilometres by road or by the Haramain high speed railway, which stops at Jeddah airport.

Hotels range from towers overlooking the Haram, such as those in the Abraj Al Bait complex, to quieter properties a short shuttle ride away. Staying close lets you walk to prayers at any hour, which many travellers value most during Umrah.

Umrah can be performed at any time of year except during Hajj. The cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable, and Ramadan is the busiest season.

Before you go

Entry and visas

Entry rules depend on your passport and why you are travelling, and they change, so check the official sources below before you book. Makkah is open only to Muslims. Pilgrims use Nusuk, the official Saudi platform, for Umrah information and permits. Check it again close to your travel dates, as permits and rules change. GOV.UK's travel advice for Saudi Arabia can advise against travel to some cities and airports at short notice, so read it before you book and again before you travel.

Health

See a travel health professional well before your trip and read TravelHealthPro's Saudi Arabia page and its Hajj and Umrah advice, as pilgrims have their own health entry requirements. Makkah is hot for most of the year: drink plenty of water, keep out of direct sun where you can and pace yourself. Coughs and colds spread easily in crowds, so wash your hands often.

Money

The currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR). Carry some cash for small purchases, tell your bank before you travel and check what your card charges abroad.

General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When to go

  1. JanuaryBest
  2. FebruaryBest
  3. March
  4. April
  5. MayNot ideal
  6. JuneNot ideal
  7. JulyNot ideal
  8. AugustNot ideal
  9. SeptemberNot ideal
  10. October
  11. NovemberBest
  12. DecemberBest

Umrah can be made through most of the year. December to February are the mildest months, with average highs of about 31 to 33°C. From May to September average highs are about 42 to 44°C, so plan for the heat.

Deals to Makkah

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  • HolidayATOL protected

    Makkah: ten nights at Swissôtel Makkah

    From Manchester Airport · Ten nights facing the Kaaba for an unhurried Umrah, with direct flights between Manchester and Jeddah.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

  • HolidayATOL protected

    Jeddah: four nights at Rosewood Jeddah

    From London Heathrow Airport · A Red Sea city break on the Corniche, with time to explore the old town of Al Balad.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

  • Hotel

    Rosewood Jeddah

    A hotel on the Jeddah Corniche with views across the Red Sea, a good base before or after Umrah.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

Pictures of Makkah

  • The Kaaba seen from above, with the pilgrims circling it blurred by a long exposure
    The Kaaba at the heart of the Masjid al-Haram, seen from above
  • Two pigeons on a stone ledge above the buildings of Makkah, with rocky mountains behind
    Makkah spreads between rocky mountains
  • Jabal al-Nour, a rocky mountain in Makkah, under a blue sky with scattered clouds
    Jabal al-Nour, home to the Cave of Hira, just outside Makkah
  • The Kaaba and a minaret framed by carved stone arches inside the Masjid al-Haram
    Arches of the Masjid al-Haram frame the Kaaba

Questions about Makkah

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How can I stay well on Umrah?

Book a travel health appointment well before you go and read TravelHealthPro's Hajj and Umrah advice, as pilgrims have their own health entry requirements. In Makkah, drink plenty of water, keep out of direct sun where you can and wash your hands often.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When is the best time to go to Makkah?

For milder weather, go from December to February, when average highs are about 31 to 33°C. From May to September average highs reach about 42 to 44°C, so drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun. Umrah itself can be made through most of the year.

Can anyone visit Makkah?

No, Makkah is open only to Muslims. Visitors who are not Muslim can still travel to other parts of Saudi Arabia, such as Jeddah, if they meet the entry rules.

Checked on 14 October 2026

How do I get to Makkah?

Makkah has no airport of its own. The nearest international airport is in Jeddah, about 70 km away on the Red Sea coast, and Madinah also has an international airport; a high speed railway links all three cities. Read GOV.UK's travel advice for Saudi Arabia before you book, as it can advise against travel to some airports.

Checked on 14 October 2026

How do I get an Umrah permit?

Umrah permits are issued through Nusuk, the official Saudi platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, on its app and website. Permits and the rules around them change, so check Nusuk and the official travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

Checked on 14 October 2026

What is Umrah?

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can make through most of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place on set dates in the Islamic calendar. During the Hajj season, Umrah is limited to those performing Hajj.

Checked on 14 October 2026

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