Mecca, with its authentic Arab features that extend deep into the roots of history, is considered one of the most famous holy cities in the entire Islamic world. How could it not be, as it includes the Holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque? Millions of Muslims from all over the world visit it to perform the Hajj and Umrah rituals. Visiting Mecca is a dream that every Muslim man and woman calls for to come true.
Mecca is known by many names, the most famous of which is:
Umm Al-Qura, the Ancient House, Mecca, the Safe City, and the Safe Sanctuary.
The city of Mecca is not only the holiest place for practicing Islamic religious rituals, but it has also become one of the most important tourist cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it provides its visitors with an exceptional and distinctive tourist experience due to its amazing historical, religious, and entertainment attractions.
Tourism and Mecca
Makkah Al-Mukarramah is considered one of the most distinguished tourist cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it contains many recreational tourist places, in addition to being one of the most important cities for religious tourism, which is visited by millions of visitors from all over the world annually.
Here are the most important tourist places in Mecca in the following lines
Tourist places in Mecca
Makkah Museums
It was necessary to collect, preserve, and organize the huge and rich historical, cultural, and social legacy of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in many of the city’s museums so that its visitors could learn about this Arab antiquity and authenticity. Here are some of the museums of Mecca
Clock Tower Museum
It is located on King Abdulaziz Road in the Clock Tower, the fourth tallest tower in the entire world, that is, at the highest point in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It contains the largest clock in the world and overlooks the Grand Mosque directly. It was opened in 1440 AH, managed by the Misk Charity Foundation.
The museum consists of four floors that provide visitors with the most important information related to time, the Earth, the universe, and the solar system, making it one of the most famous tourist places in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
Things to do at the museum
It offers a unique and smart experience and uses the latest technologies to showcase the precise working mechanics of the world's largest watch and much more.
Start your visit on the first floor to explore the story of the machines and techniques used to make the Makkah Grand Clock, the largest clock in the world.
On the second floor you will be able to take a closer look at man and his relationship with time that has extended throughout ancient times.
You will also learn about the most important ancient techniques he used to coordinate his daily life and determine time, such as pocket watches and water clocks.
Visitors can also learn about the mechanisms of measuring and determining time, which are used to determine times, such as the times for Muslims to perform prayers.
As for the third floor, you will have an amazing experience exploring the wonders of the universe by browsing the exceptional images taken by satellite to show you all the information related to the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon.
When you reach the fourth floor, which is dedicated to displaying some information about the universe in general, you will be able to see the wonders of the universe, such as the vastness of space, groups of galaxies, and stars...
Be sure to enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of the Holy Mosque from the balcony on the fourth floor.
Clock Tower Museum Opening Hours
Daily from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Museum of Human Heritage
Muhammed Al-Ghamdi established the Human Heritage Museum, which consists of 10 halls displaying approximately 31 thousand artifacts, all of which were used in ancient times. It shows the history of man since prehistoric times and reveals the most important tools that man used in those periods, such as daggers and weapons, in addition to many coins.
Islamic Dinar Museum
It is located in Al-Hijrah district, and is one of the most famous historical and cultural landmarks in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The main objective of the museum is to display Islamic coins and currencies, highlighting the inscriptions and decorations drawn on them, thus preserving the Islamic currency heritage. The museum contains four halls, which are as follows:
Coins and Currency Hall
It allows visitors to learn about many silver and gold coins.
Hall of Manuscripts and Weapons
It displays many manuscripts in Arabic, Hadith, Tafsir and historical documents.
Hall of Historical Monuments
It includes some of the collectibles and artifacts such as pottery and others.
Folklore Hall
It displays the pieces and tools that were used in ancient times in Mecca.
Makkah Parks and Amusements
Tourist places in Mecca
Al-Hussainiya Garden
One of the most famous and largest parks in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, its area reaches 150 thousand square meters. It is characterized by its charming natural scenery and its calm and pleasant atmosphere. The park contains areas designated for children that contain many entertaining games in addition to quiet walking paths. It is worth noting that the park has been designed according to international standards using the best advanced technologies, taking into account the hot climate in the region by controlling air, humidity, and soil factors to grow tropical plants.
Activities to do
If you are a fan of nature and a quiet atmosphere away from the noise of life, then Al-Hussainiya Park is the perfect place for you, as you can relax and sit in the middle of the refreshing green spaces.
The park provides many areas designated for children to play so that they can enjoy and play various activities within the safe embrace of nature.
If you are a fan of walking on quiet paths amidst the attractive nature, you should try the walking paths in this park because you will definitely like it.
You can visit one of the distinctive cafes in the area and taste delicious coffee with friends.
You will be able to have a unique and enjoyable experience that will nourish your senses and fill your soul with happiness and joy if you visit the park during the famous flower festivals in Makkah.
Park opening hours
The park can be visited 24 hours a day.
King Abdullah Park
King Abdullah Park is located in Al-Mashaer district, opposite Al-Rajhi Mosque. It extends over vast areas and contains all the services that make it the best and ideal destination for families to spend the most enjoyable times.
Activities to do
Visitors can take a nice walk and relax with the family by sitting in the green spaces and under the shade of the perennial trees and green spaces.
Visitors enjoy doing various activities and exercises such as walking, jogging and many fitness exercises as there are many sports tools and equipment.
Children will definitely be happy in King Abdullah Park, as it has provided an area specially prepared for them, full of different games that will entertain them throughout their stay and prevent boredom from creeping in, and therefore it is one of the most prominent destinations that attract children.
The park offers many public facilities and services such as parking spaces, public bathrooms, and seating areas.
The place has some kiosks that offer a variety of local drinks and traditional Saudi foods.
Working hours
The park is open 24 hours.
Water park
It is located on Al-Awali Road in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and is one of the most famous destinations that attract families to have the most enjoyable holidays and times. It attracts large numbers of visitors to practice many water and recreational activities.
The water park is fully integrated with services and activities, as it includes a wide range in addition to the presence of a zoo and an kinetic games park.
Water park features
The water park contains a wide range of fun water games that suit different ages and satisfy all tastes, as there are swimming pools of different depths to suit all ages with a variety of water games from water balls for children, fountains, slides, and sprinklers.
Visit one of the cafes to taste the most delicious snacks and have some refreshing drinks.
The water park provides many services such as:
Private changing rooms
sunshades
Swimming equipment store
Multiple seating areas
You can visit the area that contains many entertaining air games such as air bouncy castles, swings.
Al Hokair Amusement Park in Mecca
One of the best recreational tourist attractions in Makkah Al-Mukarramah,
It is located on Madinah Road in Al Zaher district in Makkah Al Mukarramah within the Arabian Peninsula Park.
Features of Al Hokair Amusement Park
The amusement park includes three amazing halls: Sky Zone Hall, Sparky’s Hall, and Snow Hall. These three halls contain a wide range of different types of games such as:
Motor, electronic and electrical games suitable for different ages.
Al Hokair Amusement Park contains many upscale restaurants that serve the most delicious dishes and fast food. Visitors can also order the most delicious hot or cold drinks in one of the cafes located in the place.
Visitors can buy the best toys and gifts from the shops located in the place at reasonable prices.
Green Arts Park
This park is famous for being a place for school trips during the school season. It is located in Khulais Governorate in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It is characterized by its wide green spaces, with paths for walking, jogging and exercising, in addition to the presence of shaded seating areas to protect visitors from the sun. Animal models made of green plants are spread throughout the park in a creative way.
Makkah markets
Tourist places in Mecca
Azizia Market
The market is located in the Aziziyah district on the road to the Grand Mosque. It is one of the most prominent and important markets in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, as it is located in a strategic location on the road of pilgrims going from the Grand Mosque to the Mina area. The market contains many, many shops that display various distinctive goods and commodities at reasonable prices that suit everyone, meaning that it suits all social classes. It also enjoys many advantages, perhaps the most important of which is the variety of options and goods displayed in it.
There are many famous restaurants in Al Aziziyah Market, such as Al Baik and Al Tazaj, in addition to Arabic kitchens specialized in preparing large banquets, such as the traditional Hadramout Restaurant.
Al Otaibiya Central Market
The market is located on Al-Hujun Street in the Andalusia district, 3 km away from the Holy Mosque. The market has a vast area of up to two million square meters, and contains approximately 200 shops. It is one of the most famous and popular markets in Mecca, as it provides a comfortable and exceptional shopping experience with many different options for various products and goods.
It is said that the name of the market goes back to an old woman who was originally from the Otaibi tribe. Her work was raising sheep. She was one of the first residents of the area and was known for her hospitality, generosity, and assistance to the poor and pilgrims to the Sacred House of God.
Features of Al Otaiba Market
The market, with its authentic heritage atmosphere, represents Mecca’s ancient past, and therefore has a special and important place in the hearts of the city’s residents.
There are many shops in the market that specialize in displaying different types of goods, such as dress and abayas shops, home appliance shops, shops selling ready-made clothes, sewing supplies, kitchen tools, hardware, watches, perfumes, gifts, souvenirs, perfumery, and gold, in addition to all the supplies of pilgrims and Umrah performers, such as prayer sets, prayer beads, and rugs.
In conclusion, we see that thousands of visitors visit the city of Mecca annually to undergo many cultural, spiritual, or recreational experiences. Mecca includes many historical and cultural landmarks that enable visitors to learn about its cultural identity, passing through its ancient popular markets, and reaching its enjoyable recreational landmarks.