Mecca

Strictly forbidden for non-Muslims to enter this city, Mecca is the holiest of all cities in Islam. A pilgrimage to Mecca, which is commonly known as Hajj, is obligatory for all Muslims with financial and physical ability. Over 3 million Muslims from all around the World visit Mecca during the months of Dhu’l-Hijjah every year. Located within a narrow valley situated at a distance of 73 kilometers inland from Jeddah, Mecca also happens to be the birth place of Prophet Mohammed.

Situated at an elevation of 909 feet above mean sea level, the entire city of Mecca is expanded around ‘Masjid al-Haram’, the Grand Mosque located in the centre. Spread over a 1,200 square kilometer area, most traditional home of Mecca are generally two or three stories built of local rock. Featuring an arid climate, unlike the rest of Saudi Arabia, Mecca mostly retains a warm temperature during winters.