In which quarter house in Mecca?

On holiday in Saudi Arabia? Whether you're visiting or staying a few days, here are the areas where you can stay in Mecca.

According to the Islamic tradition, Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. For all Muslims in the world, Mecca is the most sacred holy city. Every year, thousands of visitors make their pilgrimage through Saudi Arabia. For Muslims, it is a journey to be made absolutely since it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Due to the influx of ever more faithful, Mecca has developed many infrastructure to accommodate them. In addition to religious monuments, you will find offers of hotels and apartments suitable for all budgets. To find the accommodation that suits you, find our guide to the neighborhoods where to stay in Mecca.

Al Haram

If you are looking for a neighbourhood where to stay in Mecca, it is in Al Haram that you will have to go first. This is where the Al-Harâm Mosque or more precisely the sacred mosque, to which Muslims turn during their prayers.

In its centre is the Kaaba, the largest sanctuary of Islam. The Kaaba square can accommodate more than three million faithful every day. The Kaaba is of particular importance to Muslims around the world, as it houses the black stone. Indeed, during their pilgrimage, believers must accomplish a number of circumambulance (also known as tawaf). Among these tawafs, they must touch the famous black stone so that it absorbs their sins.

While staying in Al Haram during your stay in Mecca, you will be at the heart of the most sacred place of prayer in Islam.

Arafat

During the pilgrimage (the hadj ), Muslims must perform several circumambulance around the Kaaba and the Great Mosque. One of them is prayer at Abraham’s station. This station is actually the Arafat hill located about 20 kilometres from Mecca. Loging to Mecca on the hill of Arafat allows you to take full part in this religious rite.

According to the Muslim tradition, it is here that Mohammed would have done his goodbyes to Muslims who accompanied him during the hadj . During the pilgrimage, hundreds of white tents welcome the faithful, coming to spend the night in Arafat. To fully accomplish the tawaf, Muslims must pray standing at the top of the hill from noon to midnight, just like Mohammed had done it before them.

Mina

Another stage of pilgrimage; the feast of the sacrifice that takes place in Mina on the 10th of the last Muslim month. If you're lucky to do it hadj At that time, you will know where to stay in Mecca. Mina is just five kilometres from Haram and is accessible by metro.

The feast of sacrifice is at the west entrance of the city at the Djamarat Bridge. Specifically, it is the ritual of the stoning of Satan’s stele. This ritual must take place between sunrise and sunset on the last day of the pilgrimage. On this occasion, the faithful must launch seven rocks on the three concrete blocks in Mina. It is a matter of hunting Satan who appeared in these places three times. The concrete blocks then represent Satan.

Al Aziziya

Al Aziziya is a more excited neighborhood allowing you to stay in Mecca with a more modest budget. Although further away from the great Mosque, Al Aziziya is still part of the sacred area of Mecca. As such, a prayer in this neighborhood is worth 100,000.

In addition to the Al Haram Mosque, Al Aziziya is located near Mina and the stele of Satan. This neighborhood is the center of several of the indispensable stages of the pilgrimage to Mecca.

And if you want to bring back a few memories of your trip to the holy city, know that many shopping centres are in Al Aziziya. You will find a wide variety of shops with food, clothing, cosmetics and electronics.

Jeddah

Last place to stay in Mecca; Jeddah. Located an hour from the Holy City, Jeddah is on the edge of the Red Sea. It is an excellent way to relax after several days of pilgrimage.

Every year, the city welcomes thousands of tourists who have come to enjoy the many activities to do in Jeddah. The most popular is the fountain of King Fahd. This is the highest water jet in the world. According to the wind force, it can rise up to 312 metres. The ideal is to observe the power of the jet once the night falls. Thanks to a game of lights, you will attend a dazzling show.

Jeddah also features an amusement park with Russian mountains and aquatic activities to satisfy the smallest and largest.

Nice stay in Mecca.