Masjid al-Haram, also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca or the Grand Mosque, stands in the city of Mecca in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest mosque in Islam, and it is the place towards which Muslims around the world turn in prayer.
What you will see
At the heart of the complex is the Kaaba, the focal point of the mosque and of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The sacred complex is vast and can accommodate over two million worshippers at once, so even on a busy day the open spaces and courtyards feel expansive.
Planning your visit
- Address: Masjid Al Haram, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia
- Telephone: +966-12-540-0000
- Who it suits: Visitors who come for worship and reflection, and those interested in the religious life of the city
This is a place of worship first. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and to behave with the respect the setting calls for. Because the mosque draws very large crowds, especially during Hajj and the month of Ramadan, it is worth allowing extra time to move through the site and to check ahead for any restrictions that apply on the day you plan to go.
Around the mosque
Masjid al-Haram anchors the city of Mecca, and much of the local life, from its hotels and shops to its markets and streets, is organised around the pilgrimage. Many travellers combine a visit to the mosque with time spent exploring the surrounding neighbourhoods and getting a sense of how the city lives around its holiest site.