Makkah Ziyarat places to visit and how long each takes

What is a Makkah Ziyarat tour?

Makkah Ziyarat means visiting places in and around Makkah linked to the life of the Prophet ﷺ and the rites of Hajj. Ziyarat is not part of Umrah and none of these visits is required, but a morning at these sites helps you understand the history behind the rites.

Most sites are between 2 and 25 km from the Haram, so a car with a driver who waits at each stop is the practical way to see them. The table below shows how long to allow at each place.

How long does each Makkah Ziyarat place take?

Distances are approximate road distances from the Haram. Times are for the visit itself; add driving time between sites.

Jabal al-Nour and Jabal Thawr: climb or view from below?

Jabal al-Nour holds the Cave of Hira, where the first revelation came to the Prophet ﷺ. The climb is steep, and most visitors take 45 to 90 minutes to reach the cave. Go after Fajr or in the late afternoon to avoid the heat. The Hira Cultural District at the foot of the mountain has a museum and visitor facilities, so elderly family members can wait there while others climb.

Jabal Thawr, south of Makkah, holds the cave where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr sheltered during the Hijrah to Madinah. The climb is longer and harder than Jabal al-Nour, so carry water and wear proper shoes. Most families view the mountain from the base and continue the tour.

Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat: the Hajj sites by car

Mina is the valley of white tents where pilgrims stay during Hajj and stone the Jamarat. Your driver can point out the Jamarat bridge and Masjid al-Khayf. Muzdalifah lies between Mina and Arafat, with Masjid al-Mash'ar al-Haram, and is a short stop on the same route.

Arafat is the plain where pilgrims stand on the Day of Arafah. Jabal al-Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy, rises in its centre, and Masjid Namirah stands at its western edge. The plain is large, so a car is the easiest way to see it. Access to all three sites is restricted in the days around Hajj, and Masjid al-Khayf and Masjid Namirah may not be open outside Hajj season.

Which places are close to the Haram?

Jannat al-Mu'alla is the historic cemetery of Makkah, where Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet ﷺ, is buried. Visiting hours can be limited and access rules for women may differ, so check on the day. Masjid al-Jinn is nearby and marks the place associated with the jinn listening to the Quran, mentioned in Surah al-Jinn. The two are often combined in a short visit after Fajr, as traffic is heavy before prayer times.

Masjid Aisha and Al-Ji'ranah for another Umrah

Masjid Aisha at Al-Tan'eem is the nearest Miqat for people already in Makkah who want to enter Ihram for another Umrah. Washrooms and changing areas are available, and the driver waits while you change and pray. Al-Ji'ranah, north-east of Makkah, is less crowded; allow about 30 minutes each way by car. Our Miqat guide for car travellers explains which Miqat applies when.

Kiswah complex and the Two Holy Mosques museum

In Umm al-Joud, the King Abdulaziz Complex makes the Kiswah, the cloth that covers the Kaaba, and the exhibition nearby shows the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques. Visits may need prior arrangement, so ask us and we check before you go. Allow at least an hour inside. It is a good choice for families with children.

How to plan your Makkah Ziyarat morning

• Start after Fajr, when sites are cooler and roads are quieter.
• A classic route without climbs: Jabal al-Nour and Jabal Thawr from the base, then Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, in about 3 to 4 hours.
• Add one to two hours if anyone wants to climb to the Cave of Hira.
• Book an hourly driver: from SAR 80 per hour in a sedan or SAR 150 per hour in a family van, with a 3-hour minimum.
• Carry water, wear comfortable shoes and avoid the midday sun in summer.
• Avoid the days around Hajj, when access to Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat is restricted.
• For a full day, add a Taif day trip by the Al Hada road, about 90 minutes each way from Makkah.