The city of Mecca is Islam’s holiest city where the faith itself began and is known to be the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
Mecca is home to the Great Mosque of Mecca, known as Masjid al-Haram. The mosque is a site of pilgrimage for the hajj which, if possible, every muslim should try to make at some point in their lives. Inside the Masjid al-Haram lies the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. The square building is covered in a cotton and silk veil and is the point where pilgrims gather upon arriving in Mecca.
To learn more about the history of Masjid al-Haram, the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques is a museum packed with relics from the two holy mosques; Masjid al-Haram as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Inside the museum you’ll find marble insignia, pillars and photos revealing its historic past. Items can be traced as far back as the 13th century Abbasid period. Two of the most famed objects include a pair of the Kaaba’s huge gilded metal doors and an ornate wooden stairwell on wheels, used by the Ottomans to gain access to the Kaaba in the 1820s.
Another sight of interest is the Cave of Thor. This small mountain is the place where the Prophet Muhammad sought refuge from the Quraysh tribe. Along with his companion Abu Bakr, the Prophet hid for three days inside the Cave of Thor. Islamic custom suggests that as the men were hiding in the cave, an acacia tree grew rapidly at the entrance. In the tree a dove then built a nest and laid eggs, a spider was then said to have spun a web over the entrance to the cave in order to protect the men hiding inside. The vast history surrounding the cave has since marked it as a sign of hope and faith. The mountain can be climbed, but it can be difficult to traverse. A slow pace is recommended and if you attempt the climb you should ensure you bring enough food and drink. The Cave of Thor is about 3 km south of the Grand Mosque. You can hire a minibus or coach to get you there in around 30 minutes.
Another important Islamic pilgrimage site is the Hira cave, located at the Jabal Al Nour. In Islamic tradition, it was at Hira cave that the archangel Gabriel gave the Prophet Muhammad his first revelation. To reach the cave, a tough hike is required, it can take experienced climbers around 2 hours so it’s important to exercise extreme caution if you’re planning on attempting the climb. Make sure you bring plenty of food and water as you can expect scorching temperatures of up to 45 degrees. The roads surrounding Jabal Al Nour are narrow and congested with a lot of traffic. Our experienced minibus hire and coach hire drivers will navigate the road with ease, so make your booking with us today to ensure you beat the traffic.
For a bite to eat, Paradise restaurant is the perfect location for a taste of the Middle East. You’ll find the joint hidden away in the city’s backstreets, close to the Masjid al-Haram. Be sure to try the local dish karahi, this meat is served with fresh flatbread or rice - and this cheap and cheerful dish is easy on the purse strings too.
Mecca is home to non-religious landmarks too, such as the Abraj Al Beit Towers. The towers contain a prayer hall and surprisingly, a five-storey shopping mall, so all your retail therapy needs will be catered to. These postmodern towers peer above the city of Al Masjid Al Haram standing at an impressive 601 metres tall.
Minibus hire or coach rental is the perfect choice for sightseeing tours to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the city’s hidden gems.