OrangeSmile Tours
World most extreme places

Kaaba, Saudi Arabia

From series “Top Surviving Artifacts of Muslim Civilization”
Height: 13,1 m.

The Kaaba is the main Muslim shrine, which during hadj, gathers pilgrims all over the world. The Kaaba is an unusual and very harmonious temple of a cubic form, the walls of the temple are painted in black and adorned with elaborate painting with gilding. The height of the main Islamic shrine is 13.1 meters. For Muslims Kaaba is a kind of reference point, it is just the side, to which they turn their eyes every day during prayer. Until now, the exact date of the construction of the temple, as well as its founder, is for certain unknown.

Kaaba, Saudi Arabia At the beginning of the 7th century, the Kaaba underwent the first major reconstruction, each year the number of pilgrims became larger, so the area around the church gradually expanded. The shrine repeatedly suffered from floods and fires, after which its complete restructuring was required. According to some reports, during the time of its existence, the church was completely rebuilt 12 times. The Kaaba is one of the most inaccessible Islamic shrines, only a limited number of high-ranking representatives of religious communities can enter the temple.

For ordinary believers a huge area was equipped around the temple. On certain days they can come as close as possible to the temple and touch its walls. For adherents of other religious currents, the shrine is inaccessible. The area of free space around the temple today is about 193,000 square meters, at a time up to 400 000 people can accommodate in this area. In the period of the major religious holidays, hundreds of accidents are always registered on the square because of a huge number of parishioners. Next - Islamic Art Museum


Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel
  Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel   Islamic Art Museum, Egypt  
Islamic Art Museum, Egypt Islamic Art Museum, Egypt

Kaaba - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

Supermarket: 'Bin Dawood' in 0.37 km
Police station: 'Police Station' in 0.48 km
Railway station: 'Makkah Mass Rail Transit' in 3.58 km

Nearest airports:
 »  King Abdulaziz Airport JED - in 74 km
 Cities nearby

Best hotels near Kaaba

Nawazi Ajyad Hotel

Located in 0 km from Kaaba
Route on the map:
Rooms: 180
Rooms include wooden floors and a classic décor. Each has a TV, a tea/coffee maker, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Some offer views of the … More: photo, rates and booking
Nawazi Watheer Hotel

Located in 1 km from Kaaba
Route on the map:
Rooms: 398
Rooms include a TV and a tea/coffee maker. Each has a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bathrobe and hairdryer. Transportation from … More: photo, rates and booking
Rowaa Golden Hotel

Located in 2 km from Kaaba
Route on the map:
Rooms: 186
All units at Rowaa Golden Hotel are furnished with warm colours. Each room comes with a minibar, TV and private bathroom with a bath and shower. You … More: photo, rates and booking
Makarim Mina Hotel

Located in 3 km from Kaaba
Route on the map:
Rooms: 294
All rooms feature tiled floors. Each unit offers a seating area with a flat-screen TV and a minibar. The bathroom is fitted with a shower. Makkah … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

Abraj Al-Bait Towers
0 km - Abraj Al-Bait Towers
The most recognizable architectural landmark of Saudi Arabia is a complex Abraj Al Bait. That’s the world's heaviest network of buildings. This complex also features impressive height; it’s the highest in the country. Towers stream upwards for 558.7 meters. …
King Fahd Fountain
71 km - King Fahd Fountain
In Jeddah is the beautiful fountain, which was named in honor of King Fahd and opened in 1983. After opening, the unique fountain threw the water jet at the height of 120 meters and was recognized as the highest fountain in the world in 1983. Already two years later, …
Masjid an-Nabawi
339 km - Masjid an-Nabawi
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi mosque, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried, is the major religious symbol for Muslims. According to the history, the first mosque was built here at the times of the prophet’s life. Later the modest holy place was set up enormously under the …
Pyramids Nubian Desert
646 km - Pyramids Nubian Desert
The lifeless Nubian desert is a site of unique sights. The modern scientists have found that many more pyramids were built in Sudan than in Egypt a thousand years ago. The African deserts are the world's top rider after the number of the pyramid. Many, of the …
Dar Al-Hajar
783 km - Dar Al-Hajar
In Yemen, not far from the capital of the state, is the wonderful Palace Dar Al-Hajar, which recalls the beautiful palaces that can be seen in oriental fairy tales. The castle was built on the high rock and looks so harmonious that at first sight one can hardly see …
Danakil Desert
799 km - Danakil Desert
The Danakil Desert located in Ethiopia is incredibly popular among tourists, although it possesses threat. This desert is one of the hottest and most lifeless in the world. That’s a huge volcanic wasteland, in the territory of which the land has melted underfoot. The …

Top destination around Kaaba - Mecca

Don’t forget to attend local markets and shops during your vacation in Mecca as they offer a wide range of souvenirs and gifts for friends and family members. The majority of popular souvenirs have a connection with religion in some way or another. For example, the majority of shops offer white colored national clothes. It is also possible to purchase unique souvenirs, such as small flasks with holy water from the sacred Zamzam Well. It is important to mention that everyone can fill small bottles with water from the well on their own absolutely free of charge.

Traditional souvenir shops offer various fragrant oils and perfumes created on their basis. Female visitors simply cannot resist jewelry in the traditional Arabian style that often comes with precious and semiprecious stones. Beads, headwear in the national style, and special carpets for prayers handmade by local craftsmen are also popular categories of souvenirs. Visit local markets in order to shop for amazing oriental sweets. For example, travelers are simply in love with local figs. Of course, there are usual shopping centers in Mecca that offer clothes, accessories, and perfumes by internationally famous brands.
Read further...


OrangeSmile.com - online travel reservation expert providing reliable car rental and hotel booking services. We feature more than 25.000 destinations with 12.000 rental offices and 200.000 hotels worldwide.
Secure Server
OrangeSmile B.V. - Hotel Booking Worldwide
Head office: Weegschaalstraat 3 Eindhoven, 5632 CW Netherlands
+31 40 40 150 44


Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About us
Copyright © 2002 - OrangeSmile Tours B.V. | OrangeSmile.com | Under the direction and management of IVRA Holding B.V. - Registered at Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), The Netherlands No. 17237018