Mecca
City in Saudi Arabia
Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia with a population of about 2.4 million people as of 2022. Located 790 km from the capital city of Riyadh, it is known for its significant religious sites.
What to see
The city contains several major sites. Central to the city is Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Kaaba and Maqam Ibrahim. Other notable locations include the historic cemetery Jannat al-Mu'alla, as well as the sites of Mount Arafat and Mina. Visitors also look at the Cave of Hira, Jabal Thawr, and the Mecca Gate.
When to go
Mecca experiences hot weather throughout the year. Temperatures are lowest from December to February, with daily highs between 27 °C and 29 °C. From April through October, daily highs regularly exceed 36 °C, reaching up to 41 °C in June. Rainfall is generally low, with the highest precipitation occurring in November and December, though even then it remains minimal at around 22 mm to 28 mm.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Taif International Airport, located 75 km away.
Top sights in Mecca
Weather by month
The warmest month is June, with an average high of 41 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 27 | 29 | 32 | 36 | 39 | 41 | 40 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 32 | 28 |
| Average low, °C | 16 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 17 |
| Rainfall, mm | 18 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 22 |
| Rainy days | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Mecca (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Cave of Hira
- Jabal Thawr
- Mecca Gate