06 Jul, 26
by Muslims Holy Travel
Best areas to stay in Makkah for Umrah
The accommodation style of your sacred journey can significantly impact your overall experience. Of course, different pilgrims have different priorities according to their needs. Some wants short distance to the Haram and some want quiet and peace. Moreover, some of them want family-friendly place while others seek budget-friendly ones. Nevertheless, you can plan more easily if you know which place you should reserve for your journey. Before choosing a hotel, you must understand the difference between the accommodation zones of Makkah as it has many. Unfortunately, many pilgrims book their accommodation without researching the area and ruin their experience. The following details will give you a brief idea about each accommodation zone of the city. These zones are divided according to their distance from the holy mosque and budget along with crowd levels and peacefulness. It will help you decide which area in Makkah is best for your journey.
Selecting the Right Area in Makkah is Important
It can be a tricky thing to choose the perfect area in this city for your spiritual journey. However, once you understand what matters the most, you can easily choose an area for your stay. The following four things are important when it comes to selecting an area to live in Makkah.
Distance from the Haram
The distance from the holy mosque is the first thing every pilgrim checks when they choose an area to live. And it is the most important thing for many obvious reasons. You will have to walk or travel in heat to reach the mosque daily. It can ruin your health if you continuously expose yourself to intense heat. But some experienced pilgrims suggest that either choose hotels that are closer to the haram or those that offer shuttle service.
High Crowd Density
It can be a big issue if someone finds it difficult to deal with bigger crowds. There are areas in this city where crowd density is very high. Moreover, shops open late in these areas and it can be difficult to walk. Similarly, there are areas with medium crowd density where you can move more easily. Additionally, the areas with lower crowd density offer more peace and less congestion.
Budget
Your budget is the most important factor that can decide what kind of journey you’ll have. Mostly, pilgrims prefer to stay closer to the Haram. But, it can be expensive and sometimes you might get smaller rooms. Meanwhile, if you select hotels away from the mosque then you can find bigger rooms at lower prices. That’s why you have to be careful about your budget before you search for accommodation.
Peacefulness
Many pilgrims just ignore this factor from their decision making process but it is a very important one. Choosing an area with high crowd density can affect your peace because you will hear constant noise. Besides, it can also affect your sleep cycle and you might face difficulty focusing on your rituals.
Best Areas to Stay in Makkah
Here is a brief idea about each area of the city regarding the four factors discussed above.
Haram Central Area (Closest to Masjid al-Haram)
This area is the closest to Masjid al-Haram and that means the crowd density here will be very high. You will reach the mosque in one to five minutes from each side of this area. Moreover, the peacefulness will be very low and you will need to deal with constant noise here. However, there are advantages of this area as it is the best option for first-timers and elderly pilgrims. They can return to their room without any hassle after praying. Furthermore, it is the central area so pilgrims will find many restaurants and shopping centres.
Also, the prices will be very high especially during the peak season for Umrah. Some of the best hotels near Haram are Conrad and Hilton Suites if you are looking for mid-range options. And the best luxury hotels in Makkah are Clock Tower Hotel and Fairmont Hotel along with Raffles. Also, this is the area where you won’t find budget-friendly hotels because of obvious reasons. That’s why if you want to select this area for your journey then you should be ready for higher prices. Even in the off-peak season, the hotels in this area are relatively more expensive than the ones that are located at a longer distance from the haram.
Ajyad District
This area is little far away from the holy mosque but you still can reach there in minutes. However, the crowd density will be lower compared to the central area. Although the difference will not be a lot but it will be one notch down compared to the central area. Apart from that, the peacefulness will be higher and you can get budget friendly hotels here. This area is very suitable for families and couples because of the convenience the accommodations here offer. Moreover, it is suitable for those pilgrims seeking affordable accommodations and a shorter distance from the Haram. There are multiple advantages of this area such as you would not have to walk longer distances in order to reach the sacred sites.
Also, there are so many hotels so you get a lot of choices for your accommodation. And you will also get a variety of restaurants here and they will not be very expensive. Furthermore, you will also get cheap transportation in this part of the city. Additionally, there are several shopping centres where you can buy everyday items which every family needs. You will find a number of affordable hotels near Haram in this area. However, if you are looking for a luxury option then you can consider Pullman ZamZam. And consider Emaar Grand along with Elaf Ajyad for mid-range options.
Ibrahim Khalil Road
This area is the most peaceful area in the entire city where crowd density is very low. Moreover, the distance from the mosque is still very short and offers maximum peace. You will not have to deal with noise or constant disturbance which bigger crowds create. This area also makes a suitable option for families with kids and for pilgrims seeking a longer stay. Also, this area is for those pilgrims seeking comfort and peace during their Umrah stay. You will get to see wider roads here which you might not find anywhere else. The crowd will be very moderate here so you won’t face any congestion or noise.
Furthermore, there are many hotels here where you can book excellent rooms at very friendly prices. And this is also one of those areas where you can find cheap transportation. The biggest advantage of this area is that you will find numerous family accommodations. However, you will also be able to find some of the most suitable luxury hotels in this area. Pilgrims looking for the finest luxury hotel should consider Hilton Convention and Conrad. Besides, those pilgrims who want mid-range hotels can go for Jabal Omar hotels. These options offer very reliable and best services that will make your journey comfortable and peaceful.
Aziziyah District
It is the most peaceful area in the entire city of Makkah which means the crowd density will be lowest here. It also means that the distance from the holy mosque will be relatively longer. This area is most suitable for students or pilgrims seeking friendly budget options. Moreover, it is also suitable for the pilgrims undertaking this journey with a group. The advantages of this area include affordable hotels with bigger rooms. Also, there are so many restaurants where you can eat healthy meals at very low prices.
Furthermore, you can move through the street very easily because there will be no crowds. The hotels in this area also offer shuttle services so pilgrims can easily reach the Haram. Also, you will find taxi services here that will be cheap and very affordable transportation. You may not find many luxury hotels here but there will be so many budget friendly hotels. However, those pilgrims looking for mid-range options can choose Violet Hotel and Copthorne Makkah.
Final Verdict
This was a brief idea about each area in Makkah so you can choose your accommodation according to your requirements. Primarily, you should allocate a budget to your accommodation in Makkah so you would know which area is suitable for your journey. Secondly, consider the walking distance from your hotel instead of straight line distance. Moreover, you should read online reviews of recent guests of the hotel before selecting it. To reserve the best accommodation for your Umrah journey, book your plan with Muslims Holy Travel. It is one of the best travel agencies working in the UK that deals with Umrah journeys. They offer incredible all inclusive Umrah deals and tailored packages to make your journey affordable and comfortable.
FAQs
1. Which area is best to stay in Makkah for first-time Umrah pilgrims?
The Haram Central Area is the best area in Makkah for first-time Umrah pilgrims because they will not have to walk a longer distance to reach the Haram. Moreover, they will find all the necessary things near them as there are lots of markets and shops in this area. It will help them avoid longer travel and they will not get lost. Also, staying near the mosque will help them attend five prayers without any struggle.
2. What is the most peaceful area to stay in Makkah?
Pilgrims who seek a peaceful area to stay in Makkah should consider Aziziyah and Ibrahim Khalil Road. Both of these areas are very peaceful and offer great value. These areas experience lower crowds, less traffic, and offer a very calm atmosphere. You will not have to deal with constant noise and will be able to get proper rest for your journey. The only setback is that both of these areas are far away from the mosque, so pilgrims would need to use a shuttle or a taxi to reach the holy mosque.
3. Are there affordable hotels near Masjid al-Haram?
Yes. There are multiple affordable hotels located near the Masjid al-Haram. Most of these hotels can be found in Ajyad District and Ibrahim Khalil Road. Ajyad is very close to the Haram, where you only need to walk for a few minutes to reach the mosque. Moreover, these areas offer great quality in terms of affordable hotels. However, booking in advance will help you get many advantages and you will be able to save a lot of money on your reservations.
4. Is it better to stay close to Masjid al-Haram or farther away?
It depends on your choice, convenience, and style of your journey. It is obvious that staying closer to the Haram will save time and energy, but you will have to pay more money. Moreover, staying closer will allow elderly pilgrims to avoid hectic walks. But you will also get to use smaller rooms with hotels that are closer to the Haram. On the other hand, hotels those are away from the Haram offer bigger rooms and quieter surroundings.
5. How far in advance should I book my hotel in Makkah?
It is advisable to book your hotel at least three to six months before you take your Umrah journey. Moreover, if you want to take this journey during peak season such as Ramadan or school holidays, then you should consider booking at least six to seven months earlier. These reservations will allow you to book bigger rooms and luxurious hotels at very friendly prices. The biggest advantages of these reservations are that you will get bigger rooms and a preferred location but at a very friendly budget.
6. What factors should I consider before choosing a hotel for Umrah?
Before booking your hotel, you should form a realistic budget for your journey because it will also define the quality of your travel. You need to measure the distance from the Haram, and it should be shorter. Also, you should consider the peacefulness and crowd intensity of the area where your hotel is located. Moreover, you need to read the recent reviews of the guests of your hotel so you have an idea about their services.
