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Cultural Norms

Mecca

Copyright: NEOM/unsplash
DESTINATIONS saudi arabia mecca Tourist Information Cultural Norms

Cultural Norms

When strolling and exploring the city, please ensure you wear appropriate attire. Women must be covered from neck to toes, and in certain areas, scarves are used to cover the face and head. Shorts and tank tops should not be worn outside of private accommodation by women. For men, loose clothing is recommended, and shorts are prohibited. When visiting, please make sure to respect and abide by the laws and culture of the country.

Useful Information

Tourist Information

Can I visit Mecca as a Tourist? Copyright: Indra Projects/unsplash
Can I visit Mecca as a Tourist?
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, and Saudi law strictly forbids non-Muslims from entering it. Documents will be checked upon entry at dedicated checkpoints, and non-Muslims will be redirected to a motorway that bypasses the city. Pilgrims must show proof of being Muslim (a certificate is needed for those converted to Islam) and …
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Cultural Norms Copyright: NEOM/unsplash
Cultural Norms
When strolling and exploring the city, please ensure you wear appropriate attire. Women must be covered from neck to toes, and in certain areas, scarves are used to cover the face and head. Shorts and tank tops should not be worn outside of private accommodation by women. For men, loose clothing is recommended, and …
Read more
Passport / Visa Copyright: mana5280/unsplash
Passport / Visa
Saudi Arabia introduced a new eVisa system in October 2019, dramatically simplifying visa applications for citizens of multiple world countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and much of Europe. The new multiple-entry visa will be processed within record time (as quickly as 30 minutes), issued for one year, and will allow visitors …
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Best Time to Visit Copyright: Blue Art/unsplash
Best Time to Visit
The weather in Mecca is hot and dry year round, but there is some variation between summer and winter. Most tourists and pilgrims visit Mecca during the somewhat cooler winter months, avoiding the city during the hottest period (from June to August). Mecca sees almost no precipitation, and winds are usually very calm. This, …
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King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) Copyright: Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is located in Jeddah and is the largest airport in Saudi Arabia. Often called "the gateway to Mecca", it has a dedicated terminal for Hajj, which is active during Hajj season, during the last month of the Islamic calendar, to help accommodate the vast number of pilgrims. Buses and …
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Public Transport Copyright: asap jpeg/pexels
Public Transport
The best way to get to Mecca is by car or bus from Jeddah. Saptco is the company that runs intercity transportation in Saudi Arabia and they provide regular bus lines from Jeddah to Mecca. There is also a metro line in Mecca, with plans to be expanded to four, but it only operates during …
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Taxi Copyright: Samuel Isaacs/unsplash
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the Jeddah Airport and in Mecca, but for moving around in the city, especially during Hajj season, it is more advisable to just walk, as traffic is congested. A taxi ride from Jeddah to Mecca takes one hour, depending on the …
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Pharmacy Copyright: Diana Polekhina/unsplash
Pharmacy
Common medications are readily available over the counter in most pharmacies, which are often located in malls, hospitals, and stand-alone shops. Prescription is needed for more potent medications. Nahdi pharmacy is a well-known …
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Post Office Copyright: Ali Bakhtiari/unsplash
Post Office
Saudi Post offices are usually open from Sunday to Thursday 8am–4pm, aligning with the standard workweek in Saudi Arabia. Some branches may also be open on Saturdays. Services typically include mailing and parcel delivery, financial transactions, and the sale of postal …
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Telephone Copyright: Miryam León/unsplash
Telephone
Country code: +966 Area code: …
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Electricity Copyright: Mike Winkler/unsplash
Electricity
You'll find a variety of electrical sockets in Saudi Arabia, The most common are Type A (two flat parallel pins, commonly used in North and Central America) and Type G (three rectangular prongs in a triangular pattern, used in the UK). Type C, Known as the Europlug, can also be found. Saudi Arabia is …
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