Do’s -

• Men should wear the Ihram and women should wear the Burqa while visiting. 

• Wear comfortable but light sandals which are easy to put on and take off.

• Get a string bag to carry your footwear inside mosques.

• Use lip cream as it will get dry.  A good moisturizer is essential along with sun cream.

• Be careful of the SAR riyals, as some of them look the same with different denominations.

• If you need to exchange your currencies, exchangers are the most busy right after any Salah prayers.

• To get your sim card, you need a passport.

• Carry some small snacks as travelling may make you hungry.

• Make sure you eat healthy food. The Clock Tower for the court area is a good, clean place for eating.

• Watch out for thieves and pickpockets who enter the Haram. 

• In Mecca, there is no proper eatery in the immigration lounge or anywhere near the area.

• There are special queues for the elderly, women, and kids

• In Mecca everything closes during salat (prayer time). Salat is strictly enforced, and can last up to 30 minutes.

•Many hotels don’t provide English service, so do your research beforehand.

• It is better to purchase all clothing that will be worn in Saudi Arabia online so that you can to step off the plane already dressed in traditional wear.

• Some rules in Saudi Arabia might seem very harsh, but it’s highly recommend that these rules be followed

• Be cautious when speaking in public as many controversial subjects are punishable under the law.

Don’ts -

• Do not try to argue with the staff as it can make matters worse.

• Carrying big bags inside the Masjid is prohibited to ensure that you don’t carry one.

• If you don’t know about how to do the Umrah, ask someone how to do it as it’s a religious thought.

• If you are sensitive to light bring sunglasses as it gets very bright at the Kaaba.

• There is not much food in the airport so if possible, bring foods and drinks from a cheap place.

• Bring an extra set of Ihram in case one gets dirty or you sweat too much.

• Travelling from Jeddah to Mecca takes a decent taxi or bus. Avoid shabby looking automobiles.

• In Mecca, a lot of construction goes on and there is also a lot of traffic so be careful while crossing streets.

• If you are a woman and planning to travel, it is highly recommended not to travel alone.

• The Mutaween (Saudi Arabian Religious Police) have all the rights to stop foreigners and demand proof that they are married.

• Men should wear conservative clothes that are not compromised of any gold or silk.

• Don’t wear shorts at the beach.

• Photographs should not be taken unless explicit permission has been provided by the owner of what is being photographed.

• If you are visiting Riyadh stay away from Deera Square on Friday afternoons as this is when most of the public executions take place. Foreigners are not welcome at these events.

Mecca is a religious city with travelers from all over the world visiting the Kaaba. Keeping the spiritual and religious aspect of the country in mind, nightclubs and bars are not authorized in the state. The sale and consumption of substances are completely prohibited, so unlike other cities, the nightlife in Mecca simply consists of the numerous shopping options available after sunset. All of the shopping centers, restaurants and bazaars in Mecca are open until midnight. Some high-end hotels have exclusive cafes to cater to tourists coming to the city. Since Saudi law forbids the sale and consumption of alcohol, bars do not serve alcohol. The city is all about spreading peace and religious values amongst the strong believers.

• Visit Mecca during Hajj.

• Circle the Kaaba, and kiss the Black Stone which is in the center of the Grand Mosque, according to tradition.

• Visit Abal al-Nour, “The Mountain of Light” or “Hill of Illumination” houses a cave where Prophet Muhammad spent a great deal of time meditating and he received his first revelation from God by the archangel Gabriel inside.

• Visit King Abdul-Aziz Athletic City: a large, multi-purpose stadium in Mecca used to host football matches.
• Enjoy the fast food below the Clock Tower.
• Participate in Mecca auctions.
• Discover the cave of Thor.
• Learn to cook traditional food of Mecca.
• Go scuba diving.
• Have a look at the Al Wahba Crater, which is a volcanic crater.
• Visit the Fakieh Aquarium.
• Visit the Taif zoo.

.• A Prayer Mat, Prayer Beads, Holy Qurans and bottles of Zamzam (only if the gift-reciever is Muslim).

• Light and soft mat made from cashmere.

• Gold in Makkah is known for its high Quality and value. You can purchase necklaces, rings, earrings, bangles with local designs.

•  Traditional clothing items such as thawbs/thobes or abayas and hijabs.

•  Real oud perfume, made from the wood of the tropical agar trees. It is one of the most expensive perfumes in the world it is available at a reasonable cost in Makkah.

• A natural toothbrush known as miswaak 

• Buy some ajwa Dates, which are grown in Medina and were said to be favoured by the Prophet Muhammed.

•  Dried fruits, spices, and chocolates.