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The Clock Towers

Building

The Abraj Al-Bait Clock Towers rise beside Mecca's Grand Mosque, providing hotel rooms, prayer facilities and a giant clock visible across the city. Pilgrims use the complex for accommodation and close access to Masjid al-Haram.

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In this guide

The Clock Towers essentials

Address: Abraj Al Bait (Makkah Royal Clock Tower), King Abdul Aziz End, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Website: abrajalarabiacompany.com
Admission: Varies - hotel rates in Abraj Al‑Bait/clock tower complex; observation access and museum areas may have separate fees
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About The Clock Towers

The Clock Towers (Abraj Al-Bait) are a government-owned mixed-use development complex in Mecca, situated directly beside the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). The main clock tower - the Makkah Royal Clock Tower - was completed in the early 2010s and is one of the tallest buildings in the world.

The complex includes a very large clock tower with four illuminated clock faces that are among the largest of any building, a high-rise hotel, extensive prayer facilities and a retail podium. The tower contains an observation level and services aimed at pilgrims, and the podium provides direct pedestrian access to the Grand Mosque.

The towers were developed in the 2000s and completed in the early 2010s as part of a large-scale redevelopment to expand accommodation and services near the Grand Mosque. The project was built by major Saudi contractors and has been used since opening to house pilgrims, commercial businesses and government facilities.

The complex stands immediately to the west of Masjid al-Haram in central Mecca, Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, forming a dominant feature on the city skyline and serving as a major landmark for pilgrims arriving in the holy city.

  • Access: Tickets or hotel reservations are usually required to access the tower observation areas and some internal facilities.
  • Best viewpoints: The best exterior views for photography are from the outer esplanades of the Grand Mosque and the surrounding elevated roads at sunset.

What to See#

  • Makkah Royal Clock Tower: The tallest tower of the complex, completed in the early 2010s, contains hotel accommodation, an observation level and a lunar observation centre used for determining the Islamic calendar.
  • Abraj Al-Bait shopping and prayer complex: A multi-level retail and service podium directly linked to the Grand Mosque, offering prayer halls and shops for pilgrims.
  • Prayer halls and mosque access: Large public prayer halls and direct pedestrian access onto the courtyard of the Grand Mosque, used by pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit The Clock Towers

Visits are determined by religious calendars; non‑Muslims cannot enter the Grand Mosque precinct. Cooler months are more comfortable but the complex is busiest during Ramadan and Hajj.

Winter and spring (cooler months)
November-March · 15-30°C
More comfortable temperatures for pilgrims and visitors outside of the Hajj peak.
Summer
April-October · 30-45°C
Very hot; Hajj season timing and Ramadan can make travel extremely busy.

Weather & Climate near The Clock Towers

Climate

The Clock Towers's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 18°C to 42°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 180 Unhealthy
Best Time to Visit
MarchJanuaryFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
49°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 18° - 29° 23° 12 mm mostly sunny 49% 2.4 m/s 1.3 high 10.9h
February Ideal 18° - 30° 24° 6 mm clear 43% 2.7 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
March Ideal 20° - 33° 27° 8 mm clear 35% 3.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
April Excellent 24° - 37° 30° 3 mm clear 31% 2.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.5h
May Excellent 27° - 40° 33° 8 mm clear 23% 2.8 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.0h
June Excellent 28° - 42° 35° 1 mm clear 17% 2.8 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.3h
July Excellent 29° - 42° 35° 1 mm mostly sunny 23% 2.7 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.2h
August Excellent 29° - 41° 35° 3 mm mostly sunny 29% 2.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.7h
September Excellent 28° - 41° 34° 2 mm mostly sunny 26% 2.3 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 25° - 38° 31° 5 mm clear 31% 2.2 m/s 1.8 very high 11.5h
November Ideal 22° - 34° 28° 25 mm clear 45% 2.2 m/s 1.4 high 11.0h
December Ideal 19° - 31° 25° 18 mm clear 50% 2.4 m/s 1.2 high 10.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to The Clock Towers

The Clock Towers are in the central Mecca district just a short walk from the Grand Mosque (al‑Haram). Access to Mecca is restricted to Muslims; the city is served by Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) about 65-80 km away and by domestic flights to Ta’if. During Hajj and Ramadan, transport is heavily scheduled by Saudi authorities.

Tips for Visiting The Clock Towers

  • Respect local customs: the complex is in the heart of Mecca and access to the Grand Mosque area is restricted to Muslims only.
  • Book hotel rooms in the Abraj Al‑Bait well in advance especially during Hajj and Ramadan.
  • For views of the Kaaba and crowd movement, timing matters: prayers and Hajj season change access patterns drastically.