Mecca is the holiest city in the world of Islam and is home to the largest and holiest mosques in the world. Every year, millions of people from all around the world visit Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is an obligation for all Muslims. However, while fulfilling a sacred duty, shopping in Mecca will let you return home with some incredible souvenirs. There are ample shopping options here, which range from the traditional markets to shopping centers. As this is the religious capital of the Islamic world, here you can buy prayer mats, prayer beads, Holy Qurans, and bottles of Zamzam water.
Shopping in Mecca: Explore the Fabulous Markets for Amazing Souvenirs
If you are in Mecca and looking for gifts for your loved ones, you’ll find plenty of options. This magnificent city is an amazing place for shopping with its glamorous malls and bustling markets. The shops here offer the best quality of local handicrafts, souvenirs, and several other items. Specially during Ramadan, one must experience shopping in Mecca for its amazing vibes of celebration all around. There are a large number of shops in the city where you can experience several delightful shopping experiences. Below we have listed some of the best souvenirs that you can purchase from Mecca.
- Prayer Mats: Reminding Your Spiritual Journey
- Dates: Savor this Delicious and Healthy Fruit
- Attar: Enjoy the Aroma of Natural Perfumes
- Prayer Beads: To Embrace the Spiritual Practice
- Zamzam water: Known for its Purity, Cooling & Refreshing Nature
- Abaya: A Symbol of Purity and Dignity
1. Prayer Mats: Reminding Your Spiritual Journey
If you are in Mecca and looking to buy some souvenirs, then you must buy prayer mats that are also ultimate comfort rugs. These prayer rugs can also be a perfect gift for your loved ones. These are rectangular in shape and have an attractive design with an arch on them. Also, they appear in a variety of forms and are decorated with Islamic symbols and religious designs. It comes in beautiful, bright colors with quality crafts and looks perfect with wooden or marble floors.
Where to buy: One can get the prayer mat from the famous religious good store Nusuki Hadaya Shop located in Jabal Omar Mall, Ash Shubaikah, Ibrahim Al Khalil, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia.
2. Dates: Savor this Delicious and Healthy Fruit
Dates are an iconic symbol of hospitality in Mecca and are a necessary element of their daily life. There are approximately 3,000 different types of dates in the world, and they are one of the healthiest fruits to consume. From Ajwa and Khudri to Safawi and Barhi, you will have several options to choose from. One can easily shop for dates in any of the shopping places in Mecca. These are the most nutritious dry fruits with natural sweetness and are also regarded as the holy fruit in the Middle East. Every variety of date has its own unique benefits and is high in calories and rich in potassium and iron.
Where to buy: Dates can be purchased from the famous date market in Mecca located in 9RC4+27R, Al Kakiyyah, Unnamed Road, Mecca 24352, Saudi Arabia.
3. Attar: Enjoy the Aroma of Natural Perfume
Whether it’s a festival, a ceremony, a ritual, or celebration, perfumes and fragrances are essential for everyone. Specially, in Islamic dynasties perfumes or attars are respected as an identity of majesty, glory and honor. Its typically pure essential oils or absolutes derived from natural sources and are highly concentrated perfumes. If you are in Mecca and looking for some souvenirs, then attar is the best thing for you. You can easily buy it from the local shops or the shops in the Makkah Mall. These natural oils are processed into a wood base, like sandalwood, and then aged to make a beautiful scent.
Where to buy: One can buy attar in Mecca from the famous Al Haramain Perfume shop at 3rd Ring Rd, 21°25'13. 39°49'25.1"E, Mecca Saudi Arabia.
4. Prayer Beads: To Embrace the Spiritual Practice
Beads have always been an integral element of religion, particularly in Islam. These were utilized by numerous cultures and regions of the world and are most commonly known as Tasbih. It is regarded as the origin of heavenly good energy and has numerous varieties as well. You can buy the completely holy ones to pray with or choose the colorful ones for your decorations. Also, you can purchase prayer beads as gifts for members of your family and close friends in addition to yourself. If you are visiting any of the mosques in Makkah, buying these traditional beads is the best thing to do.
Where to buy: The traditional prayer beads can be purchased from Nusuki Hadaya Shops at Jabal Omar Mall, Ash Shubaikah, Ibrahim Al Khalil, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia.
5. Zamzam Water: Known for Its Purity, Cooling & Refreshing Nature
Muslims consider Zamzam water as a sanctified holy water. The source of this water is the Zamzam well, which is situated inside Masjid-al-Haram in Mecca, one of the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia. The Al-Kaaba, considered to be the holiest shrine in Islam, is 20 metres to the east of the well. Both the benefits and history of Zamzam water underscore the water's sacred significance. Each year, millions of Muslim pilgrims travel to either the Umrah or the Hajj to see the Zamzam well. They drink the water to slake their thirst and bathe in it.
Where to buy: Once can buy Zamzam water in Mecca from the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz ZamZam Water Distribution Center located at 9RQF+72M، التقوى،, Mecca 24233, Saudi Arabia.
6. Abaya: A Symbol of Purity and Dignity
In Islamic culture, it is common practice for women to don an overgarment that nearly completely encloses their bodies. This outfit is known as an abaya in nations on the Arabian Peninsula. The abaya often comes in black and hangs from the head or shoulders all the way to the feet. The abaya is worn with the niqab, a veil that covers the entire head and face with the exception of the eyes, in Saudi Arabia, where it is required that women cover themselves. Buying these beautiful abayas, which actually stand for purity and symbolize dignity, is one of the best things to do in Mecca.
Where to buy: Abayas can be purchased from the famous Open Market for Abaya and Women Clothing located at 4537, 8410, Al Hindawiyyah, Mecca 24232, Saudi Arabia.
So, get ready to have a spiritual experience in the holy city of Mecca while shopping for the best souvenirs. The glamorous malls and bustling markets make shopping in Mecca a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here you can purchase some exciting gifts for your loved ones, which include beautiful prayer mats, perfumes or attars, and delicious dates. Avail yourself of the best Saudi Arabia tour packages, to explore amazing cities like Mecca. Also, Saudi is a traveler's delight with its beautiful beaches, mountains, traditions, and culture. It has amazing topography as well, which makes it worth visiting at least once.
Shopping in Mecca - FAQs
There are several famous things that you can buy in Mecca. Below we have listed some of them -
- Dates
- Perfume
- Prayer mats
- Prayer beads
- Zamzam water
One can buy prayer mats from the religious good store Nusuki Hadaya Shop located in Jabal Omar Mall, Ash Shubaikah, Ibrahim Al Khalil, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia. These prayer rugs can also be the best gift for your loved ones.
The Kaaba or Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the most sacred holy place of Islam is the most important site in Mecca. It is known as one of the destinations of the hajj and umrah pilgrimages and receives millions of worshippers each year.
The best time to visit Mecca is from the month of November to February. This is the time when the weather is mild and the temperature remains average. You must avoid summer to visit Saudi Arabia as the temperature is very hot.
There are several varieties of dates like Ajwa, Safawi, Sukkari, Khadrawy, Anbara, Mabroom and Sagai. These are the most important and oldest fruits associated with Middle East and the Islamic history.
Zamzam water is a holy water that Muslims use for religious and medicinal purposes. Millions of pilgrims drink it and bring it as a gift for their relatives and friends when they return home. It is scientifically proven to have high levels of Calcium and Magnesium which decreases fatigue.
The traditional prayer beads in Mecca can be purchased from the Nusuki Hadaya Shops at Jabal Omar Mall, Ash Shubaikah, Ibrahim Al Khalil, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia. These are utilized by numerous cultures and regions of the world.
Saudi Arabia is famous for its stunning cities which makes it a great place to wander around. The exotic landscapes, amazing topography to admire at, beautiful beaches and mountains make this place a worth visit.
