Abraj Al-Bait is the giant complex of towers facing the King Abdulaziz Gate of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Its centrepiece, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, is about 601 metres tall and one of the tallest buildings in the world, and the complex houses hotels, apartments, a large mall, prayer areas and the Clock Tower Museum.
For pilgrims it is above all a place to stay, eat and shop a few steps from the Haram. Makkah is open to Muslims only.
Plan your visit to Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Complex: free to enter; Makkah is for Muslims only
- Clock Tower Museum: timed tickets, afternoon to late evening
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours for the museum
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
History of Abraj Al-Bait Towers
The complex was developed as an endowment (waqf) project by the Saudi government and built by the Saudi Binladin Group from the early 2000s. It stands on the site of the Ottoman-era Ajyad Fortress, which was demolished in 2002, a decision that drew criticism at the time.
The clock was first switched on during Ramadan 2010, and the complex was completed in 2012. Each of the four clock faces is about 43 metres across, and the lit crescent at the top of the spire can be seen from far across the city.
Attractions at Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Makkah Royal Clock Tower: the central tower with the clock faces, topped by a gilded spire and crescent.
- Clock Tower Museum: exhibitions on astronomy, timekeeping and the engineering of the clock, with an outdoor terrace high on the tower overlooking the Haram.
- Hotels: several large hotels, including the Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower, many with rooms overlooking the mosque.
- Abraj Al-Bait mall: several floors of shops, food courts and supermarkets, busiest after the prayers.
Things to Do at Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Visit the Clock Tower Museum and terrace: a good way to understand the tower and see the Haram from above. Book a timed ticket in advance.
- Pray in the complex: when the Haram is full, worshippers often pray in the connected prayer areas and the surrounding plaza, following the imam of the Haram.
- Eat and shop: the mall is the easiest place near the Haram for meals, dates, prayer mats and other gifts.
- Be respectful with photos: avoid filming worshippers, and follow the photography rules in the museum.
Abraj Al-Bait Towers – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Who may visit: Muslims only, as the complex is in central Makkah.
- Mall and plaza: open daily from morning until late at night, with shops pausing at prayer times.
- Clock Tower Museum: generally open from the afternoon until late evening (shorter hours on Fridays); timed tickets for the museum and terrace are sold online. Hours change in Ramadan and the Hajj season, so check before you go.
Tickets and tours for Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Clock Tower Museum and terrace: timed entry on Klook
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Clock Tower Museum and terrace: about 1 to 2 hours.
- Mall: as long as you like; most pilgrims drop in between prayers.
How to Get There
- On foot: the complex faces the King Abdulaziz Gate of Masjid al-Haram, just across the plaza.
- By train: the Haramain High Speed Railway links Jeddah (including the airport station) and Madinah with Makkah station; take a taxi or bus from there.
- By taxi or ride-hailing: cars are often stopped short of the central area at busy times, so expect to walk the last part.
Arriving at Jeddah airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your hotel in Makkah, or take the Haramain train.
Eateries Nearby Abraj Al-Bait Towers
The Abraj Al-Bait mall has several food courts with Saudi, South Asian, Middle Eastern and international options, plus supermarkets, and the hotels in the towers have their own restaurants and buffets. Saudi chains such as Albaik have branches nearby.
Other Attractions Nearby Abraj Al-Bait Towers
- Masjid al-Haram: the Grand Mosque, directly opposite.
- The Kaaba: at the centre of the mosque, visible from the museum terrace.
- Zamzam Well: Zamzam water is available throughout the Haram.
- Mina and Mount Arafat: the Hajj sites east of the city.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Makkah: hotels around the Haram and in Ajyad are walkable to the mosque; prices peak in Ramadan and the Hajj season.
- Get a Saudi Arabia eSIM on Klook before you land, for maps, the Nusuk app and ride-hailing apps.
The Abraj Al-Bait Towers, crowned by the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, stand directly opposite Masjid al-Haram and give pilgrims hotels, food courts and shops within a few minutes’ walk of the Haram. The Clock Tower Museum and its terrace offer a view over the mosque and a look at the history of timekeeping.
Plan your time in the Haram with our guides to Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba.
