Mina is the valley a few kilometres east of Masjid al-Haram, within the Haram of Makkah, where pilgrims stay during the days of Hajj. Known as the City of Tents, it is home to the Jamarat, where pilgrims perform the stoning ritual, and to the historic Masjid al-Khayf.
Mina is part of the sacred area of Makkah and is open to Muslims only.
Plan your visit to Mina
- Entry: free; for Muslims only
- Hajj stay: 8 and 10 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, permit required
- Ziyarah visit: under an hour
History of Mina
In Islamic tradition, Mina is linked to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham): when he set out to fulfil Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Isma’il, Shaytan tried to dissuade him, and he drove him away with stones at three places. Pilgrims commemorate this at the three Jamarat. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stayed in Mina during his Farewell Pilgrimage, and the Pledges of Aqabah, which preceded the Hijrah to Madinah, took place near here.
For centuries pilgrims pitched their own tents. After a major fire in 1997, the Saudi authorities installed permanent fire-resistant, air-conditioned tents, and the old Jamarat pillars were replaced by long walls within the multi-level Jamarat Bridge to improve safety.
Attractions at Mina
- The Jamarat Bridge: a multi-storey structure housing the three Jamarat (al-Ula, al-Wusta and al-Aqabah), with one-way ramps to manage the flow of pilgrims.
- The tent city: tens of thousands of white fire-resistant tents, organised into camps by country and Hajj service company.
- Masjid al-Khayf: the historic mosque of Mina, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed during Hajj.
Things to Do at Mina
- Day of Tarwiyah (8 Dhul Hijjah): pilgrims go to Mina and pray there before setting off for Arafat the next morning.
- Ramy al-Jamarat: on 10 Dhul Hijjah pilgrims stone Jamarat al-Aqabah, and on the days of Tashreeq (11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah) all three, at the times allocated to their camp.
- Udhiyah (sacrifice): most pilgrims now arrange the Hajj sacrifice through the official Adahi programme or their Hajj provider rather than in person.
- Follow your group’s schedule: Jamarat times are allocated to camps to manage crowds, so stick to them.
Mina – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Who may visit: Muslims only; Mina lies inside the Haram of Makkah.
- Hajj: staying in Mina during Hajj requires a Hajj permit through official channels; the camps are only for registered pilgrims.
- Outside Hajj: the tents stand empty for most of the year, there is no entry fee, and Muslims in Makkah can pass through on a ziyarah of the holy sites.
How Long to Spend at Mina
- Hajj: from 8 Dhul Hijjah, then the days of Tashreeq after Eid, usually 11 and 12 Dhul Hijjah, with some pilgrims staying for the 13th.
- Ziyarah visit: a short stop of under an hour, usually combined with Muzdalifah and Arafat.
How to Get There
- During Hajj: by your Hajj provider’s buses, on foot along the pedestrian routes from Makkah, or on the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah metro line, which links Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat during the Hajj season only.
- Outside Hajj: by taxi, ride-hailing app or private car from central Makkah, typically 10 to 20 minutes.
Arriving at Jeddah airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your hotel in Makkah, or take the Haramain train.
Eateries Nearby Mina
During Hajj, meals are provided in the camps by your Hajj service company, and stalls operate along the main routes. Outside the season there is little open in Mina itself, so eat in central Makkah around Masjid al-Haram.
Other Attractions Nearby Mina
- Muzdalifah: between Mina and Arafat, where pilgrims spend the night after Arafah and collect pebbles.
- Mount Arafat: the site of the Day of Arafah.
- Masjid al-Haram: for Tawaf al-Ifadah after the stoning.
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.
Mina is the City of Tents in the Haram of Makkah, where pilgrims stay during Hajj and perform Ramy al-Jamarat at the multi-level Jamarat Bridge. Outside the Hajj season it is quiet, and Muslims staying in Makkah can pass through on a ziyarah.
Continue along the Hajj route with our guides to Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat.