The Clock Towers — Attraction in Makkah Al Mukarramah

The Clock Towers (Arabic: أبراج الساعة, romanized: ʾAbrāj al-Sāʿaẗ, lit. 'Towers of the Clock', formerly known as Arabic: أبراج البيت, romanized: ʾAbrāj al-Bayt, lit. 'Towers of the House'), is a government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These towers are part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project that aims to modernize the city in catering to its pilgrims. The central hotel tower, which is the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, is the fourth-tallest building and sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.7] The clock tower contains the Clock Tower Museum that occupies the top four floors of the tower.[8]

The building complex is 300 metres away from the world's largest mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Great Mosque of Mecca.[9] The developer and contractor of the complex is the Saudi Binladin Group, the Kingdom's largest construction company.[6] It is the world's second most expensive building[10 , with the total cost of construction totaling US$15 billion. The complex was built after the demolition of the Ajyad Fortress, the 18th-century Ottoman citadel on top of a hill overlooking the Grand Mosque.11] The destruction of the historically significant site in 2002 by the Saudi government sparked an outcry and a strong reaction from Turkey.[12 The tallest tower in the complex is the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, at 601 meters (1,972 feet) and a total surface area of 32,000 square meters. It is the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world, surpassing the Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen, China but shorter than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo, Japan, the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, and the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China.

The site of the complex is across the piazza to the south from the main entrance (King Abdul-Aziz Gate) to the Masjid al Haram mosque, which houses the Kaaba. It accommodates worshippers visiting the Kaaba. The tallest tower in the complex also contains a five-star hotel, operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, to help provide lodging for the millions of pilgrims that travel to Mecca annually to participate in the Hajj.

In addition, The Clock Towers has a five-story shopping mall (The Clock Towers Shopping Center) and a parking garage capable of holding over a thousand vehicles.

The building was planned to be 734 m (2,408 ft) tall in 2006. In 2009, it was published that the final height would be 601 m (1,972 ft). The complex was built by the Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Arabia's largest construction company. The façade was constructed by Premiere Composite Technologies, and the clock by German tower clock manufacturer PERROT GmbH & Co. KG Turmuhren und Läuteanlagen. According to the Saudi Ministry of Religious Endowments, the overall project cost US$15 billion. The Clock Towers complex had two fire incidents during construction. The first fire accident was at Hajar Tower on 28 October 2008. It took 400 firefighters to put out the fire, which burned for 10 hours, consuming nine floors of the tower.[18] According to eyewitness reports, the blaze erupted shortly after midnight, and spread rapidly because of wood used for construction stored in the premises. Soon, the entire building was engulfed in smoke. Hospitals were put on high alert, but no injuries were reported. A civil defence spokesman claimed the fire started on the 32nd floor of the Hajar Tower.[19]

The second fire struck the Safa Tower on 1 May 2009. No deaths or injuries were reported in the blaze which was quickly contained by Civil Defence. Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out soon after Asr prayer while some workers in the building were welding iron rods on wooden scaffoldings. The fire damaged a large part of the under-construction tower. According to Major General Adel Zamzami, director general of Civil Defence in the Mecca province, the fire broke out at the 14th floor and reached up to the...

Staying at The Clock Tower in Makkah is an experience that goes far beyond just checking into a hotel – it feels like stepping into a landmark that defines the skyline of one of the holiest cities in the world.

The very first thing that takes your breath away is the sheer size and beauty of the tower. Rising high above the holy city, the Clock Tower is not only one of the tallest buildings in the world, but also one of the most iconic. You can see it from miles away, its golden crescent shining brilliantly at night, reminding every pilgrim that the heart of Makkah – the Kaaba inside Masjid Al-Haram – is right beneath it.

The location is absolutely unbeatable. You are literally a few steps away from the Haram. To be able to pray in your room, hear the adhan echoing directly from the mosque, and then walk a few minutes to perform tawaf or join jamaah prayers is something truly special. For pilgrims, nothing compares to the peace of knowing you are so close to the House of Allah.

Inside, the lobby is grand and elegant. It feels like a fusion of modern luxury with a touch of Islamic architecture. The check-in process is smooth, and the staff are highly professional and respectful, always greeting guests with warm smiles and ready to assist, even during peak seasons.

The rooms are spacious, luxurious, and extremely comfortable. Many of them offer spectacular views – and if you’re blessed enough to get a Kaaba view room, it’s an unforgettable sight. Waking up in the early hours, pulling open the curtains, and seeing the Kaaba with thousands of worshippers moving in harmony around it… it is a view that touches your soul and stays with you forever.

The hotel also offers a wide range of dining options. From rich buffets filled with international cuisine to traditional Middle Eastern dishes, the food is plentiful and delicious. You’ll find everything from fresh fruits and breads to hearty meals that give you energy before or after your ibadah.

What’s truly impressive about the Clock Tower is that it’s not just a hotel – it’s a complete complex. Within the building you’ll find a huge shopping mall, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and even museums. Pilgrims can buy clothes, gifts, dates, perfumes, prayer mats – almost everything you could possibly need – without having to leave the complex. This convenience is priceless, especially for families or elderly pilgrims.

Another highlight is the Clock Tower Museum, located near the very top of the tower. It gives a fascinating look at astronomy, timekeeping, and Islamic heritage, and from up there you get panoramic views of the entire city of Makkah. It’s a perspective you simply can’t get anywhere else.

Of course, with a place of this scale, there are moments when the elevators can be busy and the crowds overwhelming, especially during Ramadan or Hajj season. But the hotel management handles it well, and considering the number of guests, the service remains remarkably smooth.

In the end, staying at The Clock Tower is not just about luxury – it’s about spiritual convenience and emotional connection. You feel like you are living in the very center of Makkah’s heartbeat, with every moment reminding you of your purpose for being there.

It’s more than a hotel. It’s an experience of faith, comfort, and awe. If you ever have the opportunity to stay at The Clock Tower in Makkah, it will be one of the most unforgettable highlights...

A Majestic Experience at the Heart of Makkah Visiting the Makkah Royal Clock Tower was one of the most awe-inspiring and unforgettable experiences of my life. Whether you're coming for Umrah, Hajj, or simply to be close to Islam’s holiest site, this iconic structure adds an extraordinary layer of beauty, comfort, and spirituality to your stay in Makkah.

From the moment you see the tower rising high above the skyline—standing at 601 meters—you’re struck by its scale and elegance. The structure is not only the fourth tallest building in the world but also home to the world’s largest clock face, visible from miles away. It feels symbolic—time itself watching over the city of Makkah and millions of Muslims who visit each year.

What makes the Clock Tower exceptional is how seamlessly it blends religious reverence with modern luxury. The Fairmont Hotel housed inside offers world-class hospitality. I was fortunate to stay in a room with a view of the Kaaba, and waking up to the sound of the Adhan while seeing the sacred mosque below was indescribable. It created a feeling of closeness to Allah and an intense spiritual presence throughout my stay.

The convenience factor is also unmatched. With direct access to the Masjid al-Haram, you never feel rushed or crowded while going for prayers. Inside the tower complex, there are multiple prayer halls, expansive shopping malls, restaurants, pharmacies, and services tailored to pilgrims. You truly have everything you need within walking distance—or even within the building itself.

One of the highlights of my visit was the Clock Tower Museum, located on the top floors. It offers an immersive journey through Islamic astronomy, the history of timekeeping, and a deeper appreciation of how time is viewed in Islamic tradition. The museum is beautifully curated and also features an observation deck—the views from there are absolutely breathtaking. You get a full panorama of Makkah that puts into perspective the scale and serenity of this sacred place.

Security, cleanliness, and organization throughout the tower are excellent. Despite the number of visitors it hosts year-round, everything from check-in to elevators, prayer logistics, and hotel services runs smoothly. The staff is respectful, multilingual, and always eager to help—particularly impressive given the scale of operations.

Staying at the Makkah Clock Tower is not just about luxury—it’s about being at the spiritual and geographical heart of Islam. It makes worship easier, more peaceful, and more meaningful. Whether you're traveling alone, with family, or in a group, this experience will deepen your connection to your faith in ways you didn’t expect.

In every way, this landmark is a masterpiece of devotion, design, and hospitality. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the holy city—it’s not just a hotel or a structure, it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Rating: 10/10 – Spiritually uplifting, visually stunning, and...