The Grand Mosque in Makkah is one of the largest buildings in the world. After decades of expansion, it now has well over a hundred numbered gates, several floors and vast outdoor courtyards. For first-time pilgrims from the UK, it is very easy to get lost, especially at night or in the crowds of Ramadan.
The good news is that a phone, a few apps and a basic understanding of how the mosque is laid out can make a huge difference. This guide explains how to find your way around the Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Learn your nearest gate number, save your hotel and gate as pins on an offline map, share your live location with your group, and agree a fixed meeting point outside the mosque. Use the official Nusuk app for your Umrah and Rawdah permits.
Gate numbers are your address
Think of the gate numbers as the Haram’s addressing system. Every gate has a number, shown in lit Arabic and English figures beside the doors. When you are inside, the number of the gate you came in through is the single most useful thing to remember.
In Makkah, three main gates are easy to spot by their tall minarets:
- King Abdulaziz Gate (Gate 1), close to the Clock Tower and Ajyad area
- King Fahd Gate (Gate 79), a major entrance often used by pilgrims staying in the Jabal Omar area
- King Abdullah Gate (Gate 100), in the newer King Abdullah expansion
In Madinah, the best-known entrance is Bab as-Salam (Gate 1) on the western side, the traditional route for men visiting the Prophet’s grave. The King Fahd gates on the northern side are the main entrance from the north plaza. Women’s sections are reached through designated gates, which are clearly signed.
Tip: take a photo of the gate number every time you enter. It acts as a breadcrumb back to where you started.
Remember that the Haram has floors
A standard map is two-dimensional, but the Haram is not. In Makkah, tawaf and sa’i can be performed on the ground floor, upper floors and the roof, and in busy periods you may be directed to a level you did not plan to use. Your phone’s map will show the right spot but not the right floor.
When you save a meeting point or note where you left someone, always add the level as well as the gate number, for example “Gate 79, first floor”.
Download offline maps before you fly
Mobile signal and data can be patchy in very crowded areas. Before leaving the UK, download offline maps of central Makkah and Madinah in a map app such as Google Maps. Then save pins for:
- your hotel entrance
- the gate you use most often
- your group’s meeting point
- the nearest pharmacy and shuttle stop
Offline maps also work when you have turned off data roaming. Pair them with a power bank, because GPS and screen use drain batteries fast in the heat.
Share your live location
Live location sharing, available in WhatsApp and most map apps, is one of the most helpful tools for families. If someone becomes separated, you can see roughly where they are. Set it up before you enter the mosque, as signal can drop once you are inside.
For children, add an ID wristband with your phone number and hotel name. Technology helps, but a printed number on a wrist works even when a battery dies.
Pick meeting points outside the mosque
“Meet me at the gate” rarely works when tens of thousands of people are leaving at once. Agree a fixed meeting point outside the mosque, near an easy landmark. In Makkah, the Clock Tower is visible from almost everywhere and makes a good reference point. Choose a specific entrance or shop, and agree a time to meet if anyone is separated.
Use the official apps
A few apps are worth installing before you travel:
- Nusuk: the official Saudi app for Umrah permits and Rawdah bookings. You need it to perform Umrah, and you may be asked to show your permit.
- Ride-hailing apps: services such as Uber and Careem operate in Makkah and Madinah and show your pickup point on a map.
- Haramain High-Speed Railway: tickets for the train between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah can be booked online.
- A prayer times and qibla app: useful when you are away from the mosque.
Only download apps from the official app stores, and be careful with any app that asks for payment details.
Choose your hotel with a map, not a brochure
Location data matters most before you even arrive. Phrases like “near the Haram” can mean anything from 100 metres to more than a kilometre. Look up each hotel on a map, check the walking route to your nearest gate, and estimate the time at a slow pace in the heat.
This is especially important when comparing cheap all-inclusive Umrah packages from the UK. Two packages at a similar price can have very different walking distances, and a few hundred metres can mean an extra 20 minutes each way, five times a day.
Planning for the last ten nights of Ramadan
The last ten nights of Ramadan bring the biggest crowds of the year. Some gates close once the areas behind them are full, and security staff may direct you to other entrances or upper floors. Plan to arrive well before prayer times, and expect to walk further than usual.
If you are booking last 10 days Ramadan Umrah packages from the UK, check the exact walking distance to more than one gate, not just the nearest one. Save several entrances as pins on your map so you have a back-up when your usual gate is closed.
Before you go
Check the latest guidance before you travel. The UK Foreign Office publishes current travel advice for Saudi Arabia, and the NHS-backed TravelHealthPro website has health advice for Umrah pilgrims, including tips for coping with heat and crowds.
Final thoughts
The Haram can feel overwhelming at first, but it follows a clear logic. Learn your gate number, note the floor, save your key locations offline, share your live location, and agree meeting points outside. With a little preparation, you can spend less time searching and more time in worship.
Frequently asked questions
How many gates does Masjid al-Haram have?
After recent expansions, the Grand Mosque in Makkah has well over a hundred numbered gates. The three main gates, easy to spot by their minarets, are King Abdulaziz Gate (1), King Fahd Gate (79) and King Abdullah Gate (100).
Which gate should I use to visit the Rawdah in Madinah?
Men traditionally use Bab as-Salam (Gate 1) on the western side of the Prophet’s Mosque. Women enter through designated women’s gates. In both cases, you need a Rawdah time slot booked in the Nusuk app.
Do Google Maps and offline maps work in Makkah?
Yes. You can download offline maps of central Makkah and Madinah before you travel, and save pins for your hotel, gate and meeting point. Note that maps do not show which floor of the mosque you are on.
What should I do if I get separated from my group in the Haram?
Go to the meeting point you agreed outside the mosque, and check your group’s live location if you can. Make sure children wear an ID wristband with your phone number and hotel name.
How do I choose a hotel close to the Haram?
Look up the hotel on a map and check the walking route to your nearest gate, rather than relying on phrases like “near the Haram”. For the last ten nights of Ramadan, check the distance to more than one gate, as some gates close when full.
About the author: This article was written by the team at Qiblatain, a London-based Umrah and Hajj specialist that has helped UK pilgrims plan their journeys since 2010.