Shopping in Makkah ranges from high-end luxury near the Haram to wholesale bargain markets in the suburbs.
1. Abraj Al-Bait (The Clock Tower Mall)
Located directly in front of the Haram.
- Type: Modern, Up-market.
- Best For: Perfumes, Dates (premium), Brands (H&M, Sephora), and Food Court.
- Price: $$$ (Expensive).
2. Makkah Mall (Aziziyah)
Located about 10-15 mins taxi ride from Haram.
- Type: Full-size modern mall.
- Best For: Families, clothing, electronics, HyperPanda supermarket.
- Price: $$ (Moderate).
3. Al-Kakiyah Wholesale Market
Located on the outskirts (requires taxi).
- Type: Traditional wholesale market.
- Best For: Bulk souvenirs (prayer mats, tasbeeh, cheap dates), Abayas, and luggage.
- Price: $ (Very Cheap - Bargaining is a must).
4. Bin Dawood Supermarkets
Found in Clock Tower, Jabal Omar, and Hilton.
- Best For: Daily groceries, snacks, premium dates (Ajwa), and emergency supplies.
- Tip: The branches further from Haram are slightly cheaper than the ones right at the entrance.
Shopping Tips
- Haggling: Essential in street markets (Kakiyah, Ibrahim Al Khalil Road). Not applicable in malls/brands.
- Prayer Times: All shops close during prayer times. Plan accordingly.
- Dates: Buy dates from Kakiyah or dedicated Date Markets for the best price/freshness ratio compared to fancy gift shops.
