Al-Masjid Al-Haram, literally "the Forbidden Mosque", is one of the three most sacred mosques in Islam, along with An-Nabawi in Medina and Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and also the largest in the world. Every year millions of worshippers visit the mosque on their Hajj pilgrimage to perform the Salah, "the act of worship”, and the Tawaf, which consists of seven circular walks around the Kaaba, the sacred building that contains the Black Stone.

With beautiful scenery in winter and autumn, this is a local favourite for picnics in nature. You can walk along one of the many trekking routes along the mountains, as well as canoe in the lake — outdoor activities are certainly not lacking.

The Kaaba, the cubic structure at the heart of Mecca's Al-Haram Mosque, is the holiest site in Islam and the focal point towards which Muslims worldwide pray. It stands at the centre of the Mataf, the courtyard where pilgrims perform the Tawaf, the ritual of circumambulation. Embedded in its eastern corner is the Black Stone, a revered relic set in a silver frame, which pilgrims strive to touch or kiss as part of the rites. As the direction of prayer and the ultimate destination of the Hajj pilgrimage, it represents the spiritual axis of the Muslim faith.