A Comprehensive Guide to Abraj Al Bait Towers (Clock Tower Complex)

Located in the heart of Makkah and housing the iconic clock tower, the Abraj Al Bait Towers stand unparalleled in their significance at a prime central location in the Hejaz region. The Abraj Al Bait Towers are not only a luxurious complex offering a premium shopping experience, but they also cater to a wide range of visitors’ needs. Facilities such as a food court, parking area, prayer spaces, and many other services are readily available here.
Let’s read on further to get detailed insights about Abraj Al Bait Towers, where visitors can go for a quick stroll across the market, fetch something to eat inside, or rest for a while after their worship ritual.

Introduction:
Abraj Al Bait Makkah, also known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, is a group of seven towers, the tallest being the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, which stands 601m tall. The clock can be seen across great distances of pedestrian walkways and roads, up to about 25 km away. The prominent top exhibits a four-faced clock, and an elevated spire of 93 m, with a 23m high golden crescent at the tower’s peak. The largest clock face in the world has around 2 million LED lights that light up the 43m diameter of the clock.

The North and South faces of the dial have Arabic script written atop that says, “Allah is the greatest,” and the West and East faces have the Kalmah inscribed that translates, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.” These grand towers were constructed by the Saudi Binladin Group and were completed in 2012.
The clock tower is installed with minaret-style loudspeakers that emit the call to prayer five times daily, which can be heard across 7 km. Makkah Clock Tower is considered one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world and among the most expensive buildings globally, according to the Guinness World Records. The seven consecutive towers are Clock Tower, Hajar, ZamZam, Maqam Ibrahim, Qibla, Safa, and Marwah.

Top Things to Do Here:
When you’ve entered the Abraj Al Bait Shopping Towers in Makkah, countless options and things can attract you here. Visitors can enjoy an immersive shopping experience at the five-star shopping mall, where they can find both luxurious and local products. You can also dine in the best restaurants at the food court and taste some delicious Middle Eastern or Asian cuisines. There is also a Clock Tower Museum, where visitors can be enthralled by exhibitions of Islamic culture and history. The museum offers a marvelous view of the city from the top floors and provides insights into astronomy and the development of timekeeping in the Islamic world.

A business suite or center is also present, which hosts corporate meetings right in the center of this holy city. A relaxing spa and beauty salon are also featured in the hotel’s services, although these are exclusive only to guests. A huge prayer area is accessible, especially during the rush seasons of pilgrimage, such as Umrah in Ramadan or Hajj in ZulHijjah. Located right adjacent to the towers is Masjid Al Haram, where many pilgrims and visitors pray, the mosque being of great Islamic and historical significance.

Let’s explore some of these facilities one by one:

A fine experience of getting everything you need in one place is offered by the Clock Tower Makkah Mall, located in the Abraj Al Bait Complex. The mall houses top-notch luxurious stores as well as local shops selling branded and local products, including garments, electronics, souvenirs, gifts, bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, perfumes, and watches. You can find anything according to your requirements. The surrounding environment of the mall is air-conditioned, lavish, and relaxing, allowing visitors to enjoy their time here when they take a break from prayers. Abraj Al Bait shopping mall also offers a wide range of dining experiences at the food court, which features cuisines to delight every taste.

This is an exclusive experience enjoyed by those who can afford the high prices of restaurants located on the upper floors of the tower hotels. You can sit at a table overlooking the ambiance of the mall, the bustling city, and the magnificent view of the Holy Ka’abah. Many outlets offering both international and local cuisines are located here, providing a chance to indulge in delicious meals in this stunning environment.

The Clock Tower Museum features the Exhibition of the Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques, which offers an Islamic and historical experience. The exhibit covers the architectural developments of Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi, key developments, and photographs of historical events. From the top floors, visitors also get a breathtaking skyline view of the whole city of Makkah and the Holy Mosque.

Although a lesser-known feature, the upper levels of the museum offer visitors a chance to enjoy guided information about astronomy and timekeeping. From here, you can witness the breathtaking view of the Makkah skyline illuminated under the night sky, while learning about the Islamic lunar calendar and celestial observation.

To get a relaxing, rejuvenating experience to soothe your distressed nerves after the pilgrimage, head to one of the luxurious spas. Here, treatments like massage, manicure, pedicure, facials, and local Hammam experiences can be enjoyed, available in select hotels within the tower complex.

Where to Stay Here?
Visitors who come to Abraj Al Bait Towers can facilitate themselves by booking a hotel for their stay. Nearest to the vicinity of the Ka’abah and Masjid Al Haram, hotels here are luxurious or high-priced as per their standards.

A five-star, deluxe, and grandiose representation of architectural design, the Fairmont Hotel houses 1,542 rooms. This 76-story hotel building is one of the tallest in the world. 56 stylish elevators provide pilgrims with direct access to Masjid Al Haram for their convenience. There are private and exclusive suites that offer relaxing prayer areas and generously spacious bedrooms that can accommodate up to 8 people in various single, double, and triple bedrooms. They offer great services, which include shuttle transportation, Wi-Fi services, a dining room, and more.

Another 5-star residential hotel located in the Hajar Tower of the Abraj Al-Bait Complex. Mövenpick Residence offers various luxurious guest rooms, distributed across 41 floors, totaling 1,204 rooms. Five versatile dining restaurants and cafes are available here, offering a delightful culinary experience. The Mövenpick Residence also provides its guests with excellent services and amenities, including air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi services, a television, an on-call doctor/nurse facility, business rooms for meetings, and dining options!

Located in Makkah Towers at King Abdul Aziz Endowment, Pullman Zamzam Hotel offers luxurious and spacious guest rooms—about 1,315 in number. This hotel provides excellent amenities and services, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, Wi-Fi, and more.

Where to Eat Here?
Multiple restaurants offering great tastes of culinary delicacies are present in Abraj Al Bait Towers, where you can sample Saudi specialties, Asian and American cuisines, and dishes from around the world.

Known for its Kabsa and other Middle Eastern cuisines. Found in Abraj Al Bait Mall.

A popular food chain, also in the food court, specializing in fast food like broast, French fries, and more.

Also located in Abraj Mall, popular for its flavorful burgers and fries.

Available at the Mövenpick Hotel at Hajar Tower. Guests can indulge in sweet desserts for 60 minutes, exclusively for their visitors.

The main dining restaurant at the Mövenpick Hotel, offering continental and Middle Eastern dishes.

A café in the Mövenpick Hotel.

Buffet-style restaurants within the Mövenpick Hotel.

Another dining option at the Mövenpick Hotel.