MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with a wide-ranging plan to restore and develop Makkah’s historical and cultural sites as the number of visitors to the historic city has reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Makkah’s historical and cultural sites include locations associated with events from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the broader history of Islam, alongside ancient roads, markets, wells, inscriptions and landmarks that have shaped Makkah’s identity over the centuries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
As attention to these sites continues to grow, a comprehensive system is being implemented to document, preserve, study and rehabilitate them, while presenting their stories in an accessible way.
Makkah Advances Preservation and Development of Historical and Cultural Sites.https://t.co/s1GGq63KYB#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/R5xDzxFZ71
— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) September 7, 2026
The initiative enables visitors to explore these sites, understand their historical significance, and gain a deeper appreciation of Makkah’s cultural heritage.
Saudi Arabia’s strategy for historical and cultural sites
The effort forms part of Makkah’s strategy for historical and cultural sites, which aims to establish an integrated framework covering documentation, protection, rehabilitation, experience development, partnership activation, and improved site readiness and sustainability.
As part of the strategy, 65 development studies have been completed, 56 sites documented, 32 rehabilitated, and 23 enhanced. A total of 28 sites are now open to visitors, offering opportunities to engage directly with the city’s rich heritage.
Visitor numbers have also risen significantly. By the end of the second quarter of 2026, historical and cultural sites in Makkah had attracted 5.9 million visitors, representing a 47 per cent increase from the 3.6 million recorded during the same period in 2025. Visitor satisfaction reached 95.8 per cent.
19 million vists
Since the strategy’s launch, total visits to historical and cultural sites have exceeded 19 million, reflecting not only increased visitation but also the expansion of the network of sites and experiences, improved access, and the transition of more sites from study and preservation to visitation and engagement.
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Makkah’s historical and cultural sites thus remain an integral part of the city’s story: a heritage to be preserved, landmarks to be explored, and experiences that offer visitors a deeper understanding of Makkah and its history.
