Sprawling on the southeastern outskirts of Mecca, Al Awali is a large district packed with residential housing, restaurants and retail stores. It’s dotted with leafy parks and ornate mosques and on the doorstep of the Islamic holy mountain of Jabal Arafat.
Things to do in Al Awali
Stroll through the bustling streets of Ash Shishah, which is clustered with eateries, stores and recreational facilities. You can grab a bite to eat at Joha Yiros, feast on Chinese cuisine at Baytoti Alawali or enjoy the sweet treats at the House of Donuts. On the southern edge of Ash Shishah is the Wembley Stadium soccer field where local teams play and there’s a children’s playground.
Need a retail fix? Head to the Awali Mecca shopping mall where you’ll find fashion, homewares and electronic stores. Alternatively, you can stroll through the female campus of Umm Al Qura University located nearby. It was originally established in 1949 with a focus on Islamic law and Arabic language studies but now offers degrees in everything from education and architecture to business management and marketing.
Al Awali makes an ideal base for visiting Mount Arafat, a 70-metre-high hill that is the believed place where Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon to those who joined him on the Hajj. It’s a particularly popular destination during the annual Hajj pilgrimage when it is visited on the Day of ‘Arafah by devotees asking for their sins to be forgiven.
Getting around Al Awali
Al Awali is a 20-minute drive from the centre of Mecca and just over an hour from Jeddah. King Abdulaziz International Airport is 1.5 hours away. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of getting to and around Al Awali. Taxis are also readily available.