Do not go for Hajj with extra money or indulge in excessive shopping there. If you shop, keep in mind the weight of your luggage. If you want to buy any simple gifts or daily necessities for family and relatives, purchase them before Hajj. This is because as the time for Hajj approaches, prices of goods increase. Even after Hajj, prices remain high for a few days and then gradually decrease.
Shopping at Zamzam Tower
Near Masjid al-Haram, you will find several shopping malls. In Zamzam Tower, there are some high-end branded stores. In the basement of Zamzam Tower, you will find some mid-range shops. Adjacent to Zamzam Tower, the Al Safwa Tower Shopping Mall and Bin Dawood Mall are also good for shopping. The shopping centers around Haram are slightly expensive.
Cheap market in Makkah near Haram
A little away from Haram, near the Ma’alla Cemetery, you will find several wholesale and cheap markets and shopping malls. Additionally, in North Aziziyah, there is a street with several large supermarkets and malls side by side, such as Family International Complex, Bawarith Plaza, Top Ten, Al Jawhara Mall, etc., where you can shop for all kinds of products at a low price. Remember, the worst places on earth are fair-like markets. So, do not waste much time shopping in markets.
Jewelry in Makkah
People mainly come here to buy slightly higher-quality items. Although the prices are a bit higher, due to the good quality, these markets have dedicated customers. However, most jewelry stores sell 21-carat ornaments rather than 22-carat ones. Many also buy gold bars. If you buy gold jewelry here, you must pay a mandatory 15% tax. Bargaining is also an option.
Makkah Clothing
The holy city is a terrific spot to find hijabs (headscarves), abayas (cloaks worn over thawbs), and thawbs (long robes for men and women), among other Islamic attire. You can get good bargains on pre-made clothing, textiles, and custom tailoring at markets like Souq Al Otaibiah.
Religious Items Shopping in Makkah
For purchasing religious items like perfumes, prayer beads, and prayer mats, Makkah has several renowned places where you can buy quality products at reasonable prices. Among them, one of the best is Souq Al-Lail. Here you can easily find prayer beads, prayer mats, Islamic books, handwritten calligraphy, and perfumes. Prices are relatively affordable, and there is also room for bargaining.
Buying Zamzam Water in Makkah
The best and most reliable place to buy Zamzam water in Makkah is the official point of the King Abdullah Zamzam Project. Collecting Zamzam water from this location is safe and authentic. Here, the water is packaged and sealed, ensuring hygiene and quality.
The King Abdullah Zamzam Distribution Center is a government-run center in Makkah.
You can collect Zamzam water here in sealed bottles.
Each bottle has a fixed price, so there is no hassle of spending extra money.
The center is located a short distance from Haram Sharif and is easily accessible.
One thing that will amaze you and leave you with a pleasant feeling is that with the call for any prayer (Salah), all the shops close immediately. During Salah, no buying or selling takes place in that country. If customers and shopkeepers are in the shopping mall during Salah, they stand for prayer. After Salah ends, buying and selling resume.
Lastly, the most important advice is: If possible, take back Tawheed and Taqwa from Makkah and embed them in your heart!
