openSaudi Arabia العربية
Cave of Hira — Cave Hira.jpg

Heritage Sites · Makkah & Jeddah

Cave of Hira

غار حراء

Photo: Cave Hira.jpg · User Nazli · Public domain (licence)

Before you go

7 facts, each with its source
  • Time needed 1–2 hours Source: editor · category default
  • Best season November–March Source: editor · category default
  • Difficulty Easy — uneven ground and low doorways Source: editor · category default
  • Family friendly Yes Source: editor · category default
  • Drones Registration with GACA is required for any drone from 250 g, and registration alone is not permission to fly — an operational permit is also needed Source: official · national rule · General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) · checked 2026-09-05
  • Dress Saudi Arabia expects modest dress in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. Abaya is no longer required of visitors. Many of these sites are still lived in. Source: editor · category default
  • Elevation 580 m Source: srtm · NASA SRTM 30 m model

Not confirmed for this place: 4x4 needed · Entry fee · Opening hours · Facilities · Wheelchair. Know one of these? Tell us →

Safety notes

  • Rock-cut tombs, inscriptions and old-town streets are fragile and, outside the managed sites, unfenced. Stay on the paths, touch nothing, and take nothing — removing anything from an archaeological site is an offence.
  • The managed heritage sites admit visitors by timed ticket and close to walk-ups. Book before you drive.

Editor notes, reviewed 2026-09-04

How far is it?

  • 1 h 31 mfrom Jeddah — King Abdulaziz International (JED) · 106 km
  • 1 h 4 mfrom Jeddah (Al Balad) · 90 km
  • 1 h 16 mfrom Taif · 93 km

Road distance and driving time from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic. Mountain tracks are often slower than the router thinks.

When to go

November–March
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
ComfortableToo hot

Rock-cut tombs, old towns and inscription sites are open desert ground. The visiting season is the cool half of the year and the visiting hours are the ends of the day.

Source: editor · category default · 2026-09-04. Category default set by the editor — a verified per-place season replaces it.

About & Sources Cave of Hira

Cave of Hira is a heritage site in Makkah & Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Entry fee, opening hours and vehicle requirements have not yet been verified for this page — the fact box says so plainly rather than guessing, so check locally before you go. For this kind of place the comfortable season is typically November–March. Nearby: Jabal an Nur, Jabal Al Noor Park and Museum of the Holy Quran.

At a glance

  • Heritage Sites · Makkah & Jeddah
  • Season: November–March (editor default)
  • Has a Wikipedia article
  • 3 open-data sources · verified not yet
Cave of Hira — Cave Hira.jpg
User Nazli · Public domain (licence)
Cave of Hira — Jabbal An-Nour (2024).jpg
Kaliper1 · CC BY SA 4.0 (licence)
Cave of Hira — Entrance of Hira cave.jpg
Mardetanha · CC BY SA 3.0 (licence)
Cave of Hira — Hira cave stone.JPG
Mardetanha · CC BY SA 3.0 (licence)

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each with its author and licence.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Cave of Hira?

Typically November–March for heritage sites. Rock-cut tombs, old towns and inscription sites are open desert ground. The visiting season is the cool half of the year and the visiting hours are the ends of the day.

How long do I need at Cave of Hira?

1–2 hours (guidance for this category).

How high is Cave of Hira?

About 580 m above sea level (source: srtm).

Where is Cave of Hira?

In Makkah & Jeddah (SA-02), Saudi Arabia, at 21.4574, 39.8592 — near Jabal an Nur, Jabal Al Noor Park and Museum of the Holy Quran.

Who can take you there

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Nearby places

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Information is compiled from open data and editor checks; conditions, fees and access change — verify locally before you travel.