Hira Cultural District

A cultural district at the eastern foot of Jabal al-Nour: the Revelation Exhibition, the Holy Quran Museum, the official path to the Cave of Hira, cafés and gift shops in one place.

Where: about 5.8 km from Masjid al-Haram in a straight line, on its north-east side (21.45670, 39.86830)
City: Makkah

History

The district was inaugurated on 29 January 2023 (7 Rajab 1444) as part of the Vision 2030 programme to enrich the visit of pilgrims and residents. It covers about 67,000 m² and is overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites together with the Makkah Region Emirate, the ministries of culture and tourism, the Makkah municipality, the Pilgrim Experience Program and the General Authority for Awqaf.

The first phase opened the Visitor Center, the Revelation Exhibition, shops and cafés, and replaced the informal track up the mountain with a paved, managed path to the cave. The Holy Quran Museum followed in 2025. The district reports more than four million visitors from 132 countries.

What to do there

Start at the **Revelation Exhibition** for the story of the first revelation, with a full-size recreation of the cave for those who cannot climb.
See rare manuscripts in the **Holy Quran Museum** next door.
Climb the **path to the Cave of Hira** — the only way up the mountain — which starts beside the Visitor Center (open 24 hours).
Rest in the cafés; the shops sell books and locally made gifts.

Tips for pilgrims

Hours (Makkah time): the district and the path are open 24 hours; the exhibition and the museum Sat–Wed 7:30–23:30, Thu 7:30–01:00, Fri 15:30–01:00. Hours can change in Ramadan and Hajj.
Exhibition and museum tickets (about 25–30 SAR each) are sold on Hi Hala (hihala.com or the Hi Hala app); the path is free.
Tell the taxi driver "Hayy Hira ath-Thaqafi" or "Jabal al-Nour". The district has its own car parks beside King Faisal Road, the Makkah–Ta'if road.
Allow two to three hours for the exhibition, the museum and a coffee; plan the climb separately.
Contact: info@hiradistrict.com · +966 55 985 0986.

Nearby places

Path to the Cave of Hira (start) — 100 m away
Revelation Exhibition — 110 m away
Holy Quran Museum — 140 m away
Cave of Hira — 940 m away

Sources

Open Hira Cultural District on the UmrahMap 3D map for walking or driving directions, or see all Ziyarah places in Makkah.

Text by the UmrahMap content team from the sources listed; updated 2026-09-26. This text is still being reviewed by scholars. Visiting rules and opening hours can change — check locally.

UmrahMap is made by UmrahCore, Umrah and Hajj management software for travel agencies.

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