Makkah and Madinah have secured places among the world’s most visited cities, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s continued growth as a leading destination for religious tourism.
According to the latest figures for 2025, Makkah ranked fifth globally for international visitors, while Madinah secured seventh place. The rankings reflect the steady increase in pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom for Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 19.5 million international pilgrims during the year. The total included 18.03 million Umrah pilgrims and approximately 1.5 million Hajj pilgrims.
The Kingdom also reported a 114% increase in international Umrah visitors compared with 2022, demonstrating the continued expansion of religious tourism over recent years.
Another milestone was recorded at Rawdah Al-Sharif, where more than 16 million visitors were welcomed during 2025. Visitor satisfaction reached 88%, reflecting improvements in services and the overall pilgrimage experience.
Saudi Arabia has continued investing in infrastructure, digital services and visitor facilities as part of Vision 2030, its long-term national development strategy. The programme places significant emphasis on improving pilgrimage services while increasing the country’s appeal as a global tourism destination.
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The latest figures underline the importance of Makkah and Madinah not only as the spiritual heart of Islam but also as two of the world’s leading destinations for international visitors.
