The Holy City of Makkah lies inland, some 73 km east of Jiddah, in the narrow, sandy Valley of Abraham. The land consists of rugged, rocky (predominantly granite) terrain, with mountain ranges on three sides (to the west, south and east).

The Holy City is 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level.

There are three main entrances to the Holy City; Al-Mu’allat, Al-Musfalah and Al-Shubaikah.

Jabal hira, to the northeast, is the site of the cave where the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, sought peace for contemplation and where he received the first verse of the Holy Qur’an.