Makkah and Madinah have achieved global recognition as two of the world’s most visited destinations, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing importance in religious tourism.

According to publicly available reports, Makkah ranked as the 5th most visited city in the world, while Madinah secured the 7th position globally for international visitors in 2025.

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Millions of Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 19.5 million international pilgrims during the year, including approximately 18.03 million Umrah pilgrims and 1.5 million Hajj pilgrims.

The figures reflect the continued growth of pilgrimage tourism, with Umrah visitors reportedly increasing by 114% compared with 2022.

Millions Visit Rawdah Al-Sharif

More than 16 million people visited Rawdah Al-Sharif during the year, one of the most significant religious sites in Madinah.

Visitor satisfaction reportedly reached 88%, reflecting improvements in organization, accessibility, and visitor services.

Vision 2030 and Pilgrimage Development

The achievements align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing pilgrimage experiences, expanding infrastructure, improving digital services, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading global tourism destination.

Major investments in transportation, hospitality, crowd management, and technology have supported efforts to accommodate growing numbers of visitors while maintaining safety and convenience.

Growing Importance of Religious Tourism

The latest rankings demonstrate the continued global significance of Makkah and Madinah as spiritual destinations for millions of Muslims worldwide.

With ongoing development initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to focus on improving services for pilgrims and creating a more efficient and welcoming experience for international visitors.

Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available reports. The information may change as official updates become available.