Quick answer: Yes, pilgrims can visit the Kiswah Factory in Makkah — officially the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa in Umm al-Joud. A Kiswah factory visit needs an advance booking (a visit permit) from the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. Book online first, then plan your transport: the complex is a short drive from the Haram, but it is not on a walking route or a simple bus line.
What is the Kiswah Factory?
The Kiswah is the black cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba, embroidered with verses of the Quran in gold and silver thread. It is made at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa in the Umm al-Joud district of Makkah, where the complex has worked since 1397 AH. A new Kiswah is placed on the Kaaba every year at the start of the new Hijri year.
For many pilgrims, seeing how the Kiswah is made is one of the most moving visits outside the Haram. It helps you understand the care and skill that go into the cloth you see every time you look at the Kaaba.
What you will see inside
A guided visit follows the steps of making the Kiswah. According to the Saudi Press Agency and recent visitor reports, these include:
- Dyeing — preparing and dyeing the silk thread black.
- Weaving — both machine weaving and traditional hand weaving.
- The laboratory — where the quality and strength of the materials are tested.
- Embroidery — craftsmen stitching the Quranic verses in gold- and silver-plated thread.
- The belt (Hizam) and tailoring — the large embroidered band that wraps around the Kaaba, and the final assembly of the pieces.
Some groups are invited to take part in a short, symbolic weaving activity. The nearby Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture, also in Umm al-Joud, shows rare items and models of how the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque developed over time. Many families visit both on the same trip.
How to book a Kiswah factory visit permit
You cannot just arrive at the gate — visits are by appointment. Bookings are handled by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque (previously called the General Presidency).
- Go to the authority’s official visits portal. The Saudi Press Agency lists visits.alharamain.gov.sa as the booking site for visits in Umm al-Joud.
- Sign in. Guides report that sign-in uses the authority’s account system (iam.alharamain.gov.sa) with Nafath, the Saudi digital identity service.
- Choose the Kiswa Complex visit, pick an available date and time, and add the names of the people in your group.
- Save the confirmation on your phone. You may be asked to show it at the entrance.
If you are on an Umrah visa: some visitors find the Saudi digital login difficult without a local account. If you cannot book yourself, ask your Umrah agent, hotel or group leader early in your trip — slots can fill up in busy seasons.
Timings, groups and cost
Visiting days and hours change by season (for example, longer hours have been announced in Ramadan), and different guides give different times. Always check the time shown on your booking rather than relying on a timetable you read online.
- Group size: guides report limits on how many companions you can add to one booking. The portal will show the current limit.
- Cost: visitor guides describe the visit as free of charge. Your only cost is usually transport there and back.
- Duration: plan around one hour inside, plus travel time.
How to get there from the Haram
Umm al-Joud is on the north-western side of Makkah. Visitor guides put it at roughly 10 km from the Grand Mosque — usually 15 to 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic and prayer times.
| Option | Good for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private taxi with waiting | Families, elderly parents, groups | Driver waits during your visit and brings you back to your hotel |
| Ride app | Small groups travelling light | You need a second ride back; pickup from Umm al-Joud can take time |
| Organised group tour | Pilgrims with a group leader | Fixed schedule, less flexibility |
Our Kiswah Factory Tour is a private car from your hotel: your driver waits while you visit and drives you back, so you are never stuck looking for a ride. You can combine it with the Makkah Museum Tour or a Makkah Ziyarat trip on the same day.
Tips for families
- Book your visit slot first, then book transport for that time.
- Leave extra time if your visit is close to a prayer time — roads near the Haram get busy.
- Wear modest clothing and comfortable shoes; there is some walking between halls.
- Ask the guide before taking photos — rules can differ between halls.
- Keep children close; some areas have working machines.
- Carry water, especially in the summer months.
Official sources: Saudi Press Agency – King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa · Saudi Press Agency – Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition · Nusuk (official Umrah platform)
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Kiswah Factory without a permit?
No. Visits are by appointment only. Book a slot online through the official visits portal of the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque before you go.
Is the Kiswah Factory visit free?
Visitor guides describe the visit as free. You only need to pay for your transport to Umm al-Joud and back.
How far is the Kiswah Factory from the Haram?
It is in the Umm al-Joud district, roughly 10 km from the Grand Mosque. By car it usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can women and children visit the Kiswah Factory?
Families visit the complex, and the booking form lets you add companions. Check the booking portal for any age rules that apply on your date.
Visit rules, booking steps and opening times can change from season to season. Always confirm the latest details on the official booking portal before you travel. This guide was last reviewed in October 2026.
