Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Capital City

Living in Mecca is not for the faint of heart - its population of 2.4 million swells to over 10.8 million during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, straining the city's infrastructure. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the Saudi government having demolished 95% of the city's historic buildings since 1985 to make way for hotels and facilities. The climate is brutally hot, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C. Yet for devout Muslims, this holy city remains a sacred destination, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and home to the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam. Mecca is best suited for those with a strong religious conviction and a high tolerance for crowds, heat, and constant redevelopment.