What is better for someone in Makkah: frequent prayer in the Sacred Mosque or frequent circumambulation (Tawaf)?

Prayer in the Sacred Mosque and circumambulation (Tawaf) around the Kaaba hold immense virtue. One prayer in the Sacred Mosque is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere. Circumambulating the Kaaba seven times is considered equivalent to freeing a slave, and it expiates sins and records good deeds.

As for preferring prayer over circumambulation or vice versa: it is better for a stranger (visitor) to perform abundant circumambulation because it is only possible for him in Mecca, unlike prayer. As for a resident of Mecca, prayer is better for him because the general act of prayer is superior to the general act of circumambulation.