It’s safe to say there’s probably more to see and do in Bahrain than most people realize. There are ancient forts, mystical trees, great museums and some wonderful contemporary art spaces. It’s a perfect short-haul destination for a long weekend or long layover.
Here’s our pick of the best Bahrain has to offer:
1. Qal’at al-Bahrain
The Fort of Bahrain has been incredibly generous to archeologists seeking its hidden and buried treasures over the years. Artifacts have been unearthed dating back to around 2300 BC, up to the mid 18th century from various occupants including the Greeks and Portuguese. In 2005 it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and the Bahraini government is now going to great lengths to protect it. There’s a museum on site which documents the significance of the fort and the various archaeological finds. It’s split into five galleries and there are free guided tours available, but you’re recommended to book in advance.
Address: Off Avenue 44, Karbabad, Bahrain
Opening times: Tuesday through Sunday, 8am – 8pm
2. Tree of Life
This enticingly named tree stands alone in Bahrain’s unforgiving desert and has done so for around 400 years, hence its name. Experts think the mesquite tree’s routes have somehow tapped into an underground spring which is sustaining it, but no evidence for the spring have ever been found. It’s not in a particularly beautiful setting – and has suffered from graffiti in recent years – but romantics suggest it is the last site of the Garden of Eden and its long life has nothing to do with anything as scientific as a water source beneath it. The tree attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, most of them driving the 40km from Manama.
Address: Off Misakar Highway, Bahrain
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Feba Varghese (@phoebevar) on
3. Old Manama Souq
Crammed with more than 150 shops, the Old Manama Souq has been a major shopping hub in the city for over 80 years. Located behind the Bab Al Bahrain, the former Bahraini government offices, you’ll find it full of stores selling textiles, toys, clothing, nuts, electronic goods and much more. The souq is split into sections, with perfumes, spices and herbs rightly occupying their own sections. It’s also the place to go to get some delicious bijryiani or Bahraini cuisine – the best restaurants have been serving up their finest dishes for more than half a century!
Address: Building 90, Road 7، Manama, Bahrain
View this post on InstagramA post shared by hussain101 (@hussain101) on
4. Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Bahrain’s largest mosque is more than just a place of worship, it’s the religious heart and soul of the country. It can accommodate up to 7,000 worshippers and is busiest on Fridays and during Ramadan. It was built in 1987 under orders of Sheikh Isa Ibn Salman Al Khalifa and named after the founder of Bahrain, Ahmed Al Fateh. No expense was spared in its creation and the final design includes the world’s largest fiberglass dome, Italian marble on the floors, wooden doors from India, and a huge chandelier from Austria. There are daily tours of the mosque in various languages including Russian, English and French.
Address: Juffair, Al Fateh Highway, Manama, Bahrain
Opening times: Daily 9am – 4pm but Fridays are very busy with worshippers
5. Bait Al Quran
The Bait al Quran building wouldn’t be particularly special if it weren’t for the actual carvings of Quranic passages on its exterior. Inside is a large and impressive collection of Quranic manuscripts as well as more than 50,000 books on Islam written in English, Arabic and French. Some of the Quranic manuscripts date back as far at the 7th century and there’ also a selection of passages written on rice, grains and peas.
Address: Off Exhibition Avenue, Diplomatic Area, Manama
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Ali Khadra (@planetalibaba) on
6. Lost Paradise of Dilmun
If you’re visiting Bahrain when the temperatures are high, you might want to cool off at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun water park. While it probably can’t compete with the likes of Aquaventure in Dubai, the park has 18 rides and attractions and is spread over 77,000 square meters. It has all the usual water park staples such as lazy river, kids’ pool and thrill rides. It’s also a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best things to do in Bahrain with children.
Address: Building 1663, Road 6227, Block 1062 Hawrat Ingah، Southern Governorate 000, Bahrain
Opening times: Depends on the season and religious calendar. Normal opening is from 10am through between 5pm and 8pm depending on weather and time of year
7. Boat trip to Bu Maher Fort
Hopping on a boat from the Bahrain National Museum to the Bu Maher Fort is not only a good thing to do if you’re interested in the region’s pearling history, but a great way to take a mini cruise on the cheap! The fort was built in 1840 and was once one of the major hubs for the region’s pearling and fishing industry. The bot ride costs around 1BHD (Dh10) and departs from the museum regularly between around 10am and 6pm.
View this post on Instagram#explorebahrain #visitbahrain #bumaherfort #seaview
A post shared by Kirsi Korpela (@k.korpela) on
8. Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve
This is another of the best things to do in Bahrain if you’ve got kids in tow. It’s split into four separate parks: Wild Birds Park, Desert Flora Garden, Water Birds Park and the Wild Animals Complex. It houses lots of the region’s endangered species including the illusive Arabian Leopard, Arabian Wolf and the oryx, which became extinct in the wild in the 1970s and was only saved thanks to projects such as this. There are currently around 45 species of mammals in the park, as well as over 80 species of bird and 25 species of plants.
Address: Sakir, Zallaq, Bahrain
Opening times: Daily, from 9am to 4pm. Ramadan hours may be shorter
Tickets: Entry costs 1BHD (Dh10) per person, children under 2 go free
View this post on InstagramGood afternoon.. 💕 ‘ ‘ مساء الورد .. 💕
A post shared by AlAreen Wildlife Park&Reserve (@al_areen) on
9. Royal Camel Farm
There is no animal more prized in Middle Eastern culture than the camel, so a trip to Bahrain wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its Royal Camel Farm! There’s not a huge amount to see or do here – apart from admire the camels – but if you manage to speak to a member of staff or keeper you’ll learn all there is to know about the iconic animal, and then some! The farm is around a 20-minute drive west of Manama and all taxi drivers should know it.
Address: Al Janabiyah, Bahrain
Opening times: Daily, until around sunset
Tickets: Admission is free
10. Bahrain National Museum
Bahrain has a fairly established contemporary art scene and one of the best places to go to see it is the Bahrain National Museum, which opened in 1988. As well as collections of old artifacts dug up from various archeological sites around the country and traditional clothing and handicrafts, it also has an art hall which hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing some of the best contemporary art the country has to offer. There are lots of other art spaces across Bahrain and some of the most popular are the Bin Matar House (in a former traditional Bahraini house) and the non-profit Al Riwaq Art Space.
Address: Sheikh Hamad Causeway, Manama, Bahrain
Opening times: Daily, 8am – 8pm, Ramadan timings may differ
View this post on InstagramA post shared by هيئة البحرين للثقافة والآثار (@culturebah) on
*Content first written/published in June 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
Here’s some travel inspiration to get you excited about your next trip
Top attractions and things to do in Muscat
Whether you’re a lone traveler or visiting with family, here’s our list of the best things to do in Muscat…
10 best things to do in Baku
Not sure what the Azerbaijani capital has to offer but keen to explore? Let Skyscanner help.
Top 8 attractions and things to do in Amman
With fine examples of Roman history, delicious local foods, a wonderful contemporary art scene and lots of funky shops, Amman is a must-visit nearby destination…
The ultimate guide to Yerevan
With its fabulous combination of museums, parks and markets, Yerevan is a fascinating place to visit…
