Bahrain is a beautiful tiny island actively reclaiming land, building skyscrapers and restoring its historical heritage. I could not expect that I would love this country so much that I return there twice in less than 6 months!
Even if you have a day or two there, you can feel the vibe of Bahrain: check my list of the most famous and important places! If you have more time, check my other blogs about Manama and Muharraq too for more inspiration.
1. Tree of Life
The Tree of Life, which is actually Prosopis juliflora, is a unique 400-year-old tree standing tall in the middle of a desert and oil extraction site – with some birds even nesting there. It looks like a miracle indeed!
Some say that this is the last tree of the Garden of Eden, while others believe it is linked to the Dilmun civilization, which is over 4,000 years old… but, of course, the tree is much younger.
However, the Tree of Life is still a magnet for tourists, although it’s quite far from Manama (about a 40-minute drive), many call it an unmissable spot of Bahrain!
2. Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq
Bab Al Bahrain is an impressive gate marking the entrance to the Manama souq. Its construction was promoted in 1949 by Sir Charles Belgrave, British advisor to the Royal rulers of Bahrain from 1926 until 1957, to be erected in 1949 on the site where traditional large dhow boats docked at a pier by the market.
Don’t be confused: as you probably know, a big part of Manama is artificially created land which used to be covered with water, and now the waterfront is pushed forward.
Manama Souq is a must for every Bahrain visitor! Come to the large covered part of it or get lost in the alleys of shops selling gold, souvenirs, carpets, spices, it’s up to you. Yes, the sellers might be a bit pushy and you have to bargain, but that’s what makes this souq authentic.
By the way, you can also find an operating synagogue and a Hindu temple in this part of the city!
The postal museum is located close to the souq entrance.
3. Beit Al Quran
One of the main sites for Bahraini is Beit Al Quran, or the House of Quran.
The entire building was erected specifically to house a large collection of Qurans, and from the outside, it’s engraved with Arabic script. It features a majestic inner courtyard, a mosque, a religious school, and an auditorium.
The collection of Qurans consists of over 50,000 items; however, you can see much fewer on display. The exhibits are truly rare!
Some date to the very beginning of Islam, while others are intricately decorated. Some have verses written on grains of rice, and lastly, there are early editions in English and French!
4. Al-Fateh Grand Mosque
The Al-Fateh Mosque was founded in 1983 and opened in 1988 and named after Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, called ‘Al Fatih’ (it means the conqueror), the founder of modern Bahrain. As you can clearly see, it’s huge: it’s one of the largest mosques of the world.
You can visit it only with a guide from a mosque (for instance, we waited for about 20 min to be assigned with one), but it’s worth the wait. It looks pretty grand on the inside with materials brought from all over the world: Austria, Italy, Scotland..
The mosque is a part of the Islamic Centre, and there’s a national library located there too.
You can also see the Al-Khamis Mosque which is probably the very first mosque built in Bahrain; however twin minarets of it are currently under restoration.
5. Qal’at al-Bahrain
Start exploring Bahrein with Bahrain fort, or Qal’at al-Bahrain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005! In the past this site was the main city of Dilmun civilization, one of the earliest ones in this area, known for its commercial connections with Mesopotamia, China and the Mediterranean.
The archaeological excavations made in the middle of the 20th century revealed the remains of cultures as old as 5000 years! The first fort on the site was built around 2300 BC, but the current fortress was constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Come to the Fort Museum too; it’s not very big but very modern and represents the history of the fort since early Dilmun period through the times of Alexander the Great and early Islam period till the Portuguese rule.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the fort now as it’s closed for some works but we were told it’ll reopen in two years. Don’t miss the cafe and the shop after visiting the museum!
6. Pearling path in Muharraq
Muharraq is the third largest city of Bahrain and was the capital of the country till 1932.
The Pearling path is an itinerary in the historic part of Muharraq – the path is marked with lampposts shaped as pearls!
Pearling Path has been the UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012, and includes a number of restored historical buildings in Muharraq. Let me show you some of the landmarks there!
The Qal’at Bu Mahir is the very beginning of the Pearling path. It was founded by the Portuguese but the current fortification dates to 1840. It dominated the surrounding and protected the Muharraq. Later in 1868 it was partly destroyed by the British (it used to have four towers and mighty walls).
Other important sights of the Pearling path are the following. Al Ghus House, or the pearl diver house where you can learn how hard was this occupation; the Nukhidhah House, or the boat captain house; and a few Art galleries.
Siyadi House, Siyadi Majlis, and Siyadi Mosque, all belonged to the prosperous pearl merchants. Come here to see the amazing interiors and the fantastic exhibition on Bahraini pearls including the insight into pearl classification – for instance, Jiwan pearl is considered the purest and the most perfect one! – and Cartier masterpieces that included local pearls.
Many of those buildings were erected in the first part of the 20th century and marvelously reconstructed.
7. Marassi Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
As you probably know, shopping culture is very important in the Middle East, and there are many shopping malls that can be seen as proper landmarks. This brand-new shopping mall is definitely one of them.
Marassi Galleria is a wonderful destination for the whole family: although some places are still not open, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, a hypermarket, and high-end luxury shops such as Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci waiting for you. We absolutely loved New Shanghai, Arena, and Kanemochi there. It’s also home to the largest aquarium in the country!
Besides that, the Marassi Aquarium and Underwater Zoo located there is the largest aquarium in Bahrain.
There are many rare and unusual fish, as well as local fish here, and you can participate in the backstage tour of the aquarium as well.
This comes with an extra fee, but during this tour, you can see all the technology supporting the aquarium and the medical facilities for the fish.
8. Bahrain Financial district
BFH, or Bahrain Financial district, built on reclaimed land has a fantastic waterfront with many attractions.
There are restaurants, bridges, sculptures, green gardens, and a number of prominent buildings worth seeing in the dimmed light such as the large Four season hotel and Arcapita cubic mosque.
I’d suggest you take a boat at the Avenues mall in the evening at the waterfront to spend marvellous 15 minutes exploring the Financial district from the water!
9. Bahrain National Museum
The Bahrain National Museum is the largest museum in the country and was opened in 1988 (and now it seems that a grand redevelopment of the area around it is coming!).
It’s located in a large building with a sculpture garden at the entrance, and collection is spread throughout the following sections: the Hall of Graves, the ancient Dilmun civilization archaeological research, the Customs and traditions, the Tylos and Islamic periods, and the Manuscripts.
If you love museums, try visiting Beit Al Quran too.
10. The Avenues
One of your stops in Manama should be the Avenues, a shopping mall along the Bahrain bay. It might remind you of the Avenues in Kuwait, and you won’t be mistaken: it’s a little sister to that huge mall!
The first part of it opened in 2017, and the second is due to open this year. Its a large alley with shops and cafes on both sides, and it’s a really nice place to be whether you’re up to some Sephora skincare, Starbucks or EL&N coffee, cinema or local perfumes or sweets!
The Avenues mall has been extended since our last visit – now it’s really huge! But still smaller than the one in Kuwait. Other malls to visit are Moda mall and City Centre mall (check my guide to Manama and Muharraq for more info).
Where to stay in Bahrain? Sheraton Bahrain
We stayed at the Sheraton Bahrain this time: the hotel has just been refurbished and looks completely brand new!
The breakfast area overlooking the pool is large and bright, and the selection of food is excellent: Arabic, Asian, and Western cuisines are all available. Besides that, they have a small high-tech indoor herb garden!
Our room was large and very stylish thanks to the recent renovations, and our windows open up to the Avenues Mall and the Bahrain World Trade Center.
The hotel is linked to the Moda Shopping mall.
You can also check my guides about:
Hope you liked my blog,
Yours,
Anna xxx
