Bahrain’s Only Travel Guide You Need For A Great Trip in 11 Easy Steps

Bahrain’s Only Travel Guide You Need For A Great Trip in 11 Easy Steps

Bahrain’s Background

 

Because of its modest size and strategic placement among Persian Gulf countries, Bahrain must perform a careful balancing act in foreign relations with its bigger neighbors. With its oil supplies dwindling, Bahrain has moved to petroleum processing and refining, as well as transforming itself into an international finance hub.

The new prince (Amir), who took office in 1999, has pushed for economic and political changes as well as efforts to improve ties with the Shi’a population. Bahraini voters supported a referendum on the National Action Charter, the cornerstone of the Amir’s political reform agenda, in February 2001. Amir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared himself king in February 2002.

Mini Bahrain, located in the Persian Gulf, has a considerably longer history than its bigger neighbors. It is less opulent than Dubai or Doha, but more vibrant than Kuwait. On weekends, Saudis used to flock here to let their hair down. Bahrain is as libertarian as it gets in the Gulf. Bahrain was originally known as Dilmun, which was another name for Eden in The Epic of Gilgamesh, and this Eden is now available to travelers — simply fly in and acquire your visa on arrival.

Want to tour one of the region’s most stunning forts? Visit Bahrain. Walk through Muharraq’s twisting lanes for some really authentic Gulf charm, as opposed to the spruced-up tourist versions found elsewhere. Visit some of the Dilmun’s remains or look out over Manama’s contemporary skyline from Muharraq. Also, remember to pay your respects to the Tree of Life (aka Shajarat-al-Hayat) which is a 400-year-old tree in the middle of the desert.

 

“Bahrain combines history and a lively present like an oyster, from the ancient Dilmun empire and its rich and varied culture to its pearling past and current wealth, seen in its skyscrapers and modern architecture.

 

Bahrain is one of the Gulf region’s most liberal and tolerant governments; yet, there has recently been significant unrest between the mainly Shia Muslim people and the governing Sunni elite. It is important to stay up to date on current events, but in general, the hostility is not focused on visitors.

Bahrain is a small country that is reasonably easy to navigate. If you desire, you can walk to many of the attractions, but be warned, it is scorching hot. Although Arabic is the official language, English is commonly spoken and understood.

Despite its tiny size, Bahrain has a lot to offer. From diving excursions to museums of modern art, horseback riding, fishing, dolphin spotting, visiting traditional residences, strolling through the ancient market, and so much more. It’s unquestionably a nation to add to your bucket list.

Top Places in Bahrain

Bahrain Fort

The Qal’at al-Bahrain, commonly known as the Bahrain Fort or the Portuguese Fort, is a Bahrain archaeological monument and one of three forts in the country. Archaeological investigations since 1954 have revealed artifacts from a 12 m high artificial mound with seven layered strata, built by diverse inhabitants from 2300 BC to the 18th century, including Kassites, Greeks, Portuguese, and Persians. It was originally the Dilmun civilization’s capital and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Bahrain National Museum

The Bahrain National Museum is the country’s largest and oldest public museum. It is located in Manama, next to the Bahrain National Theatre. The $30 million museum complex, which occupies 27,800 square meters and was inaugurated on December 15, 1988 by Bahrain’s Emir, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is the country’s most popular tourist destination. It is said to be the area’s first modern museum.

Al-Fateh Mosque

The Al-Fateh Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques, spanning 6,500 square meters and accommodating approximately 7,000 worshippers at once. The mosque was named after Ahmed Al Fateh and was erected in 1987 by the late Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The National Library of Bahrain moved to Al-Fateh in 2006.

 

Bab Al Bahrain

Bab Al Bahrain is a historical structure in Manama’s core commercial sector, located near Customs Square. It is located at the main entrance to the Manama Souq. Bab Al Bahrain, planned by the British adviser to the emir, Charles Belgrave, and opened in 1949, previously existed on the Manama shoreline. The building is now several kilometers inland due to substantial land reclamation in the latter half of the twentieth century. The square is often regarded as the region’s first official public area.

Bahrain International Circuit

The Bahrain International Circuit is a 5.412-kilometer-long motorsport facility that debuted in 2004 and hosts drag racing, the GP2 Series, and the annual Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. The inaugural Grand Prix in the Middle East was contested in 2004. Beginning in 2006, Australian V8 Supercars raced at the BIC in the Desert 400 event. The V8 Supercars, however, did not return for the 2011 season. BIC also hosts 24-hour endurance events. The circuit is FIA Grade 1 certified. There are also other configurations for the circuit.

3-day Itinerary in Bahrain

Day 1

 

Arrive in Bahrain and start Soft Exploration

Bahrain was once known as the “Island of Pearls” for good reason, and you can participate in this historic commerce by diving for the valuable natural jewels yourself. You are permitted to pick up to sixty oysters and keep everything you discover.

Even if you’ve been inside other similarly stunning mosques, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain’s largest mosque named after the country’s founder, is worth a visit. Unlike other mosques, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque offers a guided tour (in various languages) that covers the history of the mosque as well as a broad introduction to Islam. It is without a doubt the most instructive mosque tour you will ever take.

The Manama skyline is filled with renowned structures, like the World Trade Centre, which was recently voted one of the world’s most significant skyscrapers, and there’s no better place to see it than from a rooftop restaurant. We propose visiting the Blue Moon Lounge on the 50th level of the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain Bay.

Seef Mall, also known as District, is Bahrain’s first true mall and the country’s top family shopping and entertainment destination, with distinctive architecture and a dynamic environment. It is well-positioned in Seef District, one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing residential and business districts, and has a total size of 135,000 square meters, with a gross leasable space of roughly 78,000 square meters. With world-class retail; fashion and jewelry brands for quality-conscious clientele, its 360 stores cater to a variety of lifestyles.

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This section will be added shortly.

Day 2

 

A Look Back in the Past

Bahrain National Museum, knowing nothing about Bahrain’s history before to your visit, it was only natural that you stop by the extensive and wonderfully built Bahrain National Museum. As you travel across the causeway from the airport to Manama, you’ll probably catch a sight of the spectacular museum.

The museum, which costs only 1 BD per person, gives a great overview of the island’s history, culture, and traditions. It’s tempting to dismiss Bahrain as just another oil-producing Gulf country, yet the country has a rich history that can only be appreciated by visiting the museum.

You may also go to Sheikh Isa Bin Ali’s residence for a stroll around the most aesthetically attractive authentic Arab house.

Then head to Bahrain, Qal’at al-Bahrain. As you learned at the National Museum of Bahrain, the island kingdom has a rich maritime history and was an important commercial outpost that numerous outsiders, notably the Portuguese, conquered or sought to occupy at various times. As a result, forts may be found all across the island. The Bahrain Fort, located on the northern shore near downtown Manama, provides an excellent backdrop.

Archeological findings indicate that the UNESCO World Heritage Site fort was occupied as long as 5,000 years ago. The fort is open to the public and popular with both residents and visitors. The neighboring museum costs 2 BD to enter, and if you’ve previously seen the National Exhibit of Bahrain, you may bypass the museum inside because it overlaps with what you’ve already seen.

The Dilmun Burial Mounds, these graves, some of which date back to 2050BCE, are dispersed over A’Ali, Madinat Hamad, and Janabiyah and are another UNESCO world heritage site. Some of them contain many rooms and have housed Dilmun royalty’s bodies.

After a hard day, there is no better place to cool down than The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park in this sweltering tiny nation. The Lost Paradise, Bahrain is a Dilmun Era-themed waterpark and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s first outdoor waterpark. It opened on September 2, 2007, and is Bahrain’s largest waterpark.

In the evening, you may spend your night by visiting one of the numerous restaurants, cafés, shopping centers, and neighborhoods, or simply walking about.

Day 3

 

An Active Day

The Royal Camel Farm was established on the outskirts of Manama by the late Sheikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the present king of Bahrain’s uncle. It’s a hobby farm, which means the animals aren’t kept for racing or killing, and the royal family owns hundreds of camels. The Royal Camel Farm is not well known as a tourist site. However, it is open to the public every day until sunset, so come take a look around, see the camels, and chat to the farmers.

The farm is free to visit, however there are times when you may feed or even ride the camels for a small price that can be negotiated with the personnel. The Royal Camel Farm is best visited as part of a day trip of Bahrain’s major attractions, which also include Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain National Museum, Bait Al-Qur’an Museum, Bahrain Fort, the Burial Mounds, and Manama Souq.

Next up is Bahrain’s International Circuit. Even if you can’t make it in time for the Grand Prix in Bahrain (March) you can still visit the Formula One circuit at Bahrain International Circuit. A guided tour of the circuit and Sakhir tower costs only BHD6.5, or you can also pay the premium and drive yourself.

When you are done, you may want go shopping but this time around into the old market, Bab Al Bahrain. The gateway was completed in 1949, serving as the primary entrance to the souq. The gate and customs buildings at Customs Square were previously a stone’s throw from the water’s edge, but due to land reclamation, the gate is now about a mile from the sea. From there, you may wander around the souq’s small lanes, where vendors offer anything from cell phones to herbs and spices. It’s certainly worth a trip because most of the merchants will leave you alone, allowing for a lovely evening stroll.

At nighttime, you could select from a variety of restaurants and cafés in the vicinity, or you can explore Bahrain’s retail scene. For a genuine dining experience, we recommend Haji Gahwa in Manama Souq or Saffron by Jena in Muharraq.

Last Minutes to Depart

On the same day (day 3) you can head to the airport and depart or if your flight is due the next day or late at night you may want to continue exploring some more of the sights in the country like the Tree of Life or many more attractions. 

Bahrain’s Tree of Life for instance is a 9.75-meter-tall Prosopis cineraria tree that is almost 400 years old. It is located on a hill in the Arabian Desert, 2 kilometers from Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain’s highest point, and 40 kilometers from Manama. The tree is densely packed with green foliage. The tree is a local tourist attraction and is visited by roughly 65,000 people each year due to its age and the fact that it is the only large tree growing in the region. It is unknown how the tree will survive. Throughout the year, there is little to no rain in Bahrain.

The Most Popular Food in Bahrain

There is a lot of Arabic, Levant (Levantine or Lebanese), Persian, Indian, Balochi, African, Far East, and European gastronomic influence on the cuisine, although specific Bahraini cuisines are highly popular in the nation and worth researching. Most of the dishes are also available in other countries, however the recipes have been altered.

Machboos

A well-known rice dish that may be made with either chicken or beef. The inclusion of Bahrat (a specific spice combination) and Loomi to Machboos adds to the dish’s originality (dried lime). The Bharat generates a burst of infused flavors in your tongue, while the Loomi adds just the appropriate amount of spice to the meal. Rice, chicken, or beef are typically cooked together, giving the rice a distinct taste. To finish, the rice is dusted with rose water and saffron and served with a side of Daqoos, a green chili-based sauce.

Tikka

If you like grilled chicken or beef, this is a dish you should not miss. Tikka is commonly eaten during dinnertime and comes in both beef and chicken varieties. The meat or chicken is marinated overnight and cooked fresh for you.

The chicken is marinated in tomato and paprika, and the meal comes in two varieties. The first is Yoghurt tikka, which is marinated with a yogurt mixture, and the second is Loomi tikka, which is coated with Loomi marination and has a pleasant sour taste. This is the ideal supper for meat lovers, served with freshly baked Iranian bread and vegetables.

Keema

This meal is influenced by southern Asia and is cooked using minced beef, lamb, or mutton. Peas are added to the meat after it has been browned. Some variants include a combination of peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. This meal is available all day and is popular for breakfast with a platter of fried eggs on the side.

Safi

Safi is a Bahraini fish that may be found all across the island. Locals enjoy frying this fish after seasoning it with turmeric, black pepper, dried coriander, and sumac. It is then served with simple basmati rice and fried tomatoes and eggplants on the side. Very simple, but very tasty.

Thareed

Thareed has a special place in the hearts of most residents since it is said to date back to the prophet’s time. This beef and vegetable stew is served with either regular or crunchy bread Called Regag. This native delicacy is available all year, but it is also one of the primary meals offered during the Ramadan Iftar meal.

What's the Travel Budget for Bahrain?

Final Thoughts on Bahrain

Bahrain has a deep cultural history and a lot to do and see, with an almost 5000-year-old history with the Dilmun empire and its modern lifestyle, so enticing that it’s worth traveling to. Would you?

If you’ve been to Bahrain let us know how your trip was in the comments below.

Cruisit Team

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