Uncover Bahrain's Best-Kept Travel Secrets

Bahrain is a beautiful island nation nestled in the Persian Gulf, boasting around 51 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country is known for its stunning architectural buildings, mosques, museums, and traditional markets that reflect its rich culture. Here is a list of must-visit places in Bahrain:

- Manama: The capital city of Bahrain, known for its striking skyline, including the iconic twin towers and the Bahrain World Trade Center.

- Bahrain National Museum: The largest public museum in the country, showcasing the country's rich history and archaeological artefacts.

- Beit Al Quran: A place of religious significance, housing a rich collection of Qurans from different centuries and translations.

- Riffa Fort: A classic piece of Bahraini fortification, with a small museum and interactive exhibits.

- Tree of Life: A 400-year-old tree in the desert, surviving without any apparent water source, believed to be located where the Garden of Eden once was.

- Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve: A natural reserve and zoo, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare bird species.

- Muharraq: The third-largest city in Bahrain, known for its traditional souks, cafes, and historical significance as a former capital and trade centre.

- Marassi Beach: A tropical retreat offering a plethora of water sports activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, and banana boat rides.

- Amwaj Islands: A group of artificial islands with luxury resorts, restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls.

- Bahrain International Circuit: A racecourse complex that hosts the Formula One Grand Prix, attracting racing enthusiasts from around the world.

Manama: The capital city, known for its skyscrapers, traditional souks and lavish malls

Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, is a beautiful amalgamation of the traditional and the contemporary. The city's skyline is adorned with glistening skyscrapers, standing tall alongside ancient structures. The most striking features of Manama's skyline are the twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Center, which soar to a height of 240 meters.

Manama is home to several lavish malls, offering a diverse range of shopping experiences. From elite shopping destinations like the Moda Mall to bustling traditional markets, the city caters to a wide range of tastes and budgets. The Seef Mall, for instance, offers a wide variety of shops and cafes, while the Al Hayat Shopping Centre provides a quick shopping experience with a supermarket, cafes, and fashion retailers. The Bahrain Mall, with its variety of restaurants and cinemas, is another popular destination.

For those seeking a more traditional shopping experience, Manama Souq is a must-visit. This ancient market, located in the heart of the city, is a warren of narrow streets and alleyways emanating south from Bab Al Bahrain. Here, you can find everything from electronic goods and t-shirts to spices and shisha pipes. The bustling atmosphere of the souq evokes the ancient trading traditions of the region.

In addition to its modern and traditional shopping destinations, Manama also boasts architectural landmarks that reflect its rich history and cultural heritage. The Bahrain National Museum, for instance, is the country's most popular attraction, offering an outstanding introduction to Bahrain's history with signage in both English and Arabic. The museum is spread across 27,800 square meters and houses artefacts dating back thousands of years.

With its blend of old and new, Manama offers a unique experience that showcases the best of Bahrain's culture, architecture, and hospitality.

Muharraq: The third-largest city, known for its traditional souk, mint tea and hookah pipes

Muharraq, the third-largest city in Bahrain, is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and traditional Bahraini culture. Located on Muharraq Island, the city is known for its traditional souk, mint tea, and hookah pipes.

Muharraq has a rich history, serving as a powerful trade centre in ancient times and as the country's capital until 1923 when it was replaced by Manama. Today, it is the headquarters of Gulf Air and the home of Muharraq Club, Bahrain's most successful football club.

The city is also known for its stunning cafes that serve delicious mint tea and hookah pipes, as well as its souk, where you can find Middle Eastern ornaments and souvenirs.

For those interested in architecture, Muharraq is home to Seef Mall and Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park, which offers a panoramic view of Manama by the sea. The city is also close to the Dohat Arad Lagoon, a pleasant location to visit, especially at sunset.

With its historical significance, traditional souk, and cultural offerings, Muharraq is a charming city that provides a glimpse into Bahrain's past and present.

Bahrain National Museum: The country's largest public museum, with ancient artefacts and exhibits

The Bahrain National Museum is a must-visit destination in Bahrain. It is the country's largest and oldest public museum, offering a wealth of ancient artefacts and exhibits that showcase the rich history and diverse culture of this small nation in the Persian Gulf.

History of the Museum

The museum was founded in 1988 as Bahrain's first public museum by Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Designed by Danish architects Krohn & Hartvig Rasmussen, the modern design of this 27,800 square metre structure sits harmoniously on an artificial peninsula overlooking the neighbouring island of Muharraq. The museum is characterised by its white travertine marble facade and is centrally located, making it a convenient cultural landmark for visitors.

Exhibits and Collections

The Bahrain National Museum is home to a vast array of exhibits that span 6,000 years of Bahraini history, from antiquity to the modern era. Here are some of the key exhibits and collections that make this museum a fascinating destination:

• Ancient Dilmun Civilisation: The museum has three rooms dedicated to the ancient Dilmun civilisation (5000-4000 BC), displaying sarcophagi, funerary objects, and artefacts from sites like the Barbar Temple. These exhibits offer insights into the daily life, religious beliefs, and maritime trade of this ancient culture.
• Islamic Art Exhibition: The museum houses a collection of Islamic art, including illustrated manuscripts, ceramics, and metallic objects. This exhibition showcases the Islamic portion of Bahraini history, from the adoption of Islam in the 7th century AD until the 18th century.
• Pre-Oil Bahraini Culture: There is a section dedicated to Bahraini culture and lifestyle prior to the discovery of oil in 1932, giving visitors a glimpse into the traditional way of life in Bahrain.
• Natural History: The museum also has a hall dedicated to the natural environment of Bahrain, featuring specimens of local flora and fauna.
• Interactive Exhibitions: The museum's interactive exhibitions, particularly those on marine life in the Persian Gulf, are popular among visitors of all ages.

Practical Information

The Bahrain National Museum is located in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. It is open six days a week, from 9 am to 8 pm, and closed on Tuesdays. The general admission fee is 1 Bahraini dinar for adults and 0.5 dinars for students, while children under six and persons with disabilities can enter for free.

Al Fatih Mosque: Bahrain's grand mosque, built in honour of the founder of modern Bahrain

Bahrain is a beautiful island nation nestled in the Persian Gulf, comprising around 51 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country is brimmed with stunning architectural buildings, mosques, museums, and traditional markets that reflect its rich culture.

One of the must-visit places in Bahrain is Al Fatih Mosque, also known as Al Fateh Grand Mosque. It is Bahrain's grand mosque, built as a grand statement in honour of the founder of modern Bahrain, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, who was known as 'Al Fatih' (the conqueror). The mosque's foundation stone was laid by his direct descendant, the late emir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, in 1983, exactly 200 years after Al Fatih liberated the nation from the Persians.

The construction of the mosque began in 1984 and was completed in 1987 or 1988. It is located in Juffair, a suburban neighbourhood of Manama, and is part of the Ahmed Al-Fateh Islamic Center, which includes a department for Qur'anic studies and an Islamic library. The mosque covers an area of 6,500 square meters and is one of the largest mosques in the world, with the capacity to accommodate over 7,000 worshippers at a time.

The mosque features a huge dome constructed entirely of fibreglass, weighing over 60 tons. Marble from Italy was used for the floors, glass from Austria for the windows, and teak from India for the majestic 6-metre-high doors. Throughout the mosque, you will find Kufic calligraphy adorning the walls.

The Al Fatih Mosque offers free guided tours with dedicated English- and Arabic-speaking guides available every day. Visitors are advised to dress modestly when visiting the mosque. It is open from 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday to Thursday, and is also open to visitors on Fridays.

In addition to its religious significance, the mosque is one of the premier tourist attractions in Bahrain, offering a glimpse into the country's Islamic heritage and architecture.

Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve: A natural reserve and zoo, home to exotic birds, flora and fauna

Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve is a must-visit destination in Bahrain, especially for those who love nature and wildlife. This natural reserve and zoo is located in Sakhir, Bahrain, and is one of the five designated protected areas in the country. It is also the only protected area on land in the Kingdom.

The park was established in 1976 and has undergone significant renovations over the years. It now covers an area of 7 square kilometres and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park features 100,000 planted flora and trees, over 45 species of animals, 82 species of birds, and 25 species of flora. Some of the animals you can find here include the Arabian oryx, South African cheetah, lion, African wild dog, and Persian gazelle. The park also has a captive breeding policy for endangered species.

The Al Areen area is divided into two 400-hectare sections. One section is open to the public, while the other is a restricted reserve for specialists, researchers, and veterinarians. The public can access the reserve area through tour buses from the main entrance.

Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve is a great place to spend a day with your family, and it is located just a 40-minute drive from Manama, connected by a highway. So, if you're looking for a break from the city and want to immerse yourself in nature, this is the perfect spot!

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