Exploring Bahrain: Cruise Ships And Attractions

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, blending ancient and modern attractions. From skyscrapers to archaeological sites, and pearl trading to Formula 1 racing, Bahrain offers a unique experience for visitors. Cruise ships stopping in Bahrain include the MSC Euribia, which offers 4-night and 7-night cruises around the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, starting in Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. The PONANT Le Bougainville also offers a 10-night cruise from Muscat to Doha, stopping in Bahrain.

Khalifa Bin Salman Port

The Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) is a modern, multipurpose port facility in Bahrain, located on 110 hectares of reclaimed land in Salman Industrial City. It opened on April 1st, 2009, and is managed by APM Terminals Bahrain, a subsidiary of the global leader in port management, APM Terminals B.V. (Netherlands). The port boasts a 1,800-metre quay, including a 900-metre square container terminal served by four 61-metre post-Panamax cranes. KBSP is well-positioned to be a premier transhipment hub for the Northern Arabian Gulf, with its deep-water berths and direct overland links to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

KBSP offers a wide range of services, including container operations, general cargo, Ro-Ro, break bulk projects, and passenger terminal services. The port can handle container vessels with high efficiency, matching the productivity of the most advanced ports worldwide. Its strategic location in the Arabian Gulf enables it to accommodate the largest ocean-going container vessels. The port also provides complementary Wi-fi and logistical services that adhere to international standards, ensuring a seamless experience for its customers.

The operator, APM Terminals Bahrain, prioritises safety as an integral part of its core values. The company aims to provide a safe work environment for all port users, including employees, contractors, customers, and the public. They have implemented a Total Productive Maintenance program to maximise equipment reliability and reduce breakdowns. Additionally, the use of a Differential Global Positioning System on terminal RTGs ensures automatic updates of container positions, enhancing workplace safety and productivity.

KBSP is the only general commercial port facility in Bahrain and handles all containerised cargo to and from the country. It has been recognised as a sustainability leader, ranking among the top 10 companies in the transport and logistics sector on the prestigious 2024 Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders list. The port's efficient operations and modern infrastructure contribute significantly to Bahrain's economic growth and development.

Manama, the capital

The National Museum is a great place to start your visit to Manama, as it provides an overview of the history and customs of the territory. Here, you can see sculptures dating back 5,000 years to the Babylonian era. The Al Fateh Mosque (or Al Fateh Grand Mosque) is another must-see in Manama. This immense holy building with two imposing minarets can host up to 7,000 faithful. The mosque was constructed using materials from all over the world, including Indian lamps made of inlaid wood, a Swarovski crystal chandelier from Austria, and Italian Carrara marble.

For those interested in ancient history, Qal’at al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located a short distance from Manama. The fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but the site itself has been occupied since around 2800 BC. The nearby museum showcases 500 artefacts found at the site. Manama also offers easy access to the A'ali Burial Mounds, the world's largest cemetery.

When it comes to food, Arabic cuisine in Manama is known for its strong flavours and spices. Lamb is the principal meat, but chicken, turkey and duck are also commonly consumed. Arak, a grape spirit flavoured with aniseed, and beer are the most common drinks. For those looking to indulge in some shopping, Manama Souq, the city's traditional open-air market, offers pearls, perfume, colourful hand-painted ceramics, silver jewellery, brass coffee pots, and carpets.

National Museum

The Bahrain National Museum is the largest and oldest public museum in Bahrain. It is situated in the capital, Manama, and is the country's most popular tourist attraction. The museum was opened in 1988 by the Emir of Bahrain, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and was constructed on an artificial peninsula overlooking the neighbouring island of Muharraq. The modern museum was designed by Danish architects Krohn & Hartvig Rasmussen and features six permanent exhibitions, an educational hall, a gift shop and a cafeteria, in addition to administrative offices, laboratories and warehouses.

The museum possesses a collection of Bahrain's ancient archaeological artefacts, covering around 5,000 years of Bahrain's history. The complex includes three halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient Dilmun civilisation, with exhibits including Dilmunite stamp seals, artefacts from Barbar and Saar temples, and Dilmunite pottery. A notable exhibit is the Durand Stone, a long black basalt sculpture dating back to the Babylonian era. The Hall of Dilmun Graves focuses on the burial practices of the Dilmun civilisation and features an actual burial mound which was transported from its original site and reassembled within the museum.

The Hall of Tylos and Islam covers the Hellenic-influenced history of Bahrain from the 2nd century BC, as well as interactions with the Seleucid Empire and Characene Kingdom. The Islamic portion of the exhibit follows Bahrain's adoption of Islam in the 7th century AD until the 18th century, featuring artefacts from the Khamis Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bahrain.

The Hall of Documents and Manuscripts displays rare copies of the Quran from the 13th and 14th centuries, notes on astronomy, and historical documents and letters from the ruling Al Khalifa family.

The Hall of Customs and Traditions focuses on the customs and traditions of Bahrain prior to the discovery of oil in 1932, including aspects of everyday life such as childhood, marriage, fashion, and local religious and medical practices.

The Hall of Traditional Trades and Crafts features a recreation of a traditional Bahraini souq, showcasing traditional craftsmen and including a section on pearl diving, a key component of the country's pre-oil economy.

Al Fateh Mosque

If you're planning to take a cruise that stops in Bahrain, one of the must-see attractions is the Al Fateh Mosque, also known as the Al Fateh Grand Mosque. This magnificent structure is located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, and is part of an Islamic centre that includes a department for Qur'anic studies and an Islamic library.

The Al Fateh Mosque was built by the late Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and opened in 1988, although some sources state it was completed in 1987 or even 1984. It is named after Ahmed Al Fateh and is one of the largest mosques in the world, covering 6,500 square metres. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate over 7,000 worshippers at a time and features a huge dome constructed entirely of fibreglass, weighing over 60 tons.

The mosque is a stunning example of architectural grandeur and intricate design. The marble used in the floors was imported from Italy, the chandelier came from Austria, and the doors were made of teak wood from India. Throughout the mosque, you'll find Kufic calligraphy adorning the walls. The library of the Ahmed Al-Fateh Islamic Centre is truly impressive, housing around 7,000 books, some of which are over a hundred years old. These include ancient texts such as the books of the teachings of Muhammad, the Global Arabic Encyclopedia, the Encyclopedia of Islamic Jurisprudence, and Al-Azhar journals.

The Al Fateh Mosque serves not only as a place of worship but also as one of the premier tourist attractions in Bahrain. It is open to visitors from 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday to Thursday, with special arrangements required for large groups or visitors who do not speak English. Visitors are expected to adhere to a dress code and code of conduct that respects the sanctity of the mosque as a place of worship.

Qal’at al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort)

Qalat al Bahrain, also known as Bahrain Fort or Portuguese Fort, is an archaeological site located on Bahrain Island, on the northern seashore. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed as such in 2005. The site covers 17.5 hectares and has been described as Bahrain's "most important site in antiquity".

The fort stands on a tell—an artificial mound created by successive layers of human occupation. The strata span an area of 180,000 sq ft (16,723 sq m) and encompass the tell, revealing near-continuous human presence from c. 2300 BCE to the 16th century CE. The 12-metre-high mound features the impressive Qal`at al-Burtughal (Portuguese fort), which gave the whole site its name, qal`a, meaning "fort".

The site has been occupied by various peoples, including the Kassites, Greeks, Portuguese, and Persians, from c. 2300 BCE up to the 18th century. It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilisation, which, according to the Epic of Gilgamesh, was the "land of immortality" and a meeting place of the gods. The Dilmun civilisation's existence was previously only known from written Sumerian references, so the archaeological findings at Qalat al Bahrain offer valuable insights.

The first Bahrain Fort was built around three thousand years ago on the northeastern peak of Bahrain Island. The present fort dates from the 6th century CE. The site has revealed structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious, and military, highlighting its importance as a trading port over the centuries.

Excavations at the site have uncovered a range of artefacts, including snake bowls, sarcophagi, seals, a mirror, cuneiform tablets, and relics of copper and ivory. Many vessels have also been found, providing further evidence of ancient trade links.

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