Review of Bahrain
Bahrain
Take flights to Bahrain for maze-like souks, tasty streetside shawarma and diving with the hope of pearls.
Things to do
Multicoloured fish and pods of dolphins teem in the Gulf's clear, shallow waters. Go diving in the oyster beds in search of Bahrain's famous natural pearls. If you're lucky, you'll find a pearl to take home from your Bahrain holiday.
Shopping
Lose yourself in Manama's spice-scented souks on your Bahrain city break. Haggle for saffron and syrupy dates, richly hued kaftans and Persian carpets, gold and pearls. Small talk and ghawa (Arabic coffee) are part of the fun.
Restaurants
Hungry Bahrain locals flock to Manama's famous Shawarma Alley for juicy spit-roast chicken or lamb, mixed with minty tabbouleh wheat salad and stuffed into a soft pita. Join the queue at roadside stalls to try out the Middle Eastern snack.
Nightlife
Fruity smoke drifts from hookah pipes in Manama's bohemian coffee houses, perfect for a relaxed drink after flights to Bahrain. At weekends, Bahranians head to Juffair district, where DJs spin Latino in über-cool lounges and belly dancers entertain in supper clubs.
When to go
KLM has frequent flights to Bahrain. Catch the racing action of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in March or April, or camel riding and family fun at the Muharraq Summer Festival.
