Things to do in Bahrain
Start your trip at the Bahrain National Museum to understand the historical significance of ancient archaeological sites such as Bahrain Fort, where you can walk on the ramparts and take in beautiful city views. See exciting Middle Eastern art at Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya, then head to the desert for some serious pampering at the Banyan Tree Spa in Al Areen.
Albareh Art Gallery
Exciting Middle Eastern art
Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya is the place to view and snap up paintings,
sculptures and photography by established and hot up-and-coming Middle
Eastern artists. Make up your mind over a tasty snack in the delightful
art-adorned café.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Gallery: daily 10am-8pm; café: daily 10am-11pm
Address
Road 3624, Block 336, Adliya, Manama, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1771 7707
La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art
Cultural oasis
A beautiful example of 19th-century Islamic architecture, the La Fontaine art
centre in Manama was once a pearl merchant's home but now showcases
international art in a gallery that wraps around a courtyard where
performances are held under the stars.
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Cost
Free but you pay for performances
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-1pm & 4pm-6pm, or later when there's a performance
Address
92, Hoora Ave, Manama, Bahrain 306
Telephone
+973 1723 0123
Beit Al-Qur'an
Qur'ans and calligraphy
Housed in an Arabic-script-engraved building, the Diplomatic Area's Beit Al
Qur'an features a mosque, a library and an internationally celebrated
collection of Qur'anic manuscripts. Offering insights into Islam, this is
also a treat for those interested in calligraphy.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Sat-Wed 9am-12pm & 4pm-6pm; Thur 9am-12.30pm
Address
Exhibition Rd, Diplomatic Area, Manama, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1729 0101
Transport
Taxi
Bahrain National Museum
Ancient artefacts
The BHD13-million Bahrain National Museum, set on the East Corniche, tells
Bahrain's fascinating story through various exhibits, most notably artefacts
from the ancient civilisation of Dilmun, a burial mound transferred from the
desert and a showcase of Bahraini customs.
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Cost
500 fils; children under 13 free
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-8pm
Address
Shaikh Hamad Causeway, East Corniche, Manama, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1729 8777
Transport
Taxi
Bahrain Fort
Layers of history
Built during the Portuguese occupation in the 1500s, Bahrain Fort is an
imposing sight on the edge of the sea in Karbabad Village. More importantly,
it sits atop several layers of civilisation, going back as far as 2300
BC.
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Opening Hours
During daylight
Address
Karbabad Village, Bahrain
Transport
Taxi or car
King Fahd Causeway
Bridging kingdoms
Opened in 1986, the 15.5-mile King Fahd Causeway is one the most expensive
bridges ever built. A giant cultural landmark, it links the Kingdom of
Bahrain to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, crossing the wildlife-rich Umm Nasan
Island.
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Cost
BHD2-BHD5
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Telephone
+973 17 796321
Barbar Temple
Ancient place of worship
It is believed that the Barbar Temple was built in three stages between 3,000
and 2,000 BC to worship the legendary God Enki. Remains include two
sacrificial altars, a well and walls made of huge stone blocks.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily (closed Fri)
Address
South of Barbar Village, Bahrain
Transport
Car or tour company
Al Jasra House
History and handicrafts
Al Jasra Village offers interesting cultural insights via the 100-year-old Al
Jasra House where Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa was born, and the
Handicraft Centre, where you can watch craftsmen making boats and weaving
cloth and baskets.
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Cost
Al Jasra House 200 fils; Handicraft Centre free
Opening Hours
Mon-Wed & Sun 7am-6pm; Thu & Sat 9am-6pm
Address
Al Jasra Village, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1761 1454
Transport
Car, taxi or tour company
Al Fateh Mosque
Islamic prayer dome
Featuring the world's largest fibreglass dome and beautiful Arabic
architecture, Juffair's Al Fateh Mosque and Islamic Centre can accommodate
7,000 worshippers at a time. Non-Muslims are not only welcome, they are
provided with modest attire and a guided tour.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Open for visits except at prayer times and on Fridays
Address
King Faisal Highway, Juffair, Manama, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1772 7773
Transport
Taxi
Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park
Waterpark in the desert
A fun day out for kids, the sprawling Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park in
Al Areen features a lazy river, sandy beach, wave pool and a multitude of
slides set amid fake ruins inspired by ancient Dilmun.
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Cost
Visitors taller than 1.2m BHD14 per day; shorter than 1.2m BHD5
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 10am-5pm (closed Dec to Mar)
Address
Al Areen, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1784 5100
The Royal Golf Club
Golfing oasis
Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the championship course at Riffa's Royal Golf
Club blends elements of links and desert golf. Beginners can try the
nine-hole Academy course, and a floodlighting system even allows play in the
cool of the evening.
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Cost
BHD60; concessions BHD48
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-11pm
Address
PO Box 39117, Riffa
Telephone
+973 (0) 17 750 777
Bahrain International Circuit
High-speed thrills
The International Circuit hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix every March, and
offers a host of other activities. Try go-karting or take a 4x4 around the
track. Those who like their entertainment a bit more sedate can take a
circuit tour.
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Cost
Circuit tour BHD6
Opening Hours
Daily noon-midnight
Address
Gate 225, Gulf of Bahrain Avenue, Umm Jidar, Sakhir 1062
Telephone
+973 17 45 0000
Banyan Tree Spa
Desert retreat
The Banyan Tree Spa Al Areen is a luxurious escape from the city. Enjoy a
massage in a palatial Asian-flavoured pavilion or spend the morning in the
state-of-the-art hydrothermal garden before lunching over vistas of desert
and palm trees.
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Cost
Massages from BHD45; Hydrothermal Garden (2 hours) BHD35
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-10pm
Address
Al Areen, Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1784 5000
Tree of Life
National mystery
At 400 years old, the Tree of Life has outlived the average Acacia by 300
years with no visible source of water. Although disfigured by graffiti, it
has a certain mystique that makes the drive into the desert worthwhile.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Off the Musakar Highway, between Riffa and Awali, near Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain
Transport
Car (an SUV is recommended as it's surrounded by sand)
Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife viewing
The Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary in Zallaq Village is home to several Arabian
mammals, most notably the graceful Arabian Oryx and the Reem Gazelle. It's
well known for also attracting flocks of migratory birds. View them all on
the park's guided bus tour.
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Cost
BHD1; children 500 fils
Opening Hours
Sat-Thu 9am-5pm; bus tours: on the hour every hour
Address
Zallaq Village (approximately 20km south of Manama), Bahrain
Telephone
+973 1784 5000
