My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Post originally Published December 12, 2016 || Last Updated September 26, 2019

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My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20Things to do Bahrain - Understand


Bahrain is often cited as the best Gulf destination. Despite its close relations with Saudi Arabia, the small island is known to be a tolerant and warm host, though it is generally very expensive andvery hot.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Bahrain will impress you with its understated version of Arab luxury and hospitality. The people are exceptionally friendly and within 24 hours of landing I had been invited to visit Saudi Arabia several times.

Bahrain does not have the 'theme park' attractions that Dubai, Abu Dhabi and (most recently)Doha have built, but it makes up for it with a relaxed lifestyle and authenticity. This nation has never seen'Las Vegas'-style development and there is plenty of unused land left outside of Manama.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Bahrain is said to have the Gulf's best food (the bar is usually set low in the Gulf countries) and I tend to agree now.

What else is in this post?

  1. My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Understand
  2. My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Get Around
  3. My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Safety
  4. My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Sights
  5. My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Eat & Drink

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Get Around


Driving is the best way to get around, rental cars are generally cheap and gas is very cheap here. Taxis and Uber are rare to find and expensive. Parking is also free almost everywhere. It's a good idea to rent a car right at the airport (where they are cheapest). I had a rental with Avis and had no troubles with the professional rental car station.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Safety


Safety is generally not an issue in Bahrain. The nation recently saw protests but on a smallscale. Locals and expats tend to get along very well here.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Sights


Bahrain isn't rich in sights but has managed to build the ones it does have with care. There is no Ferrari World, indoor skiing or the world's largest mall here.

Bahrain National Museum

Museums in the gulf countries are challenged in bringing together enough local history for an exhibition.The Bahrain National Museum does a great job of highlighting life in Bahrain before the discovery of oil. It is also a magnificent building and Darseen, the museum coffee shop, has a fantastic view over the water. The entrance fee is just $3.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Bahrain Fort & Museum

Unlike most other city states along the Gulf, Bahrain has no Corniche, though Bahrain Fort area is the closestsubstitute. The fort itself is free of charge to explore and the museum is $6. The best time to visit is around sunset; keep in mind that this happens at around 4PM in winter.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

La Fontaine

I did not think much of this place at first and rather wanted to explore the area around it. That was a mistake; this old, stately building expresses much of the warmth and hospitality of the Gulf countries. The colors, architecture and the sheer quiet make it a lovely place. The restaurant has a fantastic garden, but keep in mind that prices are sky-high here.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center is a modern addition to the Bahrain skyline and the building features wind turbines between the towers! If you have a free Regus BusinessWorld membership, you can use the excellent office on the 9th floor.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Four Seasons Hotel

I didn't havetime to see this hotel during my stay, but locals speak highly of it. Expect to splurge on anything you buy here, though.





Bab Al-Bahrain Souq

This souq isn't exactly a must-see attraction, but it has been beautifully restored and has a number of good eateries and tons of shops around it. If you need your phone fixed, this is the place to go.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Al Fateh Grand Mosque

The Al Fateh Grand Mosque is visited by up to 7,000 worshipers every Friday. It's a beautiful Manama landmark that should be on your list.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Tree of Life

Bahrain isn't a big country and it's easy to explore by car. About an hour south of Manama in a patch of desert (where there's lots of oil pumping stations), this huge, 400-year-old tree stands tall. There is no apparent source of water but the tree is green throughout the year. It spawned a settlement and there are some ruins that remain as evidence.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Bahrain International Circuit

We were lucky enough to visitduring a race and I thought the track was really impressive. However,it is in the middle of nowhere, so you should research carefully if there will be any activity there before you make a special trip.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

This Sofitel is right next to the race track and is a lovely desert oasis; the pool area is just gorgeous! The lobby bar often serves excellent Arabic coffee and dates and I could not get enough of either!

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

King Fahd Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway connects the island nation of Bahrain with Saudi Arabia. It's a six-lane bridge and rumored to be extended to 18 lanes (!) soon. Traffic on the weekends can be especially unpredictable. I asked around and was told you can drive to Saudi (even without a visa) and just return in the middle, though I did not tryit. However, it's still likely you'll have to pay the full toll anyways.



Arad Fort

Arad Fort is a smallish structure on the airport island. While there isn't much to see really, it is nice to walk around at sunset time and enjoy the little park and view towards the city.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Al Riwaq Art Space

This is actually a cafe, but you can seecontemporary art there, which is a rare sight in Bahrain.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain - Eat & Drink


The Orangery

The Orangery is like stepping into a franchise-inspired oasis from the washed out white noise of Bahrain traffic. It's part of a hotel development and easy to miss even if you know the area (most taxi drivers I spoke to had never heard of it). The Orangery does everything right; we tried the sandwiches, granola, falafel and coffee and it was all excellent.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Unfortunately it is also VERY expensive. $30 will just about buy you a small breakfast and $20 a small sandwich.

Moh'd Noor Al-Bokhari

The grilled chicken biryani is hard to beat in price ($5) and volume. It's good, fresh food for a reasonable price, but expect no atmosphere or service here.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Meisei

Meisei gets great reviews for its food and ambiance, though it's too expensive.





The area around it has a number of interesting (and some outright weird) bars that are worth checking out when you are bored. A beer can be had for as little as $5 - an incredible steal in Bahrain.

Atlanta Ice Cream

Atlanta Ice Cream is in the rather raggedy Al Doha Avenue in Isa Town outside of Manama. The street belongs more in Egypt than in Bahrain or Saudi. There are precious few signs but just drive up and start honking and a waiter will come out - then you can eat that delicious ice cream cone in your car. At least that's the way the locals do it here.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain



Muharraq Souq Eateries

The souq area has a number of placesthat serve food in the marketplace. Some of them (like Saffron by Jena) have outlets in other places on the island, too.





Starbucks Diplomatic Area

I rarely feature Starbucks, but this one has a good atmosphere, free and fast WiFi and above average staff (including baristas). If you run out of caffeine, come here for an espresso and a surprisingly good breakfast granola.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain



Adliya 338includingMadeleine

This whole area is just so calm - you would not believe you are in the Gulf. Adliya 338features eateries such as Madeleine that have excellent desserts and decent coffee.



There are someother restaurants even more popular with the locals right here as well. Adliya 338 is just a few city blocks, but is a culinary hotspot in the area.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Moti Mahal

Moti Mahal likely has the best Indian cuisine in Manama. Curries are indeed spicy and tasty, though expensive.

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

My Favorite 20 Things to do Bahrain

Trader Vic's

Yes, Trader Vic's is a chain, but in the Gulf it is often a landmark for locals and tourists alike. The local version is at the Ritz-Carlton and always worth stopping by. However, prepare yourself for $30 plus drinks.





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