Manama: a first-timer's guide to Bahrain's capital

Why visit Manama

Manama is where most of Bahrain's story comes together. It grew as a port for pearls and trade, became the seat of government and is now a banking and business centre with a famous skyline: the twin sails of the Bahrain World Trade Center, the towers of the Financial Harbour and the new waterfront of Bahrain Bay. Yet it stays easy going, compact and welcoming, with far less rush than larger Gulf cities.

Bab Al Bahrain and the souq

Start at Bab Al Bahrain, the old customs gateway built in the 1940s, which once stood on the seafront before land reclamation pushed the coast north. Walk through it into Manama Souq. Lanes lead off into sections for spices, perfume and oud, textiles, electronics and household goods. Gold City, a covered arcade of jewellers, sells Bahraini gold and natural pearls. Mornings and evenings are best, as many shops close through the heat of early afternoon. Stop at a café for karak, the sweet milky spiced tea, and hot samboosa. Haji's Café and Saffron by Jena are long standing favourites for Bahraini breakfasts of balaleet and eggs with tomato.

The National Museum and the waterfront

The Bahrain National Museum is the single best place to understand the country. Its halls cover the Dilmun civilisation, the burial mounds, the Tylos period when Greek influence reached the Gulf, Islamic Bahrain, pearling and traditional life. Allow two to three hours. Next door, the Bahrain National Theatre is worth seeing for its architecture alone, and the corniche path offers a sea breeze in the cooler months.

Al Fateh Grand Mosque

In Juffair, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque holds thousands of worshippers beneath one of the largest fibreglass domes in the world. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times, with free guided tours that explain Islam and the building. Women are given an abaya and headscarf at the entrance. Dress modestly, remove your shoes and avoid Friday midday prayers.

Adliya, Juffair and Seef

Adliya is the dining and gallery quarter. Block 338 in particular is a grid of streets with murals, restaurants, cafés and bars, and it is the place most residents suggest for an evening out. Juffair has many hotels, bars and late night spots popular with expats. Seef, on the west side, is the mall district: City Centre Bahrain, Seef Mall and the Ritz-Carlton's beach. Bahrain Bay and The Avenues give you a seafront promenade to walk at sunset.

Food to try

Look for machboos, spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish; muhammar, sweet rice with dates served with fried fish; balaleet, sweet vermicelli topped with omelette, eaten at breakfast; and Bahraini halwa, a sticky saffron and rosewater sweet. Seafood is a highlight, especially safi (rabbitfish) and hamour (grouper). Manama also has excellent Indian, Persian, Lebanese and Filipino food thanks to its long trading links and large expatriate communities.

Where to stay

For walking access to the souq, choose a hotel in the old centre or near Bab Al Bahrain. Bahrain Bay and Seef suit travellers who want sea views, pools and malls. Adliya and Juffair are best if nightlife and restaurants matter most. Budget hotels cluster around the souq and Exhibition Avenue, while the big international brands line the waterfront. Compare stays through our travel page.

Getting around

Manama is spread out and hot for much of the year, so most visitors use taxis or ride hailing apps. Public buses run on main routes and are cheap, and the old souq itself is best on foot. Traffic builds at rush hour and on weekend evenings, which in Bahrain fall on Friday and Saturday. Muharraq and the airport are only a short drive across the causeway bridges.

Practical tips

Dress modestly in the souq and at mosques, covering shoulders and knees. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in daylight. Friday mornings are quiet, with many shops opening only after prayers. Use our places to visit list to pick cafés and sights, and the free trip planner to fit Manama into the rest of the island.