Bahrain · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Bahrain
These are the places worth your time in Bahrain, from the souq and grand mosque of Manama and the pearling lanes of Muharraq to the forts of the north coast and the desert south. Classics sit beside quiet corners many visitors miss, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Manama
Arts and Culture
- Bab Al Bahrain (Manama Souq)
The old customs gateway that marks the entrance to the souq and the start of any walk through old Manama. - Bahrain National Museum (Al Fateh Highway)
The best introduction to Dilmun, Tylos and Islamic Bahrain, with a full hall of burial mound finds. - Al Fateh Grand Mosque (Juffair)
One of the largest mosques in the world, with free guided visits for non-Muslims outside prayer times. - Bait Al Quran (Hoora)
A museum of rare Qurans and Islamic calligraphy in a striking modern building. - Bahrain National Theatre (Al Fateh Highway)
A dramatic glass and timber theatre beside the National Museum, hosting concerts and festival shows. - Bahrain Financial Harbour and Bahrain World Trade Center skyline walk (Manama)
A self guided look at the modern skyline that defines the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Manama Souq (Old Manama)
Narrow lanes of spice, textile, perfume and gold shops that still feel like a working market. - Gold City (Manama Souq)
A covered arcade of jewellers where Bahrain's famous gold and pearl pieces are sold by weight. - The Avenues Bahrain (Bahrain Bay)
A long waterfront mall with a promenade, cafés and shops facing the sea. - City Centre Bahrain (Seef)
The island's biggest mall, with a cinema, Magic Planet and the Wahooo water park inside. - Moda Mall (Bahrain World Trade Center)
Luxury shopping beneath the twin sail towers with built in wind turbines. - Central Market (Manama)
The city's working fruit, vegetable, fish and meat market, busiest early in the morning.
Cafés
- Haji's Café (Manama Souq)
A decades old souq café serving Bahraini breakfasts, chai and balaleet at shared tables in the lane. - Lilou Artisan Patisserie (Adliya)
A pretty French style café for brunch, cakes and people watching on a busy Adliya corner.
Restaurants
- Saffron by Jena (Manama Souq)
Home style Bahraini cooking in an old souq house, from machboos to balaleet and karak. - CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Four Seasons Bahrain Bay)
A polished steakhouse with views over Bahrain Bay and the city lights. - Mirai (Adliya)
Long popular modern Japanese restaurant and lounge, a classic Adliya night out. - Block 338 restaurants (Adliya)
A walkable grid of cafés, galleries and restaurants with murals and outdoor seating in the cooler months. - Al Abraaj (Adliya)
A popular Bahraini chain for grilled fish, mixed grills and Arabic mezze at sensible prices. - Karak and samboosa at the souq stalls (Manama Souq)
Sweet spiced tea and crisp samboosa from tiny counters, the city's favourite snack.
Bars and Nightlife
- The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain lounges (Seef)
Beachside and lobby bars in one of the island's grand resort hotels. - Juffair nightlife strip (Juffair)
A dense cluster of hotel bars, pubs and late night spots popular with expats. - Bahrain Bay waterfront (Bahrain Bay)
An evening walk past fountains and towers with hotel terraces for a drink after.
Stays
- Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (Bahrain Bay)
A tall luxury hotel on its own island with private beach and skyline views. - The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain (Seef)
A classic beach resort with a private lagoon and island beach close to the malls. - The Merchant House (Manama Souq)
A boutique hotel on the edge of the old souq, stylish and walkable. - Gulf Hotel Bahrain (Adliya)
A long established hotel with many restaurants, close to Adliya's dining streets. - Downtown Rotana (Manama)
A good value business hotel near the souq and the diplomatic area. - Wyndham Grand Manama (Bahrain Bay)
A large waterfront hotel next to The Avenues mall.
Events
- Spring of Culture (Across Bahrain)
A season of concerts, theatre and art held across the country in late winter and spring. - Shop Bahrain (Across Bahrain)
A national shopping festival with promotions, raffles and family events in the malls. - Ashura processions (Old Manama)
A major religious commemoration in old Manama, best observed respectfully from the side. - Bahrain National Day (Across Bahrain)
Celebrations, lights and fireworks around mid December.
Places to Visit in Muharraq
Arts and Culture
- Pearling Path (Muharraq old town)
A UNESCO listed trail of pearl merchants' houses, shops and the seashore that tells the story of pearling. - Shaikh Isa bin Ali House (Muharraq old town)
A nineteenth century ruler's home with wind towers that cooled rooms long before air conditioning. - Siyadi House (Muharraq old town)
A pearl merchant's house with fine carved wood and stained glass beside its own mosque. - Bu Maher Fort (Muharraq seashore)
The small fort and visitor centre where the Pearling Path begins, reached by boat or road. - Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research (Muharraq old town)
A cultural centre that has restored a series of old houses as libraries, galleries and music rooms. - Bin Matar House (Muharraq old town)
A pearl merchant's house turned into an intimate gallery and memory museum.
Cafés
- Halwa Showaiter (Muharraq Souq)
The famous family halwa makers, where you watch the sweet being stirred and taste it warm.
Restaurants
- Emmawash (Muharraq)
A Bahraini breakfast institution for balaleet, eggs with tomato and fresh bread. - Muharraq bread bakeries (Muharraq old town)
Tiny bakeries slapping khubz onto clay ovens, eaten hot with cheese or date syrup.
Shopping and Markets
- Muharraq Souq (Muharraq old town)
A covered local market for sweets, spices, fabrics and household goods with little tourist polish. - Marassi Galleria (Diyar Al Muharraq)
A newer seafront mall with an aquarium and views over the beach.
Things to Do
- Arad Fort (Arad)
A fifteenth century fort by the sea, lit up at night and a short drive from the airport. - Arad Bay Park walk (Arad)
A promenade around Arad Bay for evening walks and views of the fort. - Old Muharraq walking lanes at dusk (Muharraq old town)
Quiet alleys, wind towers and murals that come alive as the heat fades.
Nature and Outdoors
- Marassi Beach (Diyar Al Muharraq)
A long, managed sandy beach with cafés and family areas beside Marassi Galleria.
Stays
- Vida Marassi Al Bahrain (Diyar Al Muharraq)
A modern resort hotel on Marassi Beach. - Address Beach Resort Bahrain (Diyar Al Muharraq)
A large beach resort with pools beside Marassi Galleria.
Places to Visit in Budaiya
Arts and Culture
- Qal'at al-Bahrain (Karbabad)
The UNESCO listed fort and tell where four thousand years of capitals were built on top of each other. - Qal'at al-Bahrain Site Museum (Karbabad)
A calm museum explaining the layers of the site, with a good café facing the fort. - Barbar Temple (Barbar)
The foundations of a series of Dilmun temples built around a sacred freshwater spring. - A'ali Burial Mounds (A'ali)
Giant royal burial mounds from the Dilmun era, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. - A'ali pottery workshops (A'ali)
Family kilns built into the old mounds where potters still throw jars by hand. - Saar Settlement and Temple (Saar)
The excavated streets of a Dilmun village, quiet and rarely crowded. - Al Jasra House (Jasra)
The restored birthplace of a former ruler, with a handicrafts centre nearby.
Shopping and Markets
- Budaiya Farmers Market (Budaiya Botanical Garden)
A winter weekend market of local produce, honey, plants and home cooking.
Nature and Outdoors
- Date farms along Budaiya Highway (Budaiya)
The green belt of date palms and old villages that shows rural Bahrain.
Restaurants
- Budaiya Highway cafés and restaurants (Budaiya)
A long road lined with relaxed cafés and family restaurants. - Machboos at a Budaiya family restaurant (Budaiya)
Spiced rice with chicken or fish, the national dish, in an unfussy local setting.
Things to Do
- Bahrain Fort sunset walk (Karbabad)
Walk the walls and shore path as the sun sets over the old capital.
Stays
- Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort (Sanabis)
A family resort hotel on the north coast near the Bahrain Fort road.
Places to Visit in Sakhir
Things to Do
- Bahrain International Circuit (Sakhir)
The Formula 1 track that hosts the Grand Prix, with track days and karting through the year. - Bahrain International Karting Circuit (Sakhir)
Race karts on a professional track, open to visitors most days. - Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park (Al Areen)
A large outdoor water park themed on the ancient Dilmun civilisation.
Events
- Bahrain Grand Prix (Bahrain International Circuit)
The island's biggest event, a night race with concerts and a buzz across the country. - Bahrain International Airshow (Sakhir Airbase)
A large biennial air show with public flying displays.
Nature and Outdoors
- Tree of Life (Southern desert)
A lone mesquite tree that has survived for centuries in the bare desert. - Al Areen Wildlife Park (Al Areen)
A desert reserve with Arabian oryx, gazelles and birds seen on a guided bus tour. - Jebel Dukhan (Southern desert)
The low highest point of Bahrain, with oil field views and desert drives. - Al Jazayer Beach (South west coast)
A public beach in the south with shallow water and weekend family picnics. - Winter desert camps (Sakhir)
Seasonal tented camps where Bahraini families gather on cool winter nights.
Arts and Culture
- Bahrain First Oil Well and Oil Museum (Awali)
The site of the first oil well in the Arab side of the Gulf, with a small museum. - Awali town (Awali)
The leafy old oil company town, a curious slice of mid century company life.
Stays
- Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa (Zallaq)
A beach resort with a big thalassotherapy spa on the quiet west coast.
Places to Visit in Amwaj Islands
Nature and Outdoors
- Amwaj Lagoon (Amwaj Islands)
A walkable waterfront of cafés and restaurants around a calm lagoon.
Restaurants
- Amwaj Lagoon restaurants (Amwaj Islands)
Waterside dinners with marina views on the island's main promenade.
Stays
- Art Rotana Amwaj Islands (Amwaj Islands)
A beach resort with a private beach and pools close to the airport. - Amwaj Islands beach apartments (Amwaj Islands)
Holiday apartments with beach access, good for families and longer stays.
Cafés
- Amwaj Lagoon cafés (Amwaj Islands)
Morning coffee by the water before the heat sets in.
Places to Visit in Riffa
Arts and Culture
- Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort (Riffa)
A hilltop fort with views over the Hunainiya valley and a small museum.
Things to Do
- Royal Golf Club (Riffa Views)
An eighteen hole desert course with a clubhouse terrace.
Shopping and Markets
- Isa Town Traditional Market (Isa Town)
A big, bustling local market for fabrics, household goods and bargains.
Restaurants
- Riffa machboos houses (Riffa)
Local restaurants serving fish and chicken machboos to families.
Cafés
- Karak stands in Riffa (Riffa)
Roadside karak and paratha stands that stay busy late into the night.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Al Riwaq Art Space (Adliya, Manama)
A contemporary art space showing Bahraini and regional artists in the heart of Adliya. - La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art (Hoora, Manama)
A restored traditional house with a courtyard fountain, used for exhibitions, events and dining. - Naseef Sweets (Manama Souq, Manama)
A long running souq shop for Bahraini halwa and sweets to take home. - Takht Jamsheed (Adliya, Manama)
Persian kebabs, rice and fresh bread in a long running family restaurant. - Wahooo Waterpark (City Centre Bahrain, Manama)
An indoor water park with slides and a wave pool, a cool escape in summer. - Dhow trip from the Marina (Manama Marina Corniche, Manama)
Short sunset cruises in a traditional dhow along the northern coast. - Prince Khalifa bin Salman Park (Hidd, Manama)
A seaside park with lawns, play areas and walking paths. - Water Garden City promenade (Manama Corniche, Manama)
A newer seafront walking area near the old town for evening strolls. - Kurar House (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
A small workshop keeping alive the gold thread embroidery of traditional Bahraini dress. - Abdullah Al Zayed House for Bahraini Press Heritage (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
A restored home of the founder of Bahrain's first newspaper. - Pearling Path cafés (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
Small cafés in restored houses along the trail, ideal for karak between museum stops. - Bahrain Pearling Path festivals (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
Cultural nights, markets and music held along the trail in the cooler months. - Bahrain Pearling Path visitor centre (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
A good first stop with maps and context before walking the trail. - Traditional dinner in a restored Muharraq house (Muharraq old town, Muharraq)
Several old homes now serve Bahraini dishes in their courtyards on cool evenings. - Bani Jamra weavers (Bani Jamra, Budaiya)
One of the last places where traditional loom weaving is still practised in Bahrain. - Budaiya Botanical Garden (Budaiya, Budaiya)
A green garden that hosts the farmers market and quiet walks. - Café at the Bahrain Fort Museum (Karbabad, Budaiya)
Sit with a drink facing the fort and sea as the light turns gold. - Karbabad fishing village seafood stalls (Karbabad, Budaiya)
Simple places near the fort where local fish is grilled the Bahraini way. - Bahrain Fort concerts and night events (Karbabad, Budaiya)
The fort is often lit and used as a stage during the Spring of Culture. - Barbar and Diraz temple ruins (Diraz, Budaiya)
A second, little visited temple site near the north west coast villages. - Jarada Island trip (Off the north coast, Budaiya)
A sandbar that appears at low tide, reached by boat for swimming and picnics. - Jasra Handicrafts Centre (Jasra, Budaiya)
Workshops for basket weaving, textiles and pottery made by local craftspeople. - Ain Adhari Park (Adhari, Budaiya)
A family park built around one of the island's old freshwater springs. - Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa (South west coast, Sakhir)
A newer luxury beach resort near Al Jazayer. - Hawar Islands (South east of the main island, Sakhir)
A protected group of islands with seabirds and empty beaches, reached by boat. - Dive Bahrain sunken aircraft site (Off the south east coast, Sakhir)
A large underwater park built around a sunken jumbo jet for divers. - Zallaq public beach (Zallaq, Sakhir)
A simple stretch of coast for a swim and a sunset picnic. - Watersports at Amwaj (Amwaj Islands, Amwaj Islands)
Paddleboarding, kayaking and jet skis from the island's beaches. - Art Rotana beach bar (Amwaj Islands, Amwaj Islands)
A relaxed hotel bar with sea views for sundowners. - Fishing trip from Amwaj marina (Amwaj Islands, Amwaj Islands)
Charter a local boat for a morning of Gulf fishing. - Amwaj public beach (Amwaj Islands, Amwaj Islands)
A small free beach on the island where locals swim in the evening. - Oasis Mall Riffa (Riffa, Riffa)
A local mall where Bahraini families shop and eat. - Hunainiya Valley viewpoint (Riffa, Riffa)
A quiet escarpment edge over the desert valley below the fort.