Manama Souq

It is one of the most traditional markets in Bahrain, with streets intertwined like an urban labyrinth. A maze of colorful gold, jewelry, lights, food, clothes, spices, carpets, toys and trinkets. A must for any visitor to Manama, haggling for a bargain is one of the top things to do in Bahrain. Pick up spices, souvenirs, and delicious sweets such as halwa, but don’t even think about paying the quoted price for things. Haggling is half the fun of any trip to this Bahrain institution. The souq is located at Bab al Bahrain.

Bahrain Fort

Learn about the oldest empires in the world, the Dilmun Empire. Explore this history of Bahrain from 3000BCE to the current day. “Qal’at al-Bahrain is a typical tell – an artificial mound created by many successive layers of human occupation. The strata of the 300 × 600 m will testify to continuous human presence from about 2300 BC to the 16th century AD. About 25% of the site has been excavated, revealing structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious, and military. They testify to the importance of the site, a trading port, over the centuries. On the top of the 12 m mound there is the impressive Portuguese fort, which gave the whole site its name, qal’a (fort). The site was the capital of the Dilmun, one of the most important ancient civilizations of the region. It contains the richest remains inventoried of this civilization, which was hitherto only known from written Sumerian references.”
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Bahrain’s National Museum

Another of the top things to do in Bahrain, you can find out all about the country’s rich and varied history at the Bahrain National Museum. This attraction has plenty of exhibitions to check out and is split into categories such as customs and traditions or trades and crafts.”
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Bu Maher Fort

From the Museum: Take a boat ride over to Bu Maher Fort

You can buy a boat ticket to Bu Maher Fort for just BHD1 from the Bahrain National Museum. The trip over the water gives great views of the Manama skyline and you can learn about the fort which dates back to 1840 too.

Bilaj Al-Jazayir

Bilaj Al Jazayer is a beautiful waterfront destination for Bahraini families and international visitors to enjoy. With beautiful white sand and the bluest of waters, Bahrain lives up to its namesake through its beaches. These are a must to visit.
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Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa

Muharraq Island is full of historic houses, including the spectacular Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa. Built around 1800, it is probably the oldest house in Bahrain and was once the ruler’s residence and the center of government. Now open to the public, the elegant two-story building is also home to the Ethnographic Museum which takes up a whole city block. Its thick mud walls, shaded courtyards and wind tower show how the residents of Bahrain adapted to the hot climate before air-conditioning.

Areen Wildlife Park

Al Areen Wildlife Park was established in 1976, covers a land area of 5.43 km2. It is the first project of its kind in the region and aims to preserve endangered rare Arabian animal species and plants. It is located in the west of the center of the island of Bahrain and consists of two parts. The first dedicated to preserving the wildlife of the desert environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Access to this nature reserve is restricted, except for specialists and researchers, veterinarians, and the animal keepers. The list of protected species features all types of animals and plants that distinguish Bahrain’s desert environment. They include the Arabian Oryx, the Bahraini Sand gazelle or Reem gazelle, and flora plants. As to the second section, which is the park, it is devoted to preserving and multiplying Arabian animals and birds in particular. Collective and individual visits to the park are allowed in the company of qualified guides.
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Al Jasra House

Located in the village of Al Jasra, Beit Al Jasra ‘Jasra House’ is a traditional style house built in 1907. It displays traditional architecture. The house itself was dilapidated and was restored in 1986. The house was built with coral stones and palm tree trunks.
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Aali Pottery Workshops and Burial Mounds

Amongst Bahrain’s mysterious ancient remains are the thousands of burial mounds that dominate the landscape north of the Island. Spanning the Dilmun era (3rd to 1st millennium BC) to the Tylos era (200 BC to 300 AD) the burial mounds are unique in terms of sheer number and concentration. The best preserved and most impressive mounds are the royal burial mounds in the village of A’ali.
Pottery workshops in the vicinity of the mounds have developed organically over the years allowing the artisans to incorporate their installations around the tombs and even using burial chambers as kilns
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