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Bahrain Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Bahrain, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Bahrain Information

Overview

Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands. The country was once named Dilmun by ancient Sumerians, considered an island paradise in which there was no disease, death or suffering, and where gods resided. Although modern Bahrain has not retained such mythical status, many still flock to frolic in its heavenly shoreline, and many still perceive the country as blissful respite from less lenient Islamic countries.

However, Bahrain is still imbued with Islamic tradition. Manama, the capital, is jam-packed with majestic mosques and minarets. Some females dress in western-style clothing but immodesty is still frowned upon. It is a symbolic bridge that connects the archipelago to Saudi Arabia’s mainland.

Nevertheless, Bahrain is a wealthy country that has been unafraid to distinguish itself from other Islamic Gulf countries. Under Portuguese rule between 1521 and 1622, attacked by various tribes and groups for more than 100 years, and willingly becoming a British Protectorate between 1861 and 1971, Bahrain was ecstatic when it discovered oil in 1931. In just four decades, Bahrain’s protectorate status was relinquished and Bahrain became one of the world’s most affluent countries. Bahrain’s first independent ruler, Sheikh Isa al-Khalifa, caused controversy by bolstering Bahrain’s relationship with western countries: both British and US military forces were granted use of Bahraini ports and airfields, vital to the prosecution of the two Iraq wars and the 2002 Afghan war.

Despite the Islamic presence, about one-third of Bahrain’s population are foreign expatriates who seek that ideal blend of stability and prosperity. Perhaps this influence has shaped modern Bahrain, now rapidly modernising, full of shopping malls and restaurants. Many argue, however, that the supposed liberal outlook of the country is a sham: alcohol and casinos cannot disguise that the country is an absolute monarchy in which dissent is barely tolerated.

Regardless, visitors to Bahrain are more likely to want to revel in its antiquity, anyway. During construction of Bahrain’s causeway, thousands of burial mounds were disinterred, dating back to the third millennium BC. Bahrain is now the proud owner of the largest ancient necropolis in the world, and its foundations still rest upon the ancient city of Dilmun and the ancient civilisation that resided there.

It is exactly this blend of eastern and western cultures, this commingling of mosque and skyscraper, which draws so many to Bahrain. Perhaps its famous Tree of Life (a verdant tree blooming out of arid desert) says it all: Bahrain is full of surprises and contradictions.

Top Things To See

Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. Much land, including the diplomatic area, has been reclaimed from the sea. The ancient city capital of Bilad al-Qadim, which dates from AD 900, is just outside the new city. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the southeast of the market area and is particularly impressive during the hours of darkness.

To sample some of Bahrain’s past, you must see the A’ali Burial Mounds. This is the site for probably the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000BC and AD600.

Look inside The House of Beit al-Jasra, which is the birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain, and is a wonderful example of traditional Bahraini architecture (built in 1907), with exquisite external simplicity, constructed from local building materials such as coral stone.

Stare at ancient forts such as those of Arad, Bahrain and Riffa.

Go to the National Museum, which traces the archaeological development of Bahrain and see an ancient burial mound dating from 2800BC.

Look up at Bahrain’s largest mosque, the al-Fateh Grand Mosque. In addition, the Grand Masjid is constructed of masses of fibreglass and is particularly awe-inspiring under floodlights at night.

Examine the ’wind towers’ of ancient houses in the old town of Manama: constructed 5-6m (16-20ft) above the houses and open on all sides, they served as primitive air-conditioning units.

Absorb the sight of long stretches of sandy beach and coral reefs in places such as Al Jazair, complete with beach huts, pavilions, and picnic areas.

See endangered species such as Arabian Onyx at al-Areen Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sit under the Tree of Life, which is a large green mesquite tree, astonishingly spouting from sterile desert ground. Hundreds of years old and the only tree for miles, it offers a welcome respite from the glaring heat.

Look around the Barbar Temples, thought to have been built in worship of the God Enki and his wife. One temple is built on a spring of water on which there is a basin of the sacred well, and the water was almost certainly considered holy. In their entirety, three Barbar temples are built on top of one another, in degrees of antiquity, a general feature of Sumerian temples.

Bait al Quran (The House of the Qur’an) is something resembling a museum of Holy Qur’ans and is definitely worth seeing for its rare collection of manuscripts revealing beautiful Islamic art and calligraphy, and for the architectural setting, which is serenely lovely.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Go swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, waterskiing, windsurfing, parasailing or yachting around Bahrain’s sprinkling of islands.

Game fish for grouper and barracuda.

Ride a camel along a highway.

Purchase an irreplaceable Bahraini souvenir and buy some authentic pottery by potters whose trade dates back hundreds of years at A’ali Village Pottery.

Haggle for goods at local souks.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

There is a good selection of restaurants serving all kinds of food, including American, Arabic, Chinese, European, Indian, Japanese, Lebanese and Mexican. Arabic food is mainly spicy and strongly flavoured. Lamb is the principal meat with chicken, turkey and duck. Salad and dips are common. Strong Arabic coffee and tea is also widely available.

Things to know: The sale of alcohol is not encouraged, although it is available to non-Muslims in nightclubs, good restaurants and luxury hotels, except during Ramadan. Muslims in Bahrain are not allowed to drink alcohol at any age. Non-Muslims over the age of 18 are allowed to drink, but are not allowed to transport any alcohol and must drink their alcohol where they buy it. Even non-Muslim adults are forbidden to drink during Ramadan.

National specialities:
• Machbous is fish or meat served with rice.
• Muchammar is brown, sweet rice served with sugar or dates.
• Baba ghanoush is a delicious dinner of pureed garlic, aubergine, yoghurt and sesame paste, usually served with vegetables or pita bread.
• Shawarma is lamb or chicken carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in flat bread.
• Sambousan are crisp pastry cases filled with meat, cheese, sugar or nuts.

National drinks:
• Arak (grape spirit flavoured with aniseed).
• Gahwa (coffee) often has cardamom and saffron added to it.

Tipping: 10% is expected by waiters, particularly when service is not included, and is normal practice.

Nightlife

Restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas showing English and Arabic films can be found in the main towns.

Shopping

There is a wide range of modern shopping complexes with imported luxury goods. Pearls are the main local product. Famous red clay pottery is available from the village of A’ali. There are weavers at Bani Jamra village and basket-makers at Jasra village.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1530-1930. Some shops are open for a few hours on Friday mornings in souks.

Climate

June to October, hot and humid (42°C/108°F), December to April, mild (10-20°C/50-68°F). December through to March can be quite cool. Rainfall is slight and occurs mainly in winter. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant months.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens from spring to autumn, mediumweight clothes from November to March. Warmer clothes are necessary in winter and on cool evenings.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year).
19 Jan Ashura.
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
16 Dec National Day (two days).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year).

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7 Jan Ashura.
20 Jan Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year).
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
16 Dec National Day (two days).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

There is a comprehensive medical service, with general and specialised hospitals in the main towns. An emergency health service is provided free of charge or at a nominal fee. Pharmacies are well-equipped with supplies.

Note

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Dinar (BHD) = 1,000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BHD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureaux de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureaux de change than at the airport or at hotels.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. ATMs are available in major cities.

Traveller's Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours

Sat-Wed 0730-1200 and 1530-1730; Thurs 0730-1100. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday.

Passport/Visa

British