Bahrain National Museum

Deserving its reputation as the most popular tourist attraction in Bahrain, the Bahrain National Museum is the best place to start for an intriguing, well-labelled introduction to the sights of the country. It's housed in a fine, post-modern building with landscaping that brings the waterfront location up to the windows.

The museum showcases archaeological finds from ancient Dilmun and includes beautiful agate and carnelian beads and earthenware burial jars - used for the body as well as its chattels. It also outlines the history of pearl fishing with a delightful diorama of a dhow, complete with divers and pullers, sharks and angel fish. There is also a section with wonderful narrative on contemporary Bahraini culture - the reproduction souq on the 1st floor is particularly worth the stairs, as the barber could double for Sweeney Todd. The museum also includes a wildlife hall, several gallery spaces used for contemporary exhibitions of art and sculpture, a shop selling Bahraini crafts, and a chic coffeehouse with armchairs. There's plenty to keep the family amused for several hours, but it will reward even a quick 10-minute visit.