Bahrain

Like an oyster, Bahrain has a rough exterior that takes some prising open, but it's worth the effort. The storied location of the ancient Dilmun empire and home to the epicentre of the Gulf's pearling past, Bahrain has a history to reflect on with pride. Boasting its own Formula 1 Grand Prix, a growing art and foodie scene heavily cross-pollinated by Manama's huge expat population, and a wealth of activities enjoyed on the azure waters surrounding this collection of islands, Bahrain will appeal to travellers who seek an unpretentious, yet confident country bearing all the hallmarks of a modern, wealthy Gulf nation. This multilayered and multicultural destination is often overlooked by tourists, so you'll probably have the place all to yourself.

Explore Bahrain

Bahrain National Museum
Deservedly the country's most popular attraction, this is an outstanding introduction to Bahrain's history, with signage in English and Arabic. It's…
Manama Souq
Manama Souq is a warren of narrow streets and alleyways emanating south from Bab Al Bahrain. Here you can pick up everything from electronic goods and…
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Beit Al Quran
The finest collection of ancient Qurans in the region, this wonderful homage to Islam's holiest book displays Qurans from almost every century since the…
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Al Fatih Mosque
This is Bahrain's grand mosque, built as a grand statement in honour of the founder of modern Bahrain, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, who was…
B
Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa
Offering a fascinating look at pre-oil life in Bahrain, this building was constructed around 1800 and is one of the finest examples of a traditional house…
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Riffa Fort
The completely restored Riffa Fort was built in 1812 by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih, the 19th-century ruler of Bahrain. A classic piece of Bahraini…
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A'Ali Royal Burial Mounds
There are more than 100,000 Dilmun-era burial mounds scattered across Bahrain, but none come close to the magnificence of these. That A'Ali was an…
Bahrain Fort & Museum
A 10-minute drive west of Manama, on an ancient tell (mound created by centuries of urban rebuilding), the majestic Bahrain Fort stares out across the…
S
Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture & Research
Inspired by the early-20th-century intellectual of the same name, this elegant centre hosts recitals, lectures and exhibitions throughout the year. It…

Bahrain National Museum
Deservedly the country's most popular attraction, this is an outstanding introduction to Bahrain's history, with signage in English and Arabic. It's…
Manama Souq
Manama Souq is a warren of narrow streets and alleyways emanating south from Bab Al Bahrain. Here you can pick up everything from electronic goods and…
B
Beit Al Quran
The finest collection of ancient Qurans in the region, this wonderful homage to Islam's holiest book displays Qurans from almost every century since the…
A
Al Fatih Mosque
This is Bahrain's grand mosque, built as a grand statement in honour of the founder of modern Bahrain, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, who was…
B
Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa
Offering a fascinating look at pre-oil life in Bahrain, this building was constructed around 1800 and is one of the finest examples of a traditional house…
R
Riffa Fort
The completely restored Riffa Fort was built in 1812 by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih, the 19th-century ruler of Bahrain. A classic piece of Bahraini…
A
A'Ali Royal Burial Mounds
There are more than 100,000 Dilmun-era burial mounds scattered across Bahrain, but none come close to the magnificence of these. That A'Ali was an…
Bahrain Fort & Museum
A 10-minute drive west of Manama, on an ancient tell (mound created by centuries of urban rebuilding), the majestic Bahrain Fort stares out across the…
S
Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture & Research
Inspired by the early-20th-century intellectual of the same name, this elegant centre hosts recitals, lectures and exhibitions throughout the year. It…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Bahrain.

See
Bahrain National Museum
Deservedly the country's most popular attraction, this is an outstanding introduction to Bahrain's history, with signage in English and Arabic. It's…
See
Manama Souq
Manama Souq is a warren of narrow streets and alleyways emanating south from Bab Al Bahrain. Here you can pick up everything from electronic goods and…
See
Beit Al Quran
The finest collection of ancient Qurans in the region, this wonderful homage to Islam's holiest book displays Qurans from almost every century since the…
See
Al Fatih Mosque
This is Bahrain's grand mosque, built as a grand statement in honour of the founder of modern Bahrain, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, who was…
See
Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa
Offering a fascinating look at pre-oil life in Bahrain, this building was constructed around 1800 and is one of the finest examples of a traditional house…
See
Riffa Fort
The completely restored Riffa Fort was built in 1812 by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih, the 19th-century ruler of Bahrain. A classic piece of Bahraini…
See
A'Ali Royal Burial Mounds
There are more than 100,000 Dilmun-era burial mounds scattered across Bahrain, but none come close to the magnificence of these. That A'Ali was an…
See
Bahrain Fort & Museum
A 10-minute drive west of Manama, on an ancient tell (mound created by centuries of urban rebuilding), the majestic Bahrain Fort stares out across the…
See
Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture & Research
Inspired by the early-20th-century intellectual of the same name, this elegant centre hosts recitals, lectures and exhibitions throughout the year. It…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Bahrain

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Bahrain with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.