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Manama

Manama might lack the polish and outlandish commercialism seen in some Gulf capitals, but therein lies its charm. Yes, you'll find all the hallmarks of modern Arab prosperity here – vast air-conditioned shopping malls and daringly designed skyscrapers – but confidently nestled beside all that glass and glamour are delightful relics and reminders of the city's proud heritage as a busy port town. Historic sites are given equal footing with the brash, modern ones. This is most apparent in Manama's Souq, where the hustle and bustle still evokes an ancient bazaar, and the globally diverse local cuisine is slowly elevating the city into a foodie destination.

Manama's world-class National Museum, Beit Al Quran and avant-garde National Theatre represent the commitment of the city to not just preserve the past but actively celebrate it, creating a balance between the old and new rarely witnessed in this region.

Top attractions

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

  • Museum

    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 housed in a postmodern building on the waterfront, and the lower floor displays the archaeological finds of ancient Dilmun, the Hall of Graves and Bahrain's customs and traditions, where the south Asian impact on clothing is remarkably apparent. Upstairs, there are exhibits on the Tylos and Islamic periods, historic manuscripts and a delightful reproduction of a traditional souq.

  • Market

    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 bargain t-shirts to spices and shisha pipes. But the real reason to visit is to wander through the bustling streets of a market that still evokes the atmosphere of an ancient souq.

  • Museum

    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 advent of Islam in 610, as well as some of the earliest translations into European languages. This includes the English translation by George Sale, published in London in the 18th century, a copy of which was bought by US founding father and president Thomas Jefferson.

  • Mosque

    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 known as 'Al Fatih' (the conqueror). The mosque's foundation stone was laid by his direct descendant, the late emir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa in 1983, exactly 200 years after Al Fatih liberated the nation from the Persians. Built at a cost of US$20 million, it is the most sumptuous mosque in the country.

  • Area

    Little India

    Close your eyes in this little corner of Manama's historic souq and you would be forgiven for thinking you were in downtown Delhi. The lingua franca is Hindi, and the shop owners trace their roots back to the subcontinent. Walking along these narrow alleyways, a cup of chai (tea) in hand, stopping off for a quick bite in Swagat and witnessing puja (worship) inside the 200-year-old Khrishna Temple really is a one-off experience in Bahrain.

  • Monument

    Bab Al Bahrain

    This handsome twin-arched gate is a fitting entrance to Manama Souq. Built by Sir Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, British adviser to the royals, in 1949, the 'Gateway to Bahrain' originally stood where huge dhows (traditional cargo boats) laden with goods came to dock, as this was Bahrain's original customs pier. The sea has since been pushed several kilometres north through land reclamation, and Bab Al Bahrain now houses an information centre.

  • Architecture

    World Trade Centre

    Built in 2008, these 240m-high, 50-floor office towers were inspired by the traditional badqeers (wind towers) seen in historic Bahraini homes. They are linked in the middle by three full-size wind turbines, which harness the onshore winds as they pass through the twin structures. This has helped the WTC win several awards for renewable energy, and has made it one of Manama's most photographed modern landmarks.

  • Hindu Temple

    Jai Shri Khrishna Temple

    This 200-year-old Hindu temple is the oldest in the Gulf and a testimony to Bahrain's ancient Indian community. Situated down a narrow alley in the heart of Little India, a red gate opens up to a courtyard overlooked by a painted two-storey building with decorated Indian elephants marching beside colourful red, yellow and pink floral patterns. In the courtyard, modest shrines with huge images of Hindu deities sit in the open as worshippers pay their respects.

  • Mosque

    Beit Al Quran Mosque

    This delightful little mosque is integrated within the Beit Al Quran complex and is open even when the museum isn't. Often overlooked, it has one of the most unusual features you are likely to see in a Bahraini mosque, a beautiful stained-glass dome. This sits above a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) decorated with blue tiles that evokes Muslim Persia. The tiles in the courtyard have a similar effect, only they take you to Muslim Spain.