Manama
is a shopper's paradise
Welcome to Manama
Try as it might, Manama lacks the polish and in-your-face commercialism of Doha or Dubai, but therein lies its charm. Yes, you'll find here all the hallmarks of modern Gulf prosperity: vast air-conditioned shopping malls and daringly designed skyscrapers are present in abundance. But the juxtaposition of the city's pearling past and its oil-rich future is everywhere to be seen: in the National Museum set alongside... Read More
Top experiences in Manama
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Manama activities
Nature Flora and Fauna Trip from Manama
You will be met by your English speaking guide at the hotel lobby at 14.00. You will then proceed on your sightseeing tour. The first stop will be to Jabel Al Dukhan, the highest point of the country. It stands at 137 meters above sea level in the middle of Sakhir Desert in Bahrain.Next you will see the First Oil Well in the Middle East. Bahrain was the first country to discover oil in the Arabian Gulf in 1932 beneath Jabel Al Dukhan or Mountain of Smoke. You can see the Gulf's first oil well here. Next up you will see the Tree of Life. This well-matured tree has come to be known as the Tree Of Life because of the mystery surrounding its existence in the middle of the desert without any known water sources. The tree is believed to be from the Acacia family which is able to withstand harsh environments and can live for many years.The last stop will be to Al-Areen Wildlife Park (Sanctuary). Established in 1975, the park is perfect for families and animal lovers to explore at leisure and to enjoy the opportunity of seeing animals in the wild. On the way back to the hotel there will be brief photo stop at the Bahrain International Circuit 'The home of Motorsport in the Middle East'.
Private Half Day Bahrain Heritage Tour
The tour will start at 09:00 am and first visit of the day will be the Bahrain Fort. Thought to be once the centre of power for the ancient Dilmun civilisation, Qal'at Al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) has UNESCO World Heritage status. The Bahrain Fort occupies a strategic military position where the navigation movement could be watched. Excavations have revealed ancient soldier's barracks, horse stables, an ammunition depot, a secret passageway, ceramic utensils and Islamic and Chinese currency coins. You will then walk to the Bahrain Fort Museum. The museum is located on the northern coast of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is surrounded by a picturesque seascape and lush greenery that escaped urban encroachment. The museum’s collection showcases five different historical periods which are arranged chronologically, each within its own separate gallery. The tour will continue to the Royal Camel Farm. This farm was owned by His Highness Late Shaikh Mohamed Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the uncle of the King of Bahrain. There are more than 500 camels in this farm. Have your camera ready to pose with the camels, as they are very friendly. The next stop will be the Al Jasra Handicraft Center. It is located close to Al Jasra House and is worth visiting as it showcases varieties of homemade handicraft such as pottery making, cloth weaving, wood working, basket weaving, and sadow making that are created using the traditional methods. A short drive from here to visit the Al Jasra House. Al Jasra House was constructed by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in 1907. It was later used as a summer residence for Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, ruler of Bahrain from 1942 to 1961. The current ruler's father The Late Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa was born in this house in 1933. The house was designed according to the traditional Bahraini architecture to suit the local environment. Local materials such as coral, gypsum and palm-tree trunks were used for its construction and truly represent the traditional Bahraini house. The last stop of the day will be the Ancient Burial Mounds. These archaeological mounds are of great historical importance going back to the Dilmun civilization in the third millennium BC. Other archaeological mounds, which go back to the Hellenistic period of Alexander the Great (2500 BC) are also found in various areas in Bahrain. The most imposing mounds are those believed to be the Dilmunite Royal Tombs. These tombs are seen in A'ali close to modern dwellings. The tour will then head back to the hotel.
Archaeological Tour Bahrain
You will be met by your English speaking guide at your hotel lobby in Manama and proceed for your sightseeing tour. The first stop will be to Bahrain Fort. Thought to be once the centre of power for the ancient Dilmun civilization, Qal'at Al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) has UNESCO World Heritage status. Next up visit Barbar Temple. These temples are among the most remarkable architectural survivals of the ancient world. It is an archaeological site located in the North-western village of Barbar in Bahrain. Archaeologists found three temples built on top of each other belonging to different eras.You will then move onto Saar Ancient Settlement. Saar is a well laid out settlement with a main street running up from the southeastern outskirts. It has a temple in the centre at the crossroads of the settlement and two and three roomed buildings constructed in rows with standard room plans and suites of domestic installations. Over 80 buildings, mainly buildings have been discoeverd here. Saar Burial Complex is next up. There are large number of interconnecting graves in this ancient site. It is a type of burial unique to Bahrain.Finally you will see the Burial Mounds.: These archaeological mounds are of great historical importance going back to the Dilmun civilization in the third millennium BC. Other archaeological mounds, which go back to the Hellenistic period of Alexander the Great (2500 BC) are also found in various areas in Bahrain. The most imposing mounds are those believed to be the Dilmunite Royal Tombs. These tombs are seen in A'ali close to modern dwellings. You will then be returned to your hotel in Manama.
Half Day Private Tour: Desert Delights from Manama
You English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9am, and take you first to Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmed Al-Fatih Fort. Built in 1812, the spectacular fort sits at a high vantage point overlooking the surrounding desert.Next you'll visit the first oil well where Bahrain's oil industry began more than 70 years ago. People are often surprised to learn that Bahrain was pumping oil years before Saudi Arabia began its own search for black gold. In fact, Standard Oil, of California, formed the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) in 1929, and Bahrain's first well was studded in October 1931, with oil found the following year at Jebel Dukhan, or Smokey Mountain. "Well Number 1," now a landmark tourist site in Bahrain, once produced 9,600 barrels a day. Next proceed to the Oil Museum which is next to the First Oil Well. The Oil Museum was officially inaugurated in 1992. It houses old drilling equipment, samples of rocks found underground, topographical maps and some information about the companies that had participated in the exploration for oil (Oil Museum is open only on Friday) . The last attraction for the day will be the tree of Life. An Acacia tree which survives itself for more than 400 years in the middle of the Bahrain desert without any water supply. Some believe this tree belongs to the Garden of Eden.After the tour you'll be taken back to your hotel, at around 1pm.
Half Day Private Tour: Old Capital of Bahrain City Tour
Your first visit after your hotel pick-up will be to the historic Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House situated in Bahrain's second city, Muharraq. View the traditional Arab design style where each room directly overlooks an open courtyard and wind tower. The house represents the 19th century construction style using local materials like coral stone, mortar, and palm tree trunks. Look out the antique windows, decorated in ventilated gypsum geometrical designs for which Bahrain was well known. Then visit the Shaikh Ebrahim Center. Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, a well-known intellectual in the early part of the 20th century. The Center is home to research and today hosts a series of rotating lectures, exhibitions, and recitals by prominent writers, philosophers and artists from all over the world. Next you will proceed to the Kurar House. Tour the house and view the beautiful age-old craft of embroidering traditional throbs with gold thread. Downstairs, there’s a leafy courtyard surrounded by rooms displaying handmade garments, while upstairs you can watch women wielding the needle and thread. Your last stop will be Muharraq souq that is most well known for its halwa or sweet shops. Watch how the halwa, a sticky sweetmeat, is still made in the traditional way in enormous copper pots, by the halwachi. Visit famous sweetshop, Hussein Mohamed Showaiter Sweets and taste the warm halwa. Cut the sweetness of your treat with a strong cup of fresh, unsweetened qahwa. After you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth, you will be returned to your hotel.
Half Day Private Tour: Trail of Delmon Civilization from Manama
At 09.00 your English speaking guide will meet you at hotel lobby. First visit will be Bahrain Fort, a16th century fort built by the Portuguese. The area where it is located is known as Qalat Al Bahrain with lots of hidden history of Dilmon Civilization. Then Next will be Saar burial chambers. Saar is a single-period Early Dilmun settlement, located on the north-west part of the island of Bahrain, near the center of the Persian Gulf. Dilmun was a trade partner between the ancient states of Meluhha (the Indus Valley civilizations of Pakistan and India) and Mesopotamia (what is today Iraq). Saar covers an area of about 2.5 hectares (6 acres), and lies on the side of a north/south limestone ridge which once included an extensive cemetery.Next proceed to the Barbar Temple Barbar temples to the north of Saar that were discovered in 1954. Its' excavations were continued by a Danish expedition until 1962, by which time three superimposed temples had been investigated and dated around 2000 BC at climax of the Dilmun civilization. Temples 1 and 11 are built on two superposed platforms and are connected to a monumental well and its spring, which apparently played an important role in the local cult. Little remains of the third temple which includes a large square platform and was apparently larger than the two previous ones.The last visit of the day will be Burial Mounds. Notably scattered along large stretches of Shaikh Khalifa Highway, near the Hamad Town roundabout, these archaeological mounds are of great historical importance going back to the Dilmun civilization in the third millennium BC. Other archaeological mounds, which go back to the Hellenistic period of Alexander, the Great (2500 BC) are also found in various areas in Bahrain. You will then be returned to your hotel at 13.00.