Things to do in Bahrain: Top Eleven

The top things to do in Bahrain really depend on who you ask. I tried to keep it to a nice round amount of ten but I just couldn’t. So here they are, my top eleven things to do in Bahrain:

Bahrain’s National Museum

I’m a bit of a museum fan to be honest so believe me when I tell you this one is pretty cool. It covers 6,000 years of Bahrain’s fascinating history. Wander through a hall of archaeology in which there is an actual burial mound and on to an area which tells you all about the ancient civilisation on the Dilmun. Another hall depicts Bahrain’s recent pre-industrial past with models of traders, fishermen, craftsmen. Dotted throughout the museum are glass cases exhibiting old Quranic manuscripts, historical documents such as the Perpetual Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed by Bahrain and Britain.

You will also find a wonderful art gallery here where exhibitions of local and international artists are held periodically.

It is located by the sea and a walk around the building leaves you feeling very relaxed.

Photo by justDONQUE.images on Flickr

Manama Souq

The souq in Manama never gets old. If you want anything, guaranteed you’re going to find it here (unless it’s a genuine, well, anything). Get lost in the narrow labyrinthine alleyways, dodging salesmen who try to lure you into buying anything from wailing mosque alarm clocks to Saddam Hussein playing cards. Wander through the spice section where mounds of cumin, coriander, saffron, and chilli pepper – anything you want – emit pungent aromas and tempt you to buy much more than you need. Next up is the gold souq – every woman’s dream. Yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver and precious stones sparkle from hundreds of shop windows and the best bit? It’s affordable!

Seriously it’s one of my favourite things to do to get lost in the souq (I say get lost but you just keep walking and you’ll find a way out eventually). Anything from watches and creepy talking dolls to electronics and musical instruments, from Bahrain football kits to yards and yards of material.

Photo of the souq. Image is my own.

Art Gallery Hopping

Bahrain’s art scene is very up and coming. There are so many great artists - both local and expatriate - and it’s great when you’re out there to see it practically blossoming right before your eyes. Which art galleries to go to would be a whole new post entirely and I promise I’ll do it for you. For now I say check out Al Riwaq Art Space and Al Bareh Art Gallery.

 Bahrain International Circuit

The Bahrain Grand Prix made its debut in 2004 and has been pretty successful almost every year since (2011’s was cancelled). It’s worth taking a trip down to the circuit, where the great F1 drivers have sped around and where there are often other motoring events going on at any time. You also have the option of booking a Hummer of caterham ride and there is a great go-karting track in the shape of the actual F1 track to play around on.

Photo by Fred Hsu on Flickr

Al Dar Island

This is a great day out. For just BD10 you can hop on a little boat which will take you over to Al Dar Island where there is a small stretch of sandy white beach you can relax on all morning before getting a snack and a cocktail at the little beach hut café. There are water sports you can join in on such as jet skiing and banana boating and you can even book a pearl diving session. Recently too, the organisers have built a few chalets so you can spend the night on the island very comfortably.

Photo by justDONQUE.images on Flickr

Eating

Next to shopping, eating is literally the island’s favourite pastime. I debated whether to put eating as one or start naming separate places to eat but again that would be a whole new post which I’m also surely going to do for you. Basically, whatever may tickle your fancy you can get – from Bahraini to British, Lebanese to Filipino, Italian to Mediterranean. Because Bahrain’s population consists of so many different nationalities there is pretty much a restaurant for everyone and to suit a whole range of budgets.

The best areas to go? The local villages for some of the best tikka, shawarmas and juices or Adliya’s Block 338 where there are a whole host of restaurants and bars to choose from. Depends what you’re looking for! If you’re a junk food junkie you could always visit Juffair’s Little America or as I prefer to call it, Cholesterol Alley.

 Drinking

I’m not going to lie and say Bahrain’s pub and club scene is very good. It’s very much a matter of who you’re with. But then again there are some great themed nights every so often and JJ’s Irish Bar and Restaurant is pretty good at getting awesome tribute bands out which always makes for a fun night out. If you’ve been reading my blog much you’ll notice me mention Trader Vic’s which is a Polynesian themed restaurant and as you may be able to guess it is one of my favourite places in Bahrain. The tasty cocktails are reasonable and the tropical atmosphere is relaxing. You can sit inside and listen to the South American band that plays great Latin-style music which is sure to get you up dancing. Or you could head outside to Mai Tai and sit back on a very comfortable chair and look out at the ocean or manmade lake where flamingos frolic (oh yes I alliterated). What’s not to like!?

Management of Trader Vic’s if you’re reading this – I expect my commission in the post thanks!

A Trader Vic's cocktail. Image is my own.

Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park (LPOD)

It’s just one of those things you’ve got to do when you go to a country isn’t it? Go to a water park. To be honest I’m not a fan of the water parks but I know most people are so I popped this one on in the interest of my reader ;).

I’m not going to go into too much detail on this one... just provide you with a link and let you do your research.

Beit Al Quran

This is a fascinating place to visit. It is a complex that comprises of a museum consisting 10 exhibition halls, a mosque, a library, an auditorium and a school.

In particular you must visit the museum where ancient documents and Quranic manuscripts are housed and where calligraphic traditions are displayed. There also a range of Islamic artefacts, jewellery and ornaments as well as art pieces. If memory serves me correctly you will also find a whole verse of the Quran written on a single grain of rice.

Photo by Omar Chatriwala on Flickr

Tree of Life

At the risk of there being a number of you that get angry at me for suggesting this site, I had to put the Tree of Life here. You just can’t go to Bahrain without checking it out at least once… and never again.

I’m not sure if I’ve already told you but many scholars believe that Bahrain might be the original Garden of Eden. Well, some people believe that the Tree of Life actually marks the location of the Garden.

Basically it’s a giant, lonely tree which lies smack bang in the middle of a very arid desert. A bit of a miracle in other words. Unfortunately over the years some ignorants have spray painted graffiti over the tree’s branches. As I said, still worth a look though.

Photo by Rick’s Images on Flickr

Desert Camping

I have such great childhood memories of doing this and I think everyone should create some of their own. Go with someone who knows their way around and make sure you’re not stepping on to any forbidden territory but when you find the perfect spot of sand and set up camp and light your fire you’ll have such a magical night partying under the stars.

This post was written by Katy Gillett. You can contact her on kgillett@uclan.ac.uk