Bahrain : ​11 Places to Look Out for in Bahrain

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Nestled within the Gulf of Persia, Bahrain is one of the top Middle Eastern places flocked by tourists from all over the world. It is also the third smallest nation in the Asian continent. The country is naturally wholesome and beautiful and is comprised of 51 different islands that give it its enticing charm. The nation has seen much growth in the present years and there have been as many as 33 artificially built islands for you to visit and explore. Along with the beautiful islands, Bahrain also has a plethora of terrific architectural features that include mesmerizing architectural features and bustling market places. Here are some of the most satisfying places that should be on your Bahrain itinerary if you are planning a trip into this wonderful place.

Manama City

If you are planning a trip to Bahrain, you'd have to come to Manama City, the capital of the nation at some point. It is one of the best places to visit in Bahrain as it features a strong mixture of the ancient with the modern. The beautiful skyline is crowded with many significant architectural features such as tall skyscrapers coupled with interesting buildings that reflect the style and beauty of the Bahraini people. Two of the most significant man-made architectural features of the nation are to be found in Manama City- the Twin Towers that go up to a height of 240 meters and the Bahrain World Trade Center. Since this is a bustling capital city, you would find everything that you could ask for here- great places to shop for souvenirs, delicious Middle Eastern meals served at excellent cafes and restaurants. And a touch of Islamic tradition amongst everything. Ideally, you should spend about 3 days in the capital to explore it fully. The best time to do so would be between December to March when the weather remains quite pleasant allowing you to enjoy the city life in all of its glory.

The Bahrain National Museum in the capital should be one of the top places to visit in Manama City. It is spread over an area of 27,800 m2 and has all kinds of artifacts that represent the history of this nation. The architecture of this museum itself is enchanting enough to draw you into it. There are 6 main sections to look for and there is an array of artifacts, some of them dating back to 4,000 years when a kingdom was first established in this region.

Manama Souq is another significant location within the capital that you just have to visit to get a taste of the traditional marketplaces. It is situated in the heart of the capital and gives you a really good insight into the culture and tradition of the Bahraini people. Spices and jewelry items are two of the major things that you will get in the marketplace. It is also a great place to look for souvenirs to take home with you. Just be sure to up your bargaining skills while you are buying from the vendors here.

Some other impressive places that you should visit while you are in Manama City are Bahrain National Theatre, Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House, Beit Al Quran, and Al Faith Mosque.

Beit Al Quran

Beit Al Quran demands a special mention among the places to visit in Manama City since it is one of the most important places in the island nation, speaking in terms of religion. The place gets its name from the huge collection of Qurans that you could find in this place. Over here, you could find a Quran belonging to every century since the Islamic religion was founded. You will even find the first translations of the Quran into a European language. Beit Al Quran also houses a library wherein you’d find other texts and renowned works from famous Islamic writers from all around the world. There is also a collection of miniaturized Qurans to be found in the Beit Al Quran, the smallest one of them measuring just 4.7 cm x 3.2 cm. other significant artifacts that you could find in Beit Al Quran included meticulous works in calligraphy, wood carvings, and manuscripts.

Riffa Fort

Bahrain is a great place for history buffs to visit since this peculiar nation is steeped in rich history, culture, and tradition. There are so many historical attractions and architectural features to look for as you are traveling through Bahrain- the Riffa Fort being one of the most significant ones among them. It is an example of marvelous Islamic architecture and is like a time machine that takes you back to the rule of the Al Khalifas. Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih had the fort constructed during his reign in 1812. There is a small museum within the fort that will provide visitors with enriching details and titbits. The mosque within the fort is open to visitors and tourists alike except when a prayer is going on. The entry to this stunning fort is free!

Hawari Island

If you want to take some time off from all the rich history that Bahrain has to offer, Hawar Island is one of your best bets! This is the ideal place to be, especially if you are a nature lover. Hawar Island offers much-needed peace and tranquillity away from life's everyday hustle and is quite an idyllic location to be in. it is situated along the Persian Gulf and opens up into the sea for your benefit. Thus, the island is also a great place to be in if you are looking forward t engaging in water sports activities. It is also a popular destination among travelers looking for a place where they can laze around in comfort in a resort or so. The ideal duration of stay in this peaceful; place would be about 2 days- there's not much to see here other than the picturesque landscape of land meeting sea. It is a great place for bird watchers since many exotic species flock to this region that including the sand gazelle and the Arabian onyx.

Amwaj Islands

The Amwaj Islands is a group of the many exotic islands that Bahrain has to offer to situate towards the north-eastern region of the island nation. It sets quite an example of being an artificial island! this is one of those places in the entire Middle East that offers some of the best beaches unlike the rest of the region which is generally barren and desolate. There are also many resorts allowing travelers to enjoy luxury stay options under the tropical sun in front of the pristine turquoise sea. You shouldn’t spend more than 2 days in the Amwaj Islands since that’ll be enough to get the best of this beach destination in the Middle East. There are also many fine-dine restaurant options coupled with numerous cafes to cater to all your savory needs. The Amwaj Islands also has many shopping complexes and malls allowing you to shop to your heart's content for all kinds of souvenirs and articles. You could be sure that the entertainment options available in the Amwaj Islands is sure to keep you busy for a long time and there is no way you could get bored here.

Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve

The Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve is a great place for nature enthusiasts within the island nation. It boasts of a huge collection of flora and fauna species- there are about 25 different species of flora in the region and t89 species of birds. You’d also find several mammalian species in this region. The park is situated in Zallaq and was constructed way back in 1976. The park is also a zoo and is divided into different sections for your convenience. There are separate water birds and wild birds parks within the reserve. There is a separate wild animals complex that houses all the mammalian species. The Dessert Flora Garden is also captivating having many different species of desert plants.

Juffair

Juffair is close to Manama City and another fine example of bustling city life in Bahrain. However, you get to see development literally reach the skies in this amazing place at a much faster pace than in Manama. New towers are popping up in this region every year and you can see that for yourself as you walk through the roads in Juffair. You should also understand that development is not the only bonus point that Juffair has to offer. For example, you will get some of the world's best-renowned delicacies in the best restaurants of Juffair. Juffair also has some of the best hotels and resorts for luxury stay options that Bahrain has to offer. Be sure to walk down the American Alley on Juffair which houses some of the best bars and pubs in the entire nation. While you are in Juffair, you should also make it a point to visit Juffair Park. Of the many other attractions that this place offers, you should also have Bahrain Fort on your Bahrain itinerary!

Isa Town

Towards the north-central part of the island nation, you will find a place that could be regarded as a shopper’s heaven- Isa Town. There is no point in staying in Isa Town for more than a day. The ultra-active marketplace of Isa Town beats some of the big malls that Bahrain has to offer. The bazaar stalls in the marketplace are shrouded in versatile shades and offer terrific fabrics up for sale. The handicraft items are also excellently crafted and you have to look out for them. The Bahrain National Stadium in Isa Town is also one of the top attractions to look forward to while you are visiting the town. The stadium is the largest one in the country and is completely packed with spectators on big match days!

Al Jasra

Al Jasra is a coastal town situated towards the Western coast of Bahrain and located exactly in the crossroads between the strait of the western coast and the King Fahd Causeway. The small village is regarded to be the heritage heartland of Bahrain and features skilled artisans who craft some of the most amazing handiworks. Weaving, pottery, jewelry, etc. are some of the handicraft items that you would find in this village thus giving you ample opportunities to collect souvenirs from your Bahrain trip. You have to visit the Al Jasra House in this village while you are exploring the place. It used to be the residence of Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and has an exquisite collection of coral stonework for visitors.

Saar

Saar is located towards the western side of the capital city Manama and is one of the finest places to go to in Bahrain. It is a peaceful place that offers much-needed tranquillity and April is the best month to visit the city in the world. The place features many urban summer houses where the rich and famous of Bahrain's population resides. it also features some of the most amazing cafes and coffee houses that you'd find in this country. There are several historical monuments that you have to look for while you are exploring Saar. The Dilmun Settlements originate in Saar and they are renowned for their skill in working with metals, particularly artwork crafted from copper and copper ore.

Muharraq

Muharraq, situated towards the eastern side of Manama is an island upon itself. The Muharraq Island has a rich history to offer dating back to the time when the Dilmun Civilization started settling in Bahrain. This is the od capita of the nation before it was changed to Manama City. The Bahrain International Airport is located in Muharraq making it the entry point into this exotic nation. You will much influence from the Greeks in Muharraq since is one of those places where the Greeks had brought prosperity. The cafes and restaurants in this city offer many delectable meals that you just have to try. You have to try the amazing mint tea that the cafes offer. You should also visit the Muharraq Souq lined with all kinds of vendors selling their wares.