In the small island kingdom of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf you can experience the real Arabic heritage and at the same time enjoy luxurious shopping and active social life in this wealthy, modern and liberal country. If you also want to enjoy wonderful beaches and water sports activities like snorkeling, diving, fishing and even pearl diving, Bahrain is a destination for you.
Manama is the capital of Bahrain where the ancient Arab traditions live side by side with modern skyscrapers and liberal and modern social life. The wonderful shopping mall Manama Souq offers excellent shopping opportunities at relatively low prices. The city has also a wide range of restaurants and hotels from traditional local places to luxurious world-class hotels and restaurants suitable for tourists and business visitors alike. Manama also offers good sightseeing possibilities and museums which present the history of this ancient Arab center of trade. While in Bahrain, visit also the ancient castle and World Heritage site of Qalat Al Bahrain.
How to get there. The best and the most inexpensive flights to Bahrain's international airport are available from European, Arab and Asian countries. Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by a long King Fahd Causeway, and buses to Bahrain are available there in Dammam and Khobar. Visas to Bahrain can be obtained on arrival by most nationalities. Bahrain has an efficient bus network between the major towns.
Bahrain, a fascinating blend of Arabic and modern culture
The liberalism of Bahrain compared to many of its neighbors and the hospitality of the Bahrainians attract many visitors to this small island state. Bahrain has become a popular tourism destination especially within the Arab world: the country attracts over eight million foreign visitors a year. Bahrain has a reputation as a Middle-Eastern shopping mecca that also hosts beautiful beaches. More and more international visitors come to Bahrain to follow the exciting annual Formula One Grand Prix Race, which took place in Bahrain first in 2004, for the first time in an Arab country.Manama is the capital of Bahrain where the ancient Arab traditions live side by side with modern skyscrapers and liberal and modern social life. The wonderful shopping mall Manama Souq offers excellent shopping opportunities at relatively low prices. The city has also a wide range of restaurants and hotels from traditional local places to luxurious world-class hotels and restaurants suitable for tourists and business visitors alike. Manama also offers good sightseeing possibilities and museums which present the history of this ancient Arab center of trade. While in Bahrain, visit also the ancient castle and World Heritage site of Qalat Al Bahrain.
Practical information for your trip to Bahrain
Bahrain consists of 35 small and low islands in the Persian Gulf, 28 kilometers west to the Peninsula of Qatar. The climate in Bahrain is very dry and warm. The best time to visit Bahrain is in winter from November to March. Summers from June to September are very hot and humid with regular dust storms in June and July. The cool wind from the north sometimes makes the weather in Bahrain more bearable. The landscape in Bahrain is arid desert and generally flat or gently rolling.How to get there. The best and the most inexpensive flights to Bahrain's international airport are available from European, Arab and Asian countries. Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by a long King Fahd Causeway, and buses to Bahrain are available there in Dammam and Khobar. Visas to Bahrain can be obtained on arrival by most nationalities. Bahrain has an efficient bus network between the major towns.
Photo: Haeroldus Laudeus, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
If you want to experience the rest of the small country by yourself, car rental in Bahrain is recommended.
Safety. Bahrain is a quite safe country, although persons planning a trip to the country should keep an eye on changes in the political situation in Bahrain and its neighboring countries. Violent demonstrations as well as terrorist attacks occur occasionally. Visitors are advised to keep low profile during demonstrations. Crime is rare in Bahrain, but be aware of pickpockets especially in crowded places.
History and culture of Bahrain
Located in a central place in the Persian Gulf region, Bahrain has been the center of business for more than 4,000 years. The islands were inhabited by the Arabs in the 600th century, later belonged to Portugal and Persia, and became protectorate of Great Britain in 1847. Bahrain was declared independent in 1971.Culture & society. Bahrain is considered more liberal than the neighboring Persian Gulf countries. While Islam is the main religion in Bahrain, also other religions are accepted in the wealthy and multicultural Bahrain. However, visitors in Bahrain should respect the Islamic rules by dressing conservatively. Since the decline in the oil production in the 1970s, tourism has become an important source of income for Bahrain. Nowadays Bahrain is also the banking center of the Arab world.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Manama, Doha
