Top Activities in Manama, Bahrain

Check before you travel, October 2026. Iranian missiles and drones hit Bahrain from 28 February 2026. A ceasefire began on 8 April 2026 and has mostly held, though violations have been reported and there have been later drone and cyber incidents. Flights and the King Fahd Causeway have been shut with little warning. Read the FCDO page for Bahrain and the US travel advisory , confirm cover with your insurer, and confirm your flights with the airline before you pay for anything.

Planning your days

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, and Manama sits on the main island’s north-east coast. Nearly everything worth seeing is within an hour’s drive, which makes the city a good base for short stays. Plan outdoor time for November to March, when it is about 20 to 28C. In the summer months heat can pass 40C with humidity above 80 percent, and heatstroke is a genuine risk for anyone walking at midday.

Old Manama

Enter the souq through Bab Al Bahrain, the gateway designed by Sir Charles Belgrave, which the government dates to 1945. Inside, the Gold Souq sells 21 and 22 carat pieces, and the spice lanes pile up saffron and sumac. Haji’s Traditional Cafe is a long-running breakfast stop, and Cafe Naseef is remembered as the country’s first ice cream shop, from 1920. Typical breakfasts of machboos, balaleet and tea cost about BD 3 to 6 a head.

Heritage you can visit

  • Qal’at al-Bahrain, a UNESCO fort on the north coast, is closed on Mondays and open 08:00 to 20:00 on other days. The fort museum charges about BD 2.
  • Bahrain National Museum opens 09:00 to 20:00, closed on Tuesdays, with entry about BD 2 to 2.2.
  • The Pearling Path in Muharraq links 17 buildings on a free 3.5 km trail.
  • Al Fateh Grand Mosque takes non-Muslim visitors on a free guided visit during reported hours of 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday to Thursday.

On and under the water

Traditional dhow cruises leave the Bahrain Bay waterfront for harbour views of the Financial Harbour and the Four Seasons. Fares differ by operator, so ask first.

Bahrain’s official pearl diving programme operates from Sa’ada and Bu Maher ports. The full dive is for licensed divers aged 18 or over, and a shallow 2 to 4 m option is open to swimmers from 16. One private Bu Maher trip was listed from BD 80.5. Treat every price as a starting point and confirm it with the operator.

Evenings

Adliya’s Block 338 is the place for dining, with art galleries, a mix of international restaurants and licensed bars. A main course and a drink typically cost BD 8 to 18 per person. Remember that Bahrain applies a zero limit for drivers, so use Uber, Careem or a metered taxi (a typical central ride is BD 2 to 5).

Good to know

  • The dinar is pegged at about BD 0.376 per US dollar, so BD 5 is roughly US$13.
  • Eating, drinking and smoking in public in daylight hours should be avoided during Ramadan.
  • The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place in Sepang, Malaysia. The 2027 race at Sakhir is scheduled for 12 to 14 March 2027, so check the official calendar.
  • Check evisa.gov.bh for visa fees.

Read more: Manama sightseeing and the 3-day plan for Manama .

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