Travel in Bahrain: when to go, places and advice

The smallest country in the Gulf is also its oldest crossroads: the island was Dilmun, the mythical staging post between Mesopotamia and the Indus valley, before becoming the world capital of the pearl. Today, Bahrain layers a Portuguese fort and futuristic towers, a spice souk and a Formula 1 circuit, a monumental mosque and a lone tree planted in the middle of the desert. A surprisingly rich two- or three-day stopover, gentler and more open than its neighbours.

Capital: Manama
Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Language: Arabic, English widely spoken
Direct flight: ≈ 6 hr 30 from Paris
Time difference: +2 hr in winter, +1 hr in summer

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Bahrain

The itineraries in Bahrain are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Bahrain?

From November to March, the island lives outdoors: 22 to 27 °C, mild evenings on the corniches, the F1 Grand Prix in spring. From May, heat and humidity climb together to felt temperatures of 50 °C at the height of summer, when everything happens indoors. April and October stay hot but very liveable.

January : Ideal
February : Ideal
March : Ideal
April : Pleasant
May : In-between
June : Avoid
July : Avoid
August : Avoid
September : Avoid
October : Pleasant
November : Ideal
December : Ideal

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Bahrain

Getting around

No metro and limited buses: a rental car or ride-hailing does everything, on an island crossed in forty minutes. The King Fahd causeway even links neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Money

The Bahraini dinar (BHD), a strong currency divided into 1,000 fils: watch the decimals. Cards work everywhere, the souk prefers cash and courteous bargaining.

Language

Arabic is official, but English is omnipresent in this cosmopolitan kingdom where half the residents are expatriates. No difficulty for the traveller.

Useful apps

Careem or Uber for all rides, Talabat to get deliveries like the locals, and the Grand Prix app if you are aiming for the Formula 1 weekend.

Accommodation

Manama's international hotels slash their prices outside the Grand Prix. For atmosphere, the boutique hotels of the Adliya district, the corner of galleries and restaurants.

Etiquette

Bahrain is the most relaxed of the Gulf countries, but sober dress remains the rule outside the hotels. Accept the cardamom coffee, and do not photograph official installations.

The iconic places

Bahrain Fort

Karbabad

Qal'at al-Bahrain, 4,500 years of strata from Dilmun beneath a Portuguese fort facing the sea, UNESCO-listed. At sundown, the light is perfect.

Al-Fateh Mosque

Manama

One of the largest mosques in the world, a fibreglass dome and Austrian chandeliers. Open, warm guided visits.

Manama Souk

Manama

Behind the Bab el-Bahrain gate, spices, gold and fabrics in a maze that has stayed authentic. The goldsmiths' quarter keeps the pearling heritage alive.

Tree of Life

Southern desert

A 400-year-old prosopis, the only tree for kilometres, surviving with no known water source in the middle of the desert. Mystery and an iconic photo.

Muharraq

The former capital and its UNESCO-listed pearling path: restored merchants' houses, mashrabiyas and artisans' cafés.

Sakhir Circuit

Sakhir

The Middle East's first F1 circuit, its night-time Grand Prix and its driving experiences the rest of the year.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Bahrain Fort : 4,500 years of history, UNESCO
Bab el-Bahrain : The gate of the Manama souk
Bahrain World Trade Center : The towers with wind turbines
Al-Fateh Mosque : The kingdom's great mosque
Muharraq : The pearling path, UNESCO
Tree of Life : The lone prosopis of the desert
Sakhir Circuit : The night-time F1 Grand Prix