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.
Itineraries
The itineraries in Bahrain are in the works: the day-by-day program, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.
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Leaving before they come out? Request a custom day-by-day itinerary in Bahrain
Itineraries available in Asia
We don't sell an itinerary in Bahrain yet. Here are the ones already on sale, for other countries.
Classic
Four days in Tokyo, one night in Hakone, five in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, and a last one in Osaka, by train, subway and on foot.
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Classic
The northern island in two weeks: Sapporo, Otaru, the Furano hills, the Shiretoko Peninsula, the eastern lakes and Hakodate.
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Classic
Japan's hidden side in two weeks: Kinosaki Onsen, the Tottori dunes, Izumo, the Shimanami Kaido and the Iya valley.
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Module
Five days in Gyeonggi province: the cosmopolitan port of Incheon and the futuristic city of Songdo, the border island of Ganghwa and its dolmens, the UNESCO-listed fortresses of Namhansanseong and Hwaseong, the folk village and Everland.
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The right season
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.
Quick guide
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.
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.
Arabic is official, but English is omnipresent in this cosmopolitan kingdom where half the residents are expatriates. No difficulty for the traveller.
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.
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.
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.
Must-sees
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.
Manama
One of the largest mosques in the world, a fibreglass dome and Austrian chandeliers. Open, warm guided visits.
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.
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
The Middle East's first F1 circuit, its night-time Grand Prix and its driving experiences the rest of the year.
Pick a point on the map, or browse the list below.
Also on the map
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