Bahrain, a small island nation located in the Persian Gulf, is a hidden gem of a travel destination. Despite its small size, it packs a punch with its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and beautiful natural scenery. From the modern skyline of Manama, the capital city, to the charming historical sites of Muharraq, Bahrain offers a diverse array of experiences for travelers. The history of Bahrain dates back thousands of years, and there is plenty to explore for history buffs. The ancient Dilmun civilization, one of the world's oldest, has left behind a number of significant archaeological sites, including the Bahrain Fort and the A'ali Burial Mounds. In addition to its ancient history, Bahrain is also home to a number of historic mosques, including the Al-Fateh Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and the Al-Khamis Mosque, one of the oldest in the country. Aside from its rich history, Bahrain is also known for its modern architecture and stunning skyline. The towering skyscrapers of Manama, the capital city, are a sight to behold, and the iconic Bahrain World Trade Center, which features two wind turbines on its roof, is a must-visit. Additionally, visitors can enjoy shopping at the sprawling Bahrain City Centre Mall or exploring the modern art exhibitions at the Bahrain National Museum. Culture is an integral part of Bahraini life, and visitors can experience this first-hand through the country's many festivals and events. The annual Bahrain International Airshow is a highlight, featuring aerial displays from some of the world's top pilots. The Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place every spring, is another popular event, drawing crowds from around the world to witness the high-speed excitement of Formula One racing. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Bahrain offers plenty of opportunities to get back to nature. The stunning beaches, including Al Dar Island and Jazirat Al Bahrain, provide a tranquil escape and are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Inland, visitors can explore the lush greenery of the Bahrain National Park or take a scenic drive through the desert landscape of the Sakhir region. In conclusion, Bahrain is a travel destination that offers a unique blend of history, culture, modernity, and natural beauty. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, Bahrain has something for everyone. So why not book your trip today and discover the hidden gem of the Persian Gulf for yourself?
A longtime escape for weekenders from neighboring Saudi Arabia, the tiny island nation of Bahrain is a hub of cultural curiosities. Ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites rub up against still-bustling bazaars and carpet shops while skyscrapers housing high-end hotels dot the mosque-studded skyline.With a recent push to vie for a place on the world’s luxury travel stage, this ancient port city in the Arabian Gulf now plays host to international events — such as Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix — unique experiences and modern museums that make it worth putting atop your travel itinerary. Well known for being the only Gulf state where you can legally buy alcohol, Bahrain is more liberal than most of its neighbours. Manama, which ironically means 'sleeping place', gets going after dark, with late night shopping, lively bars and nightclubs, as well as countless restaurants offering fine dining and the chance for a local tipple. Modern cafes can be found throughout the city, but be warned most 'coffee shops' are bars, and intended for men only.As you'd expect from such a strategically placed island, Bahrain is peppered with relics from its past. For an overview, visit the excellent Bahrain National Museum before heading out to see the real thing. There are the Barbar Temples from the 2nd and 3rd millennia BC; the honeycomb of burial chambers at Saar; the 8th century mosque of Souq al-Khamis; and the Bahrain Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Or for a modern attraction, check out the Oil Museum south of Awali, where you'll find the country's first oil well, constructed in 1932.If the relentless heat doesn't sap your energy, there are a plethora of other activities to keep you busy. You can play golf on lozenges of green grass in the desert. Local dive companies operate dive trips to the abandoned pearl beds just off-shore. For a totally surreal experience, try the ice disco in the rink at the Funland Centre, where you can bust your coolest moves inside, while outside it's pushing 50 degrees.
Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Bahraini population, many people speak Farsi, the official language of Iran, or Urdu, the official language of Pakistan.
The culture of Bahrain is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia. Thus, Bahrain's culture is similar to that of its Arab neighbours in the Arabian Gulf region. Bahrain is known for its cosmopolitanism, Bahraini citizens are very ethnically diverse. Though the state religion is Islam, the country is tolerant towards other religions: Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples as well as a (now-defunct) Jewish synagogue are present on the island.Bahraini people are ethnically diverse. There are at least 8–9 different ethnic groups of Bahraini citizens. Shia Bahraini citizens are divided into two main ethnic groups: Bahrani and Ajam. Most Shia Bahrainis are ethnic Baharna, the Baharna being descendants of the original pre-Islamic inhabitants of Bahrain. The Baharna speak a variety of Arabic known as Bahrani Arabic. The Ajam are ethnic Persian Shias. Bahraini Persians maintain a distinct culture and language, but have long since assimilated into Bahraini culture; they tend to identify themselves as Persian Bahrainis rather than Iranians.Among Sunni Bahraini citizens, there are also many different ethnic groups. Sunni Bahrainis are mainly divided into two main ethnic groups: urban Arabs (al Arab) and Huwala. The urban Arabs are mostly descendants of Sunni Arabs from central Arabia who were (alongside the baharna) traditionally pearl-divers, merchants, sailors, traders and fishermen in the pre-oil era. The Huwala are descendants of Sunni Iranians; some of them are ethnic Persians, and others are ethnic Sunni Arabs.In addition to these native Bahraini ethnic groups, there are also ethnic Afro-Arabs, and Balochis. Bahraini Balochis are descendants of ethnic Baloch from Baluchistan. Most Bahrainis of African origin come from east Africa and have traditionally lived in Muharraq island and Riffa. Indian Bahrainis are mostly descendants of wealthy Indian merchants from the pre-oil era, known as the Bania. A smaller group of Sunni Bahraini citizens are descendants of naturalized Palestinian refugees and other Levant Arab immigrants.Just around half of the population are Arabs. Foreign-born inhabitants, comprising more than half of the population, are mostly from Iran, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Britain, and the United States. About three-fifths of the largely Asian labor force is foreign.The population is mostly Muslim and includes both the Sunni and Shia sects. Bahrain also has the largest Christian minority within the Arab states of the Arabian Gulf. Thousand Christians hold Bahraini citizenship, with the next closest GCC country, Kuwait, only having approximately 400 Christian citizens. Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, however, English is widely used as a lingua franca. The Ajami dialect of Persian is widely spoken by Persian Bahraini citizens Ajam. Many Bahrainis have a working knowledge not only of English but Hindi and Urdu as well.Football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport, while traditional pastimes such as horse riding, and gazelle and hare hunting are still practiced by wealthier Bahrainis.Traditional handicraft industries enjoy state and popular support. The Bahrain National Museum in Manama contains local artifacts dating from antiquity, such as ivory figurines, pottery, copper articles, and gold rings, many of which reflect various cultural influences from outside Bahrain. There is also a small but flourishing avant-garde art community.
The Bahraini dinar was introduced in 1965, replacing the Gulf rupee at a rate of 10 rupees = 1 dinar. The dinar was worth 15 shillings sterling upon introduction. Bahraini coins and notes were introduced at that time. Initially, Abu Dhabi adopted the Bahraini dinar but changed to the dirham in 1973, with 1 dirham = 100 fils = 0.1 dinar. In December 1980, the dinar was officially pegged to the IMF's special drawing rights (SDRs). In practice, it is fixed at $1 USD = 0.376 BHD, which translates to approximately 1 BHD = $2.65957 USD[1] and, consequently, almost 10 Saudi Arabian riyals. This rate was made official in 2001 and Saudi riyals are accepted in Bahrain at any point of sale, with the exception of the Saudi 500 riyal note which is only accepted in major supermarkets, airports and electronic shops.
UK nationals: British citizens require a valid passport and an eVisa, obtainable online prior to their visit, or a three-month visa obtainable on arrival. British passport holders with endorsements other than 'British Citizen' should confirm official requirements before travel.
Bahrain is a country in the Persian Gulf. The island nation comprises a small archipelago made up of 70 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centred around Bahrain Island which makes up around 83 percent of the country's landmass. The country is situated between the Qatari peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia to which it is connected by the 25-kilometre (16 mi) King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain is a generally flat and arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf. It consists of a low desert plain rising gently to a low central escarpment with the highest point the 134 m (440 ft) Mountain of Smoke (Jabal ad Dukhan). Bahrain had a total area of 665 km2 (257 sq mi) but due to land reclamation, the area increased to 780 km2 (300 sq mi), which is slightly larger than Anglesey.Often described as an archipelago of 33 islands, extensive land reclamation projects have changed this; by August 2008 the number of islands and island groups had increased to 84. Bahrain does not share a land boundary with another country but does have a 161 km (100 mi) coastline. The country also claims a further 22 km (12 nmi) of territorial sea and a 44 km (24 nmi) contiguous zone. Bahrain's largest islands are Bahrain Island, the Hawar Islands, Muharraq Island, Umm an Nasan, and Sitra. Bahrain has mild winters and very hot, humid summers. The country's natural resources include large quantities of oil and natural gas as well as fish in the offshore waters. Arable land constitutes only 2.82% of the total area.
