• Admin
• Jul 17, 2024
• Crusing

The Kingdom of Bahrain offers many attractions to cater to a myriad of interests.

Fast becoming one of Bahrain's primary leisure attractions, Bahrain Tours departs from Marina Club and has become a firm favorite with visitors and locals alike. Enjoy an exciting, fun-filled sea tour of the great Bahrain sea while also seeing spectacular sights and attractions, and the chance to practice your sea sports.

For history lovers, there is the rich heritage of ancient civilizations dating back over 5,000 years, with many temples and burial mounds to explore. A good starting point is the Bahrain National Museum, where you can learn about Bahrain’s history throughout the millennia. Forts at Riffa, Arad, and Bahrain Fort itself are remarkable examples of ancient architecture.

Closer to the present, you can visit the restored houses of Muharraq which depict Bahraini homes as they were during the last century. Alternatively, learn about the history of pearl diving at the Pearl Museum. Recent landmarks worth visiting include Oil Well No. 1 and the 25 km King Fahd Causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Nature lovers may visit the Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary to see flamingos, ostriches, camels, and the renowned Oryx. Alternatively, take a trip to the center of the island and marvel at the Tree of Life, which has survived for hundreds of years in the desert. For sports enthusiasts, a trip to the Sakhir racecourse on Fridays is recommended, with nearby attractions such as the Bahrain International Circuit for motorsports, or the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park, the largest and most advanced water park in the Middle East.

Stamps and currency collectors will find delight in the stamps and currency museums. Those interested in Islam can visit the Al Fateh Mosque in the new Juffair area, where friendly guides are available to enlighten visitors.

Museums:

Bahrain National Museum: A rich collection of Bahrain's ancient archaeological artifacts is on display, covering 6,000 years of history. The complex includes halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilization of Dilmun, as well as Bahrain's recent pre-industrial past. The museum also features natural history exhibits showcasing Bahrain's flora and fauna.

Oil Museum and First Oil Well: Located in Bahrain, this museum is dedicated to the history of the oil industry in the Arabian Gulf, featuring drilling equipment, documents, old photographs, and a working model of an oil rig.

Museum of Pearl Diving: Housed in one of Bahrain's most historic buildings, this museum was the first official location of the Bahrain Courts. It now showcases the history of pearl diving.

Bait Al Qur'an: Meaning House of the Qur'an, this landmark building houses a valuable collection of the Holy Qur'an and related manuscripts, unique in the Arabian Gulf. The complex includes a mosque, library, auditorium, school, and museum with five exhibition halls.

Currency Museum: Displays a comprehensive collection of currency used in Bahrain from the beginning of Islam to modern times, including rare coins.

Stamps Museum: Features a remarkable collection of stamps issued and used in Bahrain, located in the Ministry of Transportation building.

Rashid Al Oraifi Museum: An adaptive re-use of the Al Oraifi family's private residence, displaying artwork inspired by Dilmun culture and history by Bahrain’s talented artist, Rashid Al Oraifi.

Tourist Attractions:

Al-Fatih Mosque (also known as Al-Fatih Islamic Centre/Grand Mosque): Bahrain's largest mosque, welcoming visitors of all faiths.

Khamis Mosque: Believed to be Bahrain's first mosque, dating back to the Umayyad caliphate. It is one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region, with its foundation laid as early as 692 AD.

Arad Fort: A 15th-century fort in Arad, built in typical Arab style and extensively renovated. It presents a magnificent sight when illuminated at night.

Bab Al Bahrain: Means 'Gate of Bahrain' and is located in Manama's central business district, built by the British in the 1940s to house government offices.

Manama Souq: A bustling market near Bab Al Bahrain, offering traditional and modern shops selling spices, fabrics, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more.

Gold Souq: Known for its high purity gold and Bahraini pearls, unique in the world.

Barbar Temple: An important archaeological site in Barbar, with three temples discovered, the oldest dating back to 3,000 BCE.

Bahrain Fort: An archaeological site with an artificial mound created by human habitation dating from 2,300 BCE to the 17th century CE.

 

Archaeological evidence indicates that the site once served as the capital of the Dilmun civilization and, most recently, as a Portuguese fort. Due to its archaeological importance, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Dilmun Burial Mounds: A necropolis dating back to the Dilmun era, where Danish excavations uncovered artifacts dating from around 4,100 to 3,700 BCE within the tumuli.

King Fahd Causeway: A multiple causeway and bridges combination connecting Khobar, Saudi Arabia with the island nation of Bahrain. The 25-kilometer causeway officially opened to traffic on November 25, 1986.

The Tree of Life: A 400-year-old mesquite tree in Bahrain considered a natural wonder. This lone tree rises from the desert and is nurtured by a source of water, the origin of which remains a mystery as no aquifers are known to exist at the tree’s location.

Siyadi House: One of the most impressive examples of a 19th-century house built by the pearl merchant Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi. It features ornate ceilings, stained-glass windows, carved screens, and a large safe set into the wall of a small, upper reception room.

Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort: Standing on a low escarpment overlooking the valley between East and West Riffa, the fort held an ideal strategic position during the 18th century. Recently restored, it is now open to the public. The fort features a section with Arabic calligraphy, including a beautiful display of illuminated Qur'an and other religious documents. A visit would not be complete without viewing the traditional trades and crafts cleverly displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souk from the 1930s.

Al-Jasra House: Built by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in 1907, this house was the birthplace of the late Amir in July 1933. After falling into disrepair when the family moved to Riffa in the 1930s, it was restored in 1986 and is now open to the public.

Shaikh Isa's House: Located in the old town of Muharraq, this house was once home to Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain at the time. It provides a fine example of local architecture, complete with wind towers, wall carvings, and lattice work, offering insights into traditional 19th-century life.