Just like the pearls for which it’s famous, Bahrain feels a little like a waiting-to-be-discovered gem. The rising star of the Gulf has a skyline spiked with awe-inspiring skyscrapers and palm trees. And since the Formula 1 Grand Prix came to Bahrain, everything shifted up a gear.
Look closer and you’ll also uncover beautiful mosques, UNESCO sites and museums full of archaeological wonders.
Explore today
Capital city
Manama
Currency
Bahraini Dinar (in BD1, 5, 10, 20 and 500 notes)
Cuisine
You can find cuisines from all corners of the globe in Bahrain. But, for a taste of local delicacies, look out for the date-dotted rice dish muhammar, flame-roasted shawarma and khubz, a kind of flatbread.
Tipping etiquette
Expect to see a 10-15% service charge on restaurant and hotel bills – and tip taxi drivers and porters at your discretion.
Saying hello
If shaking hands, offer your right hand and say “As-salaamu ‘alaykum”.
Dreaming of blue skies and sunshine? You can’t go far wrong year-round in Bahrain. Winter comes from October to March, but although the temperature cools you can still expect warm sun. The summer months of May to September can be overwhelmingly hot, so be prepared.
While fascinating by day, it’s worth returning to the outside of Al-Fateh Mosque after dark when the incredible fibreglass dome lights up.
