Explore Best Places In Manama

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Manama has long been an important commercial city on the Persian Gulf, and it is home to a varied population.

Manama is Bahrain’s capital and biggest city, with a population of around 157,000 people.

Bahrain founded itself as an independent country during the 19th century era of British predominance, after centuries of Portuguese and Persian domination and assaults by the reigning dynasties of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Although the modern twin towns of Manama and Muharraq seem to have been constructed at the same time in the 1800s, Muharraq rose to prominence owing to its defensive position and served as Bahrain’s capital until 1921. Manama became the commercial center and the primary entry point to Bahrain Island. Bahrain’s oil riches fueled rapid development in the twentieth century, and in the 1990s, a determined diversification push led to progress in other sectors and helped Manama become an important financial centre in the Middle East.

Almost the entire coastline is devoted to resort development. Here, hotels and beaches are well-equipped, attracting an increasing number of visitors daily.

Manama, the nation’s capital, is home to the country’s most notable attractions. Here, tourists can go on an excursion to the old Portuguese fort, whose grounds are now used for archeological digs. Al Khamis Mosque, one of the oldest Islamic structures, is located in the same region. The complex of Beit Al Qur’an is particularly worth a visit because it contains a historic mosque, expansive library halls, and a local museum.

The capital is home to numerous architecturally stunning structures designed in the classic Arabian style. The most notable are Arad Fort, St. Christopher’s Church, and the principal Exhibition Center.

When you’re done with sightseeing, it’s time to relax on one of the expansive sand beaches or visit the traditional markets that are of appeal to all tourists. The Gold Souk neighborhood is one of the most popular because it offers a vast assortment of jewelry. Visit the Clos Souk market if you’re looking for the highest quality textiles. Even though this country is small, the variety of attractions and walking paths is quite extensive.

The Clock Tower, which is located on Exhibition Avenue, is one of the city’s many modern attractions. There are two pyramidal towers constructed from the ornamental stone. This clock tower is regarded as one of the most unusual and beautiful in the world, as it is adorned with traditional ornamentation and complements the surrounding scenery.

Fountain Square in the Al Seef district is one of the city’s visitors’ favorite walking areas. This region is regarded as one of the most modern and elite in the city; there are numerous modern skyscrapers, as well as shopping and entertainment districts. The area’s most prominent feature is a huge center square with numerous magnificent fountains, which is ideal for cooling off on a hot day.

Not far from the Bahrain National Museum lies the Sculpture Park, another intriguing sight. It is a vast space paved with lovely slabs, upon which some extremely intriguing sculptures have been placed. A number of benches have been placed for guests’ convenience and comfortable viewing of the sculptures, as all of the artworks are extremely unique and interesting.

The Dolphinarium is located in the Marina Garden Park and is a must-see attraction for families visiting Manama. Every day in this entertainment complex, guests are treated to captivating performances. Young visitors to the dolphinarium will have the opportunity to swim with the magnificent mammals and capture wonderful photographs.

The Bab al-Bahrain is one of the most desirable neighborhoods to explore on foot in the city. Here, visitors may view a significant number of traditional-style buildings, as well as visit hundreds of souvenir shops and the largest market in the country. Here is where seasoned travellers come in search of unique mementos. This market sells exquisite hand-painted pottery, vibrant textiles of local production, spices, and magnificent works of art. This region is also home to one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, Bahrain Gate, a stunning arch-shaped architectural feature. This unusual mansion was erected in 1945, and government agencies and offices now occupy it.

Manama - Info

Muslim 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8%

Religion

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Currency

+973

Calling code

689,000

Population (metro)

30 km2 (10 sq mi)

Area

Arabic, English, Farsi

Language

• Male: 62.18% • Female: 37.82%

Sex Ratio

GMT+3

Time zone

Manama Travel Guide

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Everything you need to know about Manama before your trip

Things To Know About Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Things To Know About Manama

The settlement is situated on a tiny peninsula in the north-eastern corner of Bahrain. The topography is mainly flat (or moderately undulating) and arid, as it is across Bahrain.

Manama has a desert climate.

Manama, like the rest of Bahrain, has harsh weather conditions, with summer temperatures reaching 48 °C (118 °F) and winter temperatures as low as 7 °C (45 °F), with hail on rare occasions.

Summer and winter average temperatures range from 17 °C (63 °F) to over 45 °C (113 °F).

Autumn is the most pleasant season in Bahrain, with low sunlight and temperate temperatures moderated by gentle breezes.

How To Travel To Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

How To Travel To Manama

Bahrain International Airport is the major hub for Gulf Air and is located in Muharraq, just east of Manama. It provides strong connections across the region as well as to London. The airport features decent duty-free shopping, and a Transhotel that offers (for a price) beds and showers to travelers waiting for flights is now being redevelopment. Many people of eastern Saudi Arabia prefer to fly out of Bahrain, and Gulf Air provides shuttle services to Khobar and Dammam to meet this demand; enquire when making your reservation.

Air Arabia, a low-cost airline based in the United Arab Emirates, operates daily flights from Sharjah Airport, north of Dubai.

Unlike other airports, this one is rather tiny, which is advantageous because departure and arrival are relatively quick (and easy).

How To Get Around In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

How To Get Around In Manama

Many portions of the island are also served by public buses. Although bus tickets are modest, travelers may find it difficult to grasp the system due to difficulty in getting bus timetables and maps.

Traveling throughout Bahrain by bus was practically impossible until recently, and foreigners were discouraged against doing so. Buses to popular sites and malls were scarce, and they frequently arrived late. Waiting areas were frequently uninviting. Buses barely covered around 35% of the country, and most people would rather use a cab.

Taxis, on the average, provide decent service, although there are a few crooks. Always utilize the white with red roof or London style cabs when traveling from the airport. There is also a law that if the meter is not utilized, there is no charge

Districts & Neighbourhoods In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Districts & Neighbourhoods In Manama

Manama’s principal neighborhood is Adliya. It is where you will discover the best restaurants and bars, thus it is the best area to begin your search for nightlife.

Alternatively, Seef District is situated near Manama’s waterfront. In addition to Seef Mall and other retail centers, there are a variety of excellent eateries in the vicinity.

The island of Amwaj is located in the Persian Gulf. It is an artificial island containing a water park and a number of commercial shops. It is the ideal neighborhood for vacationing families.

Prices In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Prices In Manama

  • Tourist (Backpacker)

64 $ per day.

Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

  • Tourist (regular)

208 $ per day.

Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

Accommodation in Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Accommodation in Manama

Some hotels in Manama are so distinctive that they are well-known not only in the city, but even in other nations.

One of them is the Westin Bahrain City Centre, which shares a building with the largest shopping center in Bahrain. This premium hotel is popular with enthusiasts of shopping and active recreation, as visitors can visit Bahrain City Centre or Wahooo! water park at any time. The hotel is located in the same building as the famed entertainment complex Magic Planet, which is renowned for its wide selection of slot machines and one of the city’s largest theaters with 20 halls.

The Westin Bahrain City Centre hardly qualifies as a traditional hotel in the conventional sense, as its guests have access to an abundance of entertainment alternatives and recreational venues.

Sights & Landmarks In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Sights & Landmarks In Manama

Bahrain is a magnificent nation renowned for its many historical, religious, and natural attractions. To see all the significant sites, you will need to spend more than one day in this city.

In general, tours to the renowned Barbar Temple are quite popular among tourists. The temple complex is a three-story structure. You will also find the ruins of several old altars near the magnificent structure. Some of these altars are extremely ancient, dating back to the third millennium BCE.

Seyadi House, which is located in the town of Muhharak, will undoubtedly be mentioned while describing Bahrain’s architectural highlights. This exquisite palace, constructed in 1905, is regarded as a national architectural treasure.

Things To Do In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Things To Do In Manama

The history buff will not be disappointed, with a selection of ruins, rock art and museums to keep the mind wandering. The most famous is the archaeological site of Zubarah, which contains the remains of a once thriving port city. An early 20th century fort still exists and bears witness to a bygone era in the form of a museum.

The petroglyphs of Al-Jassassiya in north-eastern Qatar are a remarkable site with 900 petroglyphs believed to date back to the ancient tribes that inhabited the peninsula in the 15th century BC.

There are a number of forts and towers throughout the country; most of them have also been restored as museums. On the outskirts of the city of Umm Salal Mohammed are the Barzan towers, built to protect the country’s rainwater basin. Another defensive watchtower is located in Al Khor.

Food & Restaurants In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Food & Restaurants In Manama

Bahrain’s national cuisine is genuinely distinctive and varied. In addition to the traditional Arabic meals, many of which are truly delicacy, guests will be provided foods from the cuisines of Pakistan, India, and even Thailand. Typically, seafood is considered the foundation of the local cuisine. The local food sector offers the most diverse selection of foodstuffs to local eateries.

Fruits and vegetables are certainly not the most abundant items on the menus of the local eateries, but meat meals are no less popular. On restaurants specializing in national cuisine, tourists typically choose traditional dishes such as couscous and kebabs. Meat eaters will be unable to resist the irresistible fragrance of shawarma. Additionally, rice with stewed beef is a popular dish. You may also find satisfaction in savoring meat and poultry prepared over an open fire.

Shopping In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Shopping In Manama

The world-famous Gold Souq market in Manama is many people’s first association with shopping. This location is well-known for its exquisite jewelry, precious stones, and pearls. The merchandise is imported from numerous countries. Here, you can acquire the most pristine and exquisite Bahraini pearls at the best price. The local prices will satisfy even the most frugal tourists, as they are lower than in many European nations. For affluent consumers with high expectations, it is also possible to find suitable jewelry. The value of bargaining over price is an additional tempting opportunity.

Seef Mall, one of the largest retail malls in Bahrain, is located in Manama. This shopping and entertainment complex contains more than two hundred outlets where you may purchase both casual and formal attire. It is simple to mix strolls in the town with visits to eateries and cafes. 

Traditions & Festivals In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Traditions & Festivals In Manama

Despite Bahrain’s reputation as a sophisticated and quickly developing nation, the inhabitants continue to observe the cherished traditions of their forefathers. They observe their traditions with great reverence and respect. Here, it is typical to devote a great deal of time to moral and spiritual development, which is unquestionably founded on Islamic spiritual beliefs. Young people exhibit high regard for their elders. All significant decisions are taken with solely the permission of the younger generation. The indigenous populace cannot consume pork due to religious customs. Additionally, alcoholic beverages are subject to rigorous restrictions. Smoking is also not permitted, however it is not strictly prohibited.

The attire of the indigenous populace is likewise highly different and uncommon. Women wear attire that covers their entire bodies from head to toe. This national attire for ladies is known as “Abaya.” 

Nightlife In Manama - Bahrain travel Guide - By Travel S Helper

Nightlife In Manama

In Bahrain’s capital, nightlife is abundant, allowing everyone to choose a venue to his or her choice.

Manama has an extremely active nightlife. Whether you want to unwind in a bar after a day of sightseeing or want to dance the night away in a club, you will find both in the city.

The most popular bars in Manama are those with outside seating. Block 338 in Adlliya features the best bars. If you are hoping for a quiet drink, be aware that after 11pm, many bars will ramp up the music to create a party atmosphere.

Manama has an abundance of nightclubs for those seeking a party atmosphere. There is something for all demographics, whether you want to listen to Western music such as dance, pop, and hip hop, or Arabic music.