When you come to Bahrain, you need to explore its hidden gems. Then, you can start a tour around Bahrain to indulge in its history and visit must-see attractions.
In contrast to its reputation as an oil producer, the Kingdom of Bahrain is more widely regarded as a vacation destination.
An archipelago of 50 natural and 33 artificial islands, it can be found in the Persian Gulf off the east coast of Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain, ruled by the British throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, gained its independence in 1971 and is now a so-called Islamic Constitutional Monarchy.
Its convenient location in the middle of the Middle East, its ‘openness’ to Western tourists, and its more relaxed alcohol policies all contribute to the country’s continued popularity.
Bahrain welcomes many tourists every day who come from the gulf countries or even who come for work in Bahrain.
If you have spare time to have a tour around the kingdom, please do! You will be surprised by what this country can offer you, and these are some of the sights we took in…
Are you an expat in Bahrain, or have you decided to fly to the country soon?
Well, you need to check out apartments for rent in Bahrain, villas for rent in Bahrain, or a studio for rent in Bahrain on the Sakan platform.
A tour Around Bahrain: Best Attractions
Qal’at’ Arad
Near Bahrain’s international airport lies Qal’at’ Arad, also known as Bahrain Fort or Arad Fort. It was constructed in the 15th century AD.
The fort’s design includes a square layout with round towers at each of the four corners and ditches that serve as a moat when filled with water.
The fort, which serves as one of Bahrain’s primary defensive installations, was built in the style of contemporary Islamic forts.
Built for defense, it fell to the Portuguese in the 16th century and became their stronghold.
Bahrain, too, changed hands after the Omani’s brief occupation in 1800.
The fort was thankfully authentically restored between 1984 and 1987.
Visitors can pay a nominal charge to enter the fort and explore its many little alleyways and chambers at their own pace.
Seeing such a well-preserved historical relic in a technologically advanced nation like Bahrain was a pleasant surprise.
Riffa Fort
In 1812, Sheikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Al Khalifa made his home in what is now known as the Sheikh Salman bin Ahmed Fort (Riffa Fort or Qal’at ar-Rifa), an ancient monument.
Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the ruler from 1869 until 1932, was also born at Riffa fort.
Some restoration work is being done on its perch over the Hunanaiya valley.
The upper level’s interior was closed to guests to undergo renovation. But you can call the attraction to ask about the possibility of visiting before going there.
Salman bin Hamad Mosque
There must be hundreds of mosques in Bahrain, but the Salman bin Hamad Mosque in Awali was the one that caught my attention.
The external green and yellow color scheme appealed to me.
Compared to the mosques I’ve seen in countries like Turkey and Jordan, this one stood out for its unusual design.
The building’s outside looks lovely nonetheless. However, some restrictions exist for non-muslims; for example, you can not visit the mosque during praying time.
And please keep in mind to dress modestly.
The Tree of Life
As we are roaming everywhere to complete our tour in Bahrain, you should stop for a while to explore this spot.
At first glance, Bahrain’s “Tree of Life” (Shajarat-al-Hayat) is what its name implies: an enormous, unkempt tree.
The irony of traveling through oil fields on the way there is not lost on anyone.
But the tale behind the tree is even more interesting: it’s a roughly 10-meter-tall Prosopis cineraria tree that was just discovered to be over 400 years old.
In and of itself, the tree’s remarkable longevity in the face of high temperatures and low rainfall is unprecedented.
Nature will probably figure something out. It has been hypothesized that the tree’s extensive root structure allows it to reuse water from many kilometres of distant springs.
Also, you can pay a visit to the best parks in Bahrain nearby the Tree of Life for a more delightful experience.
It’s important to use caution when driving here because a portion of the road leading to the tree is covered with fine sand.
If you take it easy and steady, you’ll be OK driving.
We could freely investigate the tree’s canopies, which provided welcome shade, without incident.
The Bahrain World Trade Center
One of the most iconic structures in Bahrain is the World Trade Center.
The 240-meter-tall building is a twin-tower complex in Manama’s capital that features three wind turbines installed in the passages between its towers.
The building was designed by Atkins and featured fifty stories. It’s one of the epic buildings in Bahrain.
The turbines can generate up to 675 kW of electricity, enough to power around 15% of the building’s needs.
Views of this facility are spectacular from anywhere along King Faisal Highway.
We had a cup of coffee and scenic vistas at the Bahrain Financial Harbour. But your luck has changed if going shopping is one of your favorite activities.
Manama, the capital of Bahrain, is teeming with shopping centers.
Bab Al Bahrain
It’s a popular destination for the numerous sightseers who flock to the kingdom.
The Islamic nature of this archaeological gate was meticulously restored in 1945, and it now displays numerous inscriptions and verses from the Qur’an written in exquisite Arabic calligraphy.
One of Bahrain’s most picturesque marketplaces, it features rows upon rows of stalls selling anything from fresh produce to locally made goods to some of the country’s finest examples of gold and pearl jewellery.
The gateway to the CBD, Bab Al Bahrain, stands proudly in the city’s heart. The Bahrain Market is the primary access point to the Manama market.
Remember to take a photo wherever you go.
Among the many things to do in Bab Al Bahrain is visit the Prominent Products Show, where you can peruse a wide variety of artisanal goods. You can shop for clothing, baskets, homewares, and even popular confectionery brands.
In short, Bahrain is a fascinating country with a glorious history and many exciting attractions. So if you’re looking for a place to visit that is both historical and scenic, Bahrain should be on your list!
