Things to Do in Manama

October 29, 2026

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Bahrain was struck by Iranian missiles and drones from 28 February 2026. A ceasefire has held since 8 April 2026, with reported violations and later drone and cyber incidents. Airspace and the King Fahd Causeway have closed at short notice. Tourism is open, but check the UK FCDO advice , the US State Department advisory , your insurer and your airline before you book, and expect tours and events to change at short notice.

Where to start in Manama

Manama is the capital of an island kingdom in the Gulf, and the main island is only about 50 km long, so most sights are within 45 to 60 minutes of the centre by car. The best season is November to March, when temperatures sit around 20 to 28C. From June to September it is 40C or more with heavy humidity, so keep outdoor plans to early mornings and evenings and carry water.

Bab Al Bahrain and the old souq

Bab Al Bahrain is the arched gateway to the old market, designed by Sir Charles Belgrave and dated 1945 by the government (some sources say 1949). Behind it the covered lanes hold the Gold Souq, with 21 and 22 carat Bahraini gold, and spice stalls selling saffron and dried sumac. For a break, try Cafe Naseef, said to be Bahrain’s first ice cream shop, opened in 1920, or a traditional breakfast of machboos or balaleet at a souq cafe.

Museums and forts

The Bahrain National Museum sits on the waterfront and has nine galleries, including a reconstructed Bronze Age burial mound. Entry is about BD 2 to 2.2, so confirm at the door. It opens 09:00 to 20:00 and is closed on Tuesdays. Qal’at al-Bahrain, the UNESCO fort on the north coast about 6 km west of Manama, is closed on Mondays; the grounds are reported to be free and the museum charges about BD 2. Official listings show Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00 to 20:00.

On the water

Wooden dhow cruises along Bahrain Bay give views of the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Center and the Four Seasons. The towers can be photographed from the waterfront but have no public viewing deck. Prices and sailing times vary by operator, so ask before boarding.

Pearl diving is offered through an official tourism programme from Sa’ada and Bu Maher ports. Divers must be 18 or older, and a shallow-water option for swimmers is open from age 16. Prices vary by operator and change, so check the current listing before planning around it.

Eating and an evening out

Block 338 in Adliya is a walkable district of galleries, cafes and restaurants, and Cafe Lilou is a long-running name there. Alcohol is legal for non-Muslims in licensed hotels and restaurants, but the drink-driving limit is zero and public drunkenness is an offence. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight.

Practical tips

The currency is the Bahraini dinar (BD), pegged at about BD 0.376 to US$1, so single-digit prices add up quickly.
Most visitors use the eVisa; fees vary by length of stay, so check evisa.gov.bh for the current figure.
Photographing military or security sites is prohibited, including the naval base area at Juffair.
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was run at Sepang in Malaysia. The 2027 race at Sakhir is reported for 12 to 14 March 2027, so check the official calendar before planning around it.

Bookable tours and activities are listed at GetYourGuide .