Manama, Bahrain: travel guide
Souq lanes and Gulf towers on the waterfront of Bahrain's capital
Bahrain's capital and largest city, a Gulf financial hub blending a historic pearling-era souq with modern towers, museums, and the region's liberal dining/nightlife scene.
About Manama
Manama sits on the northern tip of Bahrain, an island capital where glass towers along the Gulf share the skyline with older quarters of narrow lanes and traditional markets. It is compact enough to explore on foot in pieces, and a good first stop for Bahrain travel.
Things to do in Manama include wandering the old souq area for spices, textiles and gold, visiting the National Museum for a grounding in the island's long history, and ending the day on the seafront with a cafe or a seafood dinner. The city has a relaxed, easygoing dining scene that draws on Arabic, Persian and Indian traditions.
Manama suits short city breaks and stopovers, and works well as a base for day trips across the causeways. The cooler months from November to March are the most comfortable time to visit.
- Country
- Bahrain
- Currency
- BHD
- Time zone
- Asia/Bahrain
- Nearest airport
- BAH
Last updated
Top places to visit in Manama
Bahrain World Trade Center
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin sail-shaped towers connected by three wind turbine bridges, a landmark of sustainable Gulf architecture.
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Mosque · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest mosque in Bahrain, able to accommodate 7,000 worshippers, with one of the world's largest fiberglass domes; open to visitors of all faiths for guided tours.
Bahrain National Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Bahrain's largest and oldest public museum, tracing 6,000 years of history across nine halls including archaeology, traditional culture, and Dilmun-era artifacts.
Bab Al Bahrain
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic gateway built in 1949 marking the entrance to Manama Souq; once the arrival point from Manama Port for those arriving by sea.
National Theatre of Bahrain
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Bahrain's national performing arts venue adjoining the National Museum, hosting theatre, opera and concerts.
Manama Souq
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Traditional souq beside Bab Al Bahrain with gold, spices, textiles and handicraft shops; the historic commercial heart of the city.
Block 338 / Avenue 338 (Adliya)
Nightlife · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Manama's trendiest dining and nightlife district, packed with restaurants, cafes and art galleries in a walkable residential-turned-social quarter.
Bahrain Financial Harbour
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Waterfront twin-tower financial district on reclaimed land in Manama Bay with a promenade, marina and retail.
Things to do
- Bahrain National Museum Guided Visit Museum Tour · 1.5 h · from BHD 3 per person
- Al Fateh Grand Mosque Visit Cultural Tour · 0.8 h
- Manama Souq Walking Tour Walking Tour · 1.5 h
- Manama Dhow Harbour Cruise Boat Tour · 2 h · from BHD 15 per person
- Bahrain Fort (Qal'at al-Bahrain) Visit Heritage Tour · 1.5 h · from BHD 2 per person
- Block 338 Food & Nightlife Crawl Food Tour · 2.5 h
Where to stay in Manama
Hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain 5-star
- Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay 5-star
- Wyndham Grand Manama 5-star
- Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort 4-star
- Sheraton Bahrain Hotel 5-star
- Downtown Rotana Manama 5-star
Where to eat
- Haji's Cafe Bahraini, Middle Eastern · about BHD 3 per person
- Bahrain Bay Kitchen International · about BHD 10 per person
- Plums (The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain) Steakhouse, International · about BHD 32 per person
- Nirvana (The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain) Indian · about BHD 32 per person
- Cafe Lilou Cafe, French · about BHD 10 per person
- Mirai Restaurant Japanese, Peruvian, Nikkei · about BHD 32 per person
- Sherlock Holmes Manama British, Pub Food · about BHD 10 per person
- Parsian Restaurant Iranian, Persian · about BHD 10 per person
Getting to Manama
Airport: Bahrain (BAH)
Getting around
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking