Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Manama
Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
Arabic
NovโMar
AST (UTC+3)
Welcome to Bahrain, a small island nation in the Persian Gulf where ancient pearl-diving traditions meet a modern, cosmopolitan skyline. Manama, the capital, blends gleaming skyscrapers with bustling souks, where the scent of spices and the sound of bargaining fill the air. Bahrain's rich history stretches back thousands of years, once home to the ancient Dilmun civilization, with burial mounds and archaeological sites scattered across the island. The Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into layers of history spanning multiple empires. Beyond the city, the island's causeways and coastline invite visitors to explore pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Bahrain is also known for its Formula 1 circuit, drawing motorsport fans from across the globe each year. Traditional dhow boats still ply the waters, a nod to the island's seafaring and pearling heritage. Bahrain invites travelers to discover a compact destination rich with history, culture, and Gulf hospitality.
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Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Bahrain's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Spiced rice is cooked with chicken, lamb or fish and flavored with dried lime, cardamom, cinnamon and other aromatic seasonings.
Sweet rice flavored with dates or sugar is traditionally paired with grilled or fried fish for a distinctive sweet-and-savory combination.
Wheat and meat are slowly cooked together until smooth and creamy, then finished with clarified butter and warm spices.
Pieces of flatbread absorb a rich stew of meat and vegetables, creating a comforting dish especially popular during Ramadan.
Crisp triangular pastries are filled with seasoned meat, cheese, vegetables or lentils and served as a snack or appetizer.
Marinated pieces of meat are grilled over charcoal and served with bread, onions, herbs and tangy sauces.
Sweet vermicelli flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water is topped with a savory egg omelet.
Small fried dough balls are crisp outside, soft inside and drizzled with date syrup, honey or sweet syrup.
This glossy sweet is flavored with saffron, cardamom, rose water and nuts and is commonly served with Arabic coffee.
Although Bahrain is one of the smallest countries in Asia, it has an extraordinary history that stretches back more than 4,000 years. Archaeologists believe Bahrain was the heart of the ancient Dilmun civilization, a wealthy trading empire that connected Mesopotamia with the Indus Valley. Dilmun became so prosperous that it was mentioned in ancient Sumerian texts as a paradise of abundance and fresh water. Today, hundreds of archaeological burial mounds scattered across the island remain among the largest prehistoric cemeteries in the world, offering remarkable insight into one of the Gulf's earliest civilizations.
Long before oil transformed Bahrain's economy, the island was internationally renowned for its natural pearls. For centuries, Bahraini pearl divers spent months at sea collecting oysters by hand, often diving more than 60 feet without modern equipment. The country's pearls were considered some of the finest in the world because they formed naturally rather than through cultivation. Bahrain's pearling heritage became so significant that UNESCO designated its historic pearling trail as a World Heritage Site, preserving the villages, oyster beds, and trading centers that once fueled the nation's prosperity.
Another fascinating landmark is the mysterious Tree of Life, a lone mesquite tree standing in the middle of the desert more than 250 years old. Despite growing in an area with virtually no rainfall and no obvious water source, the tree continues to flourish, inspiring countless legends about its survival. Bahrain is also connected to neighboring Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, one of the longest bridges in the Middle East, stretching more than 15 miles across the Persian Gulf.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltรซr), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.
Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"โa centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.
