The Kingdom of Bahrain is a beautiful country close to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The place is sought after among the citizens of gulf countries because of its accessibility. For Indian tourists, it is easy to explore the country on a two or three day trip and explore its wonders. Many tourists who visit UAE often club Bahrain in their plans and visit two countries in a day.
I went to Bahrain in the hot month of May when the temperature reaches almost 55 degrees Celsius. It was not a good time to explore the country, but I did it anyways. In this blog I will share my experience about my trip and how you can plan a trip to enjoy the best of it.
Where is Bahrain
Located in Persian Gulf, Bahrain is an island country which blends modern life with ancient traditions. Bahrain’s capital Manama is the center of all the attractions while there are many historical places nearby. If you are traveling to Bahrain in winters, you can also enjoy concerts and festivals that are primarily designed for attract more tourists. These are the highlights of every Bahrain travel guide.
Visa for Indians Traveling to Bahrain
You can easily apply for a visa if you are traveling from India to Bahrain. You can apply it online through https://www.evisa.gov.bh/ and it takes 1 week to arrive. During application they may ask for your bank account statement, make sure that it is stamped by your bank authorities. Apart from this, you have to submit a passport photo in color along with hotel booking details and all the scanned copies of your passport.
Minimum Currency to Carry for Bahrain Trip
When you are applying for visa, you need to show a minimum balance of $1000 in your account. But there is no such rule to carry the same when you are boarding your flight. But chances are that your airline will ask you to show $1000 in cash or they won’t tell you board your flight. In that case you’ll need to carry $1000. This seems to be a scam because the currency exchange counters at airports charge almost 12% of commission which is $150 of the total money exchanged. Make sure that you have $500 in hand beforehand. A situation like this is unavoidable.
Read More: Schengen Visa Application from India: A Solo Traveller’s Guide
Luxury Travel Around Bahrain
If you are just transiting or are short on time, you can opt for a luxury travel service, Hala Bahrain. Through Hala Bahrain you’ll find access to a luxurious arrival lounge, concierge services, and comfortable immigration process at the airport. With the right Bahrain travel guide, you can explore the country with ease. This makes your travel experience comfortable, and stress free compared to doing everything by yourself.
Arriving in Manama
As explained above, Manama is the capital and business center of Bahrain. The international airport is also located here. I got my sim card from the airport and got some money exchanged here as well. Surprisingly, the exchange rate was much cheaper at this airport and I only paid $1 USD as the exchange fee. Later I found that you could exchange money at many local exchange points for free.
When you are traveling to any Gulf Country, make sure that you have Careem app downloaded on your phone. It is the best way to book a cab and make payment using your card or cash. I reached hotel at 9 PM and ordered my dinner. A shawarma was only 60 INR, and it was way bigger than the ones we get in India. I took a nap after my dinner.
Traditional Bahraini Breakfast
Bahraini breakfast is a must have when you are in this country. It is a combination of eggs, bread, noodles, and many different style of condiments.
Some of the must try in Bahraini breakfast are
Alo Chab: Fried potato kababs.
Alo: Sautéed potatoes
Mihyawa: Flat bread with fish sauce.
Karak Chai: Milk Tea
Khubz Tannoor: Bahraini flat bread.
Balaleet: Vermicelli with omelette.
Baydh Tomat – Egg and Tomato
Nikhee: Fried Chickpeas
The most popular location for Bahraini breakfast is at Emmawash which is at the Manama Souq. But if you are looking for a more traditional experience, you need to visit Haji Café. It is a small 100-year-old restaurant in an alley in the old city, close to Bahrain souq. A visit to Haji Cafe, Manama will make your Bahrain travel guide experience worth the time and money.
Best Places to Visit in Bahrain
After Your Breakfast, you can start your sightseeing trip of Bahrain. Here are some of the must visit places:
Bahrain Fort
Qal’at al-Bahrain, or Bahrain Fort, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort has been constructed in multiple eras and the earliest remnants date back to 2300 BC. The fort is huge, and you need to walk a lot in order to find the main entrance. There are chances that the fort is closed when you go there because it doesn’t receive a lot of tourists. But you can still see the remnants from the outside.
Read More: The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide to Laos for Indian Backpackers
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
The Al Fateh Grand Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a place to learn about Islam and Bahraini culture. The mosque offers a free tour where you can learn about its significance. An important highlight of this mosque is that every part of its architecture was brought from a different country. All the displays are in Arabic and English making it easy to learn about it.
Bab Al Bahrain
Bab Al Bahrain is the historical Souq. Before the kingdom expanded its land by reclaiming the sea, Bab Al Bahrain used to be the port from where traders and ships used to arrive in the country. You need to remember that most of the souq opens in the evening so plan accordingly to explore the best of this historical side of the country. You can buy souvenirs, try local food and explore the old architecture of the country in these traditional markets.
Manama Cityscape
Manama has a modern and futuristic cityscape. Its skyline is recognizable with the twin towers of world trade center. You can walk around the marina to witness this. Evening is the best time to see it.
Amwaj Islands
Amwaj Islands are located on the Northeastern part of the country. The Islands are manmade and known for its luxurious residential properties. There are many amenities like shopping malls, restaurants and cafes and all of them are on the luxurious side. The Amwaj Islands boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Bahrain. There are many resorts here that provide private access to the beaches, and a visit is totally worth it.
Tree of Life
Bahrain’s Tree of Life is considered an iconic symbol of the country. This old tree is also known as Shajarat-al-Hayat and is in the desert region. Many believe that Bahrain was the Biblical location of The Garden of Eden, and the tree of life was a part of it. The most unique aspect of this tree is that there is no vegetation around this area, but this tree is standing here for centuries. The tree is not that tall, but it is wide and lush.
You can take a taxi to the tree of life and ask them to wait as you return from your sightseeing trip.
Bahrain Bay Beach
The Bahrain Bay Beach is the most iconic and popular beach of the country. Surrounded by Manama Skyline, this beach provides the perfect spot to spend your evenings. you can enjoy paddling, kayaking, or water bikes at the beach or just relax while sipping a cocktail.
Bahrain National Museum
If you’re in learning about the history of Bahrain and the culture of the people, then a visit to Bahrain National Museum is a must. A prime highlight of the museum is the Persian Gulf Art. The entry to the museum is just $1 USD, which is pretty nominal. You can spend your time here in the air-conditioned galleries on a summer afternoon. The museum is divided into 6 or 7 sections, across two levels. There are galleries dedicated to Islamic Art, trade routes, culture, historical political systems, and a lot more.
A’Ali Village
A’Ali is the home to Bahraini pottery culture. It is in the middle of Bahrain Island, an hour away from the main town. A’Ali village holds the old remains of the Dilmun civilization that flourished here in 3000 BC. there are large mysterious and extraordinary ancient burial mounds scattered across in the village. These mounds date back to between 3200 BC-330 BC.
Pottery Workshops of A’Ali Village
There are many pottery workshops in the area that have been operating here for as long as the mounds have been around. You can buy souvenirs from here or learn the art yourself if you have more time in your hand. The number of pottery workshops have now reduced to seven families from what was 2/3rd of the whole village half a century ago. The biggest family-run workshop here is by Jaffer Mohd. Al-Shughul Pottery Workshop.
Pearling Path
Bahrain had a thriving pearl diving industry before its economic boom. Today the area where this industry was thriving is preserved as Pearling Path. It comprises 20 sites which includes quarters, mosques, museums and a lot more. This 3.5 km long trail is also UNESCO world heritage site.
Pearling Path has two distinct ends, starting from Qal’at Bu Mahir constructed in 1840. This fort protected Bahrain’s pearling fleet from pirates. It was also the point of freshwater supply in the area. On the other end you’ll find the Siyadi Complex. It is a set of three grand 19th Century edifices that belonged to one of Bahrain’s wealthiest pearl merchants.
Club Your Bahrain Trip with Oman or Dubai
Bahrain is at max a weekend so it is easy to club this trip with Dubai or Oman trip. If you have more time in hand, you can also go to Jordan or Iran to explore more..
Hope you liked this Bahrain travel guide. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful country and have queries, connect with me on my Instagram or YouTube.
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