World Destination of the Week - Bahrain
If you want to go to the Middle East but aren’t sure where to go first, the island nation of Bahrain is the place to start. One of the more liberal Gulf states, it is well known for its great education system, strong economy and moderate Muslim culture. Bahrain was an important trading centre in ancient times, and its fusion of the historic and the modern make it a popular travel destination.
So when’s the best time to go? Bahrain summers can get extremely hot, so it’s best to plan your trip for November or February. Traditional festivals like Ramadan and the annual pilgrimage to Mecca are best avoided since the island gets very busy.
Once you arrive there are several options for travel. A bus service links the major towns and this is a great and inexpensive way of getting around. Walking is a good way to see Bahrain from street level, but you’ll need a car if you want to explore further afield. Rental agencies can be found in major hotels. Make sure you have an International Driving Permit before you go. Taxis in Bahrain are metered, but longer trips are charged at an hourly rate.
Most of Bahrain’s attractions are in the capital city Manama. It is Bahrain’s largest city and is located on a peninsula at the north-east corner of the state. Manama home to 155,000 Bahrainis - nearly a quarter of the country’s population. The city is steeped in history and has remnants of Portuguese and Persian rule.
The National Museum in Manama is worth a look. It has a wide array of exhibits spanning 7000 years of history. The highlights are the calligraphy section and the collection of Korans dating back to the 7th century. Visit the souk to take in the sights and sounds of a Bahraini marketplace. Its bustling atmosphere is quintessentially Arabian, and haggling is a must.
Muslims and non-Muslims alike are welcome at the Great Mosque (Al-Fateh), the largest building in Bahrain. It is a modern mosque built by the late Sheik Isa bin Salman al Khalifa in the early 1990s, and named after Ahmed al Fateh, the conqueror of Bahrain.
Take bus number 5 from Manama to the Barbar complex. Here you’ll find three temples from the 2nd and 3rd millennia BC built in honour of Enki, the God of Wisdom. Another historic landmark is the Portuguese Fort, Qal’at Al-Bahrain. Archaeologists have discovered that the earliest civilization to build at the site was in 2800 BC. Another fort that’s worth a visit is the Abu Mahir which offers great views of the Manama skyline.
Bahrain has 85,000 burial mounds of which The Royal Tombs are the biggest and grandest. They are located in the town of A’ali in the centre of the island, and reach heights of 50 feet. If you visit A’ali, don’t miss the pottery workshop (said to be Bahrain’s best) where you can pick up hand crafted items.
Europe is well served by direct flights to Bahrain. Fares are cheapest during the low seasons of early January to mid-June and mid-October to mid-December. If you’re planning to travel within the Middle East, Bahrain is well served by routes to other Arab states. Be prepared for an airport departure tax of around US$8.00. Bahrain International Airport is on the nearby island of Al Muharraq which is connected to the capital city Manama on the mainland by a causeway. Important note: if your passport holds an Israeli stamp you will not be allowed to enter Bahrain.
For cheap flights to Bahrain check FlightComparison.co.uk.