Bahrain—a hidden gem

Offering a score of ‘off-the-beaten-track’ possibilities for your next holiday, Bahrain is a destination simply waiting to be discovered… by you!


By Raul Dias


Be prepared to counter looks of sheer surprise and confusion when you tell people that you’re off to Bahrain for a holiday. Well, for one, Bahrain isn’t one of those places that finds favourable mention in the ‘Top 10 must visit destinations’ lists drawn up annually only to recommend over and done with places that promise you a “great holiday” that leaves you with nothing more than a sense of déjà vu from your last holiday. And secondly, even if one were to consider a Middle Eastern destination for a holiday, it would most certainly be dazzling Dubai or exotic Egypt. So what makes Bahrain a holiday destination that many people around the world are slowly scoping out?

The answer to the above question is best answered in one word—unusual. The possibilities of things to do and see in Bahrain are simply endless and supremely varied. From deep sea pearl diving to scouring the souk for some great bargains to trekking its myriad forts, this tiny nation has a lot on tap. With Bahrain being a tiny place, the main area of Manama remains the centre for all tourist activity thanks to the sheer number of things to do and see here.

Over the last decade, avid divers have discovered the aquatic bounty of Bahrain with a vengeance. Diving remains one of Bahrain’s top attractions and rightly so! Pearl Diving has been the heritage of Bahrain for millennia. Today, the productive oyster beds continue to flourish providing exciting and rewarding diving opportunities all around the year. The water temperatures ranging from 34˚C during summer to 20˚C during winter, offer comfortable conditions for diving all through the year. All you divers, snorkellers and photographers out there can discover a multitude of Indo Pacific species including trigger fish, turtles, surgeon fish, grouper and barracuda cruise. And you needn’t bother about bringing your own equipment to Bahrain, scuba and snorkeling equipment, along with excursions are available here that meet the international standards through a PADI 5 Star Dive Center located in Manama. For those who haven’t had their fill of peal diving, the Museum of Pearl Diving also in Manama is considered as the most important historic buildings in Bahrain. It derives importance as being the first official center for Bahrain Courts. Today it serves as a virtual treasure trove of information both audio and visual about the ancient art of Bahraini pearl diving.

Although there are many forts in Bahrain for you to ‘Indiana Jones’ you way through, the mighty Bahrain Fort in Manama is a must visit place. The site where the fort is located is believed to have been constructed around 2800 BC, and is subsequently overlaid by various fortified settlements. The last was built during the 16th century to defend the acquisition of Portugal. The Bahrain Fort is also known as the Portuguese Fort, due to this reason. Equally impressive is the Arab Fort that is one of the first landmarks one could come across on arrival at Bahrain, due to its close proximity to the airport. The illuminated fort, when seen at night, is a truly magnificent sight.

No trip to any Middle Eastern destination is complete without a ramble through a souk that is a treat for all your senses. The Bab el-Bahrain souk in Manama is divided into two main areas—the gold souk and the cloth souk, here you can find everything from beautiful carpets of all colours and textures to Bahraini jewelery and a traditional array of spices that tickle the olfactory senses.

Another Middle Eastern cliché—oil is also well represented at the Bahrain Oil Museum is situated near the ‘Oil Well No.1’ and was inaugurated on 2nd June 1992 to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of discovery of oil in Bahrain, which was also the first country in the Middle East to do so. The museum comprises fascinating drilling equipments, old photographs, document and the working model of an oil rig.

And when all that site-seeing makes you hungry, Bahraini cuisine won’t disappoint. Shawarmas, kebabs, biryanis, mezze platters consiting of various dips like hummus and babaganouj can be found at most restaurants that dot the Exhibition Road near Joora. One of the most beautiful and interesting places to eat out in Bahrain is Mezzaluna in Manama, that is located in an old villa where the dining room is actually a glass-ceilinged courtyard where you can see the blue sky by day and the stars at night. With Friday being the Sunday of the Middle East, Friday brunch at restaurants has become a way of life for many Bahrain residents. Many restaurants offer sumptuous spreads, often accompanied by live entertainment. Among the more popular are the Jazz Brunch at Diplomat’s Al Fanar and Gulf Hotel’s weekly brunch. No meal in Bahrain can be considered complete without trying out the gahwa (Arabic coffee). It really is refreshing! A word of advice though. Remember to shake the cup gently from side to side to indicate you’re done, or else you’ll find your cup being constantly refilled!

Like this and much, much more, Bahrain has a lot to offer the intrepid traveler. Give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

(First published in Yuva)