Rich with history—both ancient and modern—Bahrain truly is a Middle Eastern jewel with a lot on offer from to its futuristic skyline to its ancient pearl trade and splendid forts. We tap into a few of its unmissable attractions that every visitor to this fascinating archipelago must pay heed to!
By Raul Dias
Quick question: what comes to your mind when someone utters the words “Middle East”.
Deserts? Camels? Vast, barren lands? How about lush palm trees, white-sanded tropical islands
and cerulean-hued coral reefs that team with myriad sea life? Yes, the 33 natural islands
archipelago that is Bahrain is a curious mix of all the above descriptors and so much more…
Home to the ancient Dilmun civilisation that thrived 5,000 years ago—which believed that the
secret to eternal life lay in the sea surrounding Bahrain—it is no surprise then that the nation gets
its name from this myth. Apparently, the sea had certain pockets of sweet water that gushed up
from underground streams and mingled with the salty water. It is this mélange—that formed two
seas—to which modern Bahrain owes its name: bahr which means sea in Arabic and ‘thnain
which is two.
With over 4,000 years of trading history—with pearls, then oil and now tourism—behind it,
hospitality is an intrinsic part of the local Bahrainis’ DNA. As some of the warmest people in the
Middle East…nay, the world even, it is the locals that add that special touch to your visit with
their infectious smiles and welcoming words.
And while there is just so much to do and see when in Bahrain, in honour of brevity we’ve
narrowed our list down to a few must-dos. They may not ‘complete’ your visit to Bahrain, but
are enough to give you a sneak-peek into its diverse attractions and sights:
Pay Obeisance At The Ahmed Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Crowned by the world’s largest fiberglass dome, with a huge glittering chandelier from Austria
and carpets from Ireland, the Ahmed Al Fateh Grand Mosque truly is awe-inspiring. Its clean,
linear architecture is a subtle reflection of Middle Eastern elements. Able to accommodate 7,000
worshippers at one time—in its main hall and in its outdoor quadrangle, the sheer scale of the
mosque is breathtaking. Free guided tours are offered to everybody—irrespective of gender, race
and religion and is something strongly recommended to get a better understanding of the edifice
and what it means to the local Bahrainis.
Walk Up The Rampart Of The Qal’at Al Bahrain
More commonly known as the Bahrain Fort, Qal’at Al Bahrain—that offers a great panoramic
view of both the seashore and of the capital Manama’s startlingly modern skyline—was
designated as a World Heritage site in 2005. The fort that comprises four elements—the moat, an
ancient sea tower, a sea channel and palm grove—is a masterpiece of the Portuguese occupation of Bahrain in the 16 th century. Interestingly, excavations at the moat are proof that there has been
an unbroken occupation of the site over a 4,500-year period right from the time Bahrain was the
capital of the Dilmun civilisation.
Blast Into The Past!
As Bahrain’s second largest island, Muharraq is steeped in history and is a treasure trove of old-
style houses that are all very lovingly preserved, with many making it to the UNESCO heritage
list. Chief among these is the Shaikh Isa House that was once the home of the country’s longest
reigning sovereign (1869-1932), Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa. Don’t miss the house’s
brilliantly designed wind tower called a barjeel that is believed to have cooled the house to
almost air conditioner like temperatures in the summer. Equally impressive is the 100-year- old
Abdulla Al Zayed House that is the home of Abdulla Al Zayed (the publisher of the Gulf’s first
daily newspaper) and the Kurar House where the ancient Bahraini embroidery technique called
kurar is still practiced and on proud display.
Speedboat It Out To Al Dar islands
Enjoy a spot of tropical sea, sun, surf and sand by hotfooting your way by speed boat to the small
islands of Al Dar. A group of resort islands near Sitra, Al Dar is around 12 km southeast of
Manama. Here, one can hire out a palm-thatched beach cabanna and swim in the crystal-clear
waters, while chomping on a burger and sipping on a cold beer. Yes, alcohol is very much
readily available, not just at the bar on Al Dar, but in the rest of Bahrain as well. Come sunset,
you can even bring out your grill for an evening of BBQ on the soft white sands!
Immerse Yourself In The Tastes And Smells Of Bahrain
There can be no better place in any Middle Eastern country than a souq (local market) to dive
head-on into the kaleidoscopic world of flavours. The Manama souq in the heart of the city is
one such magical place where the meandering alleyways throw up shops selling everything from
typically Bahraini spices like the zesty za’ataar and the tangy sumac to Bahrain’s favourite
flavouring agent—saffron! Stop by a small, local eatery in the souq for a meal of the chicken and
rice dish of maqboos with sides of hummus and the eggplant-redolent moutabel—all washed
down with a glass of the sunshine-hued saffron sherbet.
Get All Oiled Up
Hang on, don’t let your imagination run wild! We’re simply alluding to the one thing that has
truly made the Middle East the powerhouse that it is today—oil. Discovered rather
serendipitously in 1931 by a goatherder seeking a water well, Bahrain’s first oil well aptly named
Oil Well No.1 is situated at the foothill of Jebal Al Dukhan or the Montain of Smoke in the south
of the country. However, it was only on 2 nd June, 1932 that oil began to gush forth from this well
and thus sealing the fate of this country forever. Right next to the well is the Oil Museum where
the exhibits include old drilling equipment, photographs and a working model of an oil rig to
give you an insight into the region’s best-known export.
Spend Sunset At Shajarat Al Hayat
Far into the arid desert, amidst vast nothingness is a mesquite tree standing stoically alone. Many
believe that there is no better way to end your Bahrain sojourn than by placing your hands on the
gnarly trunk of the 400 plus years old Tree of Life—or Shajarat Al Hayat as it is called
locally—at sunset and wishing to be back there soon. Yes, local legend has it that anyone
touching the ancient tree will return to Bahrain. Amen to that, we say!
FACT FILE
Getting There
There are a number of daily direct flights from India to Bahrain’s capital Manama on airlines like
Air India, Jet Airways and Gulf Air. Travel within Bahrain is very easy, given its small size and
most places in the country are under an hour away from each other. Bahrain’s super-efficient
buses, taxis and boats make travelling within the archipelago a treat! Indian passport holders
need an e-visa to enter Bahrain which is very easy to procure.
When To Visit
With Bahrain enjoying a pleasant climate during the winter months and brutally hot, humid
summers, the best months to travel are from November to early March when there is a gentle nip
in the air and sunny skies!
Accommodation
Bahrain has an excellent selection of hotels to choose from to suit all budgets and tastes. Some of
the best value-for- money options are:
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain (www.ritzcarlton.com)
Hotel Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa (www.sofitel.com)
ART Rotana Hotel & Resort (www.rotana.com)
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (www.fourseasons.com)
For More Information Visit
www.btea.bh, www.at-bahrain.com
(A shorter, differently edited version of this piece was first published in the October 2017 issue of The Week's Smart Life magazine)
By Raul Dias
Quick question: what comes to your mind when someone utters the words “Middle East”.
Deserts? Camels? Vast, barren lands? How about lush palm trees, white-sanded tropical islands
and cerulean-hued coral reefs that team with myriad sea life? Yes, the 33 natural islands
archipelago that is Bahrain is a curious mix of all the above descriptors and so much more…
Home to the ancient Dilmun civilisation that thrived 5,000 years ago—which believed that the
secret to eternal life lay in the sea surrounding Bahrain—it is no surprise then that the nation gets
its name from this myth. Apparently, the sea had certain pockets of sweet water that gushed up
from underground streams and mingled with the salty water. It is this mélange—that formed two
seas—to which modern Bahrain owes its name: bahr which means sea in Arabic and ‘thnain
which is two.
With over 4,000 years of trading history—with pearls, then oil and now tourism—behind it,
hospitality is an intrinsic part of the local Bahrainis’ DNA. As some of the warmest people in the
Middle East…nay, the world even, it is the locals that add that special touch to your visit with
their infectious smiles and welcoming words.
And while there is just so much to do and see when in Bahrain, in honour of brevity we’ve
narrowed our list down to a few must-dos. They may not ‘complete’ your visit to Bahrain, but
are enough to give you a sneak-peek into its diverse attractions and sights:
Pay Obeisance At The Ahmed Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Crowned by the world’s largest fiberglass dome, with a huge glittering chandelier from Austria
and carpets from Ireland, the Ahmed Al Fateh Grand Mosque truly is awe-inspiring. Its clean,
linear architecture is a subtle reflection of Middle Eastern elements. Able to accommodate 7,000
worshippers at one time—in its main hall and in its outdoor quadrangle, the sheer scale of the
mosque is breathtaking. Free guided tours are offered to everybody—irrespective of gender, race
and religion and is something strongly recommended to get a better understanding of the edifice
and what it means to the local Bahrainis.
Walk Up The Rampart Of The Qal’at Al Bahrain
More commonly known as the Bahrain Fort, Qal’at Al Bahrain—that offers a great panoramic
view of both the seashore and of the capital Manama’s startlingly modern skyline—was
designated as a World Heritage site in 2005. The fort that comprises four elements—the moat, an
ancient sea tower, a sea channel and palm grove—is a masterpiece of the Portuguese occupation of Bahrain in the 16 th century. Interestingly, excavations at the moat are proof that there has been
an unbroken occupation of the site over a 4,500-year period right from the time Bahrain was the
capital of the Dilmun civilisation.
Blast Into The Past!
As Bahrain’s second largest island, Muharraq is steeped in history and is a treasure trove of old-
style houses that are all very lovingly preserved, with many making it to the UNESCO heritage
list. Chief among these is the Shaikh Isa House that was once the home of the country’s longest
reigning sovereign (1869-1932), Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa. Don’t miss the house’s
brilliantly designed wind tower called a barjeel that is believed to have cooled the house to
almost air conditioner like temperatures in the summer. Equally impressive is the 100-year- old
Abdulla Al Zayed House that is the home of Abdulla Al Zayed (the publisher of the Gulf’s first
daily newspaper) and the Kurar House where the ancient Bahraini embroidery technique called
kurar is still practiced and on proud display.
Speedboat It Out To Al Dar islands
Enjoy a spot of tropical sea, sun, surf and sand by hotfooting your way by speed boat to the small
islands of Al Dar. A group of resort islands near Sitra, Al Dar is around 12 km southeast of
Manama. Here, one can hire out a palm-thatched beach cabanna and swim in the crystal-clear
waters, while chomping on a burger and sipping on a cold beer. Yes, alcohol is very much
readily available, not just at the bar on Al Dar, but in the rest of Bahrain as well. Come sunset,
you can even bring out your grill for an evening of BBQ on the soft white sands!
Immerse Yourself In The Tastes And Smells Of Bahrain
There can be no better place in any Middle Eastern country than a souq (local market) to dive
head-on into the kaleidoscopic world of flavours. The Manama souq in the heart of the city is
one such magical place where the meandering alleyways throw up shops selling everything from
typically Bahraini spices like the zesty za’ataar and the tangy sumac to Bahrain’s favourite
flavouring agent—saffron! Stop by a small, local eatery in the souq for a meal of the chicken and
rice dish of maqboos with sides of hummus and the eggplant-redolent moutabel—all washed
down with a glass of the sunshine-hued saffron sherbet.
Get All Oiled Up
Hang on, don’t let your imagination run wild! We’re simply alluding to the one thing that has
truly made the Middle East the powerhouse that it is today—oil. Discovered rather
serendipitously in 1931 by a goatherder seeking a water well, Bahrain’s first oil well aptly named
Oil Well No.1 is situated at the foothill of Jebal Al Dukhan or the Montain of Smoke in the south
of the country. However, it was only on 2 nd June, 1932 that oil began to gush forth from this well
and thus sealing the fate of this country forever. Right next to the well is the Oil Museum where
the exhibits include old drilling equipment, photographs and a working model of an oil rig to
give you an insight into the region’s best-known export.
Spend Sunset At Shajarat Al Hayat
Far into the arid desert, amidst vast nothingness is a mesquite tree standing stoically alone. Many
believe that there is no better way to end your Bahrain sojourn than by placing your hands on the
gnarly trunk of the 400 plus years old Tree of Life—or Shajarat Al Hayat as it is called
locally—at sunset and wishing to be back there soon. Yes, local legend has it that anyone
touching the ancient tree will return to Bahrain. Amen to that, we say!
FACT FILE
Getting There
There are a number of daily direct flights from India to Bahrain’s capital Manama on airlines like
Air India, Jet Airways and Gulf Air. Travel within Bahrain is very easy, given its small size and
most places in the country are under an hour away from each other. Bahrain’s super-efficient
buses, taxis and boats make travelling within the archipelago a treat! Indian passport holders
need an e-visa to enter Bahrain which is very easy to procure.
When To Visit
With Bahrain enjoying a pleasant climate during the winter months and brutally hot, humid
summers, the best months to travel are from November to early March when there is a gentle nip
in the air and sunny skies!
Accommodation
Bahrain has an excellent selection of hotels to choose from to suit all budgets and tastes. Some of
the best value-for- money options are:
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain (www.ritzcarlton.com)
Hotel Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa (www.sofitel.com)
ART Rotana Hotel & Resort (www.rotana.com)
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (www.fourseasons.com)
For More Information Visit
www.btea.bh, www.at-bahrain.com
(A shorter, differently edited version of this piece was first published in the October 2017 issue of The Week's Smart Life magazine)
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