Introduction

''Manama'' (Arabic: ??????? , transliteration: al-Man?ma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain with an approximate population of 155,000 people, roughly a quarter of the country's population. Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.

Get in

All roads in Bahrain lead to Manama, so see the main Bahrain article for details.

Get around

By Taxi

'''Taxis''' are expensive, yet they are the only way to get around without ''renting a car''. Extra charges are added to fares starting from the '''airport''' (2 Dinars) and '''any hotel''' (1 Dinar). Always use the meter or you will, guaranteed, get ripped off. A ride to the central parts of city will cost around 5-6 Dinars ($13.30-$16.00).

By Car

'''Renting a car''' is far more efficient economically. Manama is a small city on a small Island, you won't get lost for very long. Make sure to buy a map / it should cost around 0.50-1.00 Dinars ($1.83-$3.65)

See

  • Al-Fateh Mosque. One of the largest mosques in the world, capable of accommodating over 7,000 worshippers at a time and is the largest place of worship in Bahrain.< One of the top tourist attractions in Bahrain and highly recommended.
  • Corniche al-Fateh. On the east coast of the city, this pleasant seaside promenade offers good views of the skyscrapers to the south and planes taking off from the airport nearby. Plenty of fun fair rides for the kids and shisha bars for the older set.
  • Pearl Monument. Bahrain's unofficial symbol, this statue in the middle of a roundabout has six (very) stylized ''dhow'' sails holding a pearl aloft.
  • Museum of Pearl Diving. Bahrain's historical cultural of diving for pearls in the Persian Gulf
  • Bahrain National Museum. l Fateh Highway. Natural and Cultural history of Bahrain
  • Tree of Life. 0 km south of Manama. Famous lonesome tree in the middle of a dry desert. Scientists haven't figured out how it survives, since no underground aquifer or spring exists under that area. In fact, all underground water sources are around the tree are contaminated with salt, suggesting the tree may in fact possess a mutation rendering it salt-tolerant.

    Do

    Manama is a getaway for Arabs and expats residing in the ''''alcohol banned'''' Arab countries. Tourists, particularly Saudis and residents of Saudi Arabia, come to Bahrain mainly for the nightlife, and often refer to the island not as "Bahrain," but as "The Bar."

    Buy

    Manama is the best place to shop for less! It offers the Manama Souq, which any tourist cannot miss. It is a marketplace consisting of shops one can ever imagine, making it a shopper's paradise. Goods are of good quality, and the prices are very reasonable indeed. Just make sure you remember to bargain, otherwise you'll miss out the fun.

    Local shopping malls include the "Bahrain City Centre", '''Yateem Center''', '''Bahrain Mall''', '''Dana Mall''' and '''Seef Mall'''.

    Eat

    Restaurants in Manama run the gamut from cheap ''shwarma'' joints to five-star restaurants.

    Budget

    Cheap restaurants abound in the Adliya district.

  • '''Al-Abraaj''', Adliya St, Manama, Bahrain. Perfect introduction for non-Arab folks to become accustomed to the Middle Eastern hospitality charm. Food is generous and tasty, and primarily from Lebanese/Turkish and Persian cuisines. Good value at $2-4BD per head.
  • '''Al-Siraj'''. The second-best shwarma in Bahrain for only 300 fils.
  • Burjuman Coffee Shop. ulu Centre 2F. ain dishes BD1-2. The main selling point of this Filipino-run joint is its location right next to the SABTCO bus terminal, but the menu covers sandwiches, burgers, rice and noodles and portions are generous. Try the excellent fried ''hammour'' (local fish) with the fixings for BD2.

  • '''Habara Snacks & Fish''', Osama bin Zaid Ave, Adliya, tel 17 715 461. Great diner style cafe that cheerfully serves cheap fish and chips and other assorted snacks.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Lanterns''', PO Box 20416, Manama, Bahrain, tel 1759 0591/1807. An atmospheric Indian restaurant with great food and lovely decor next to Burgerland Roundabout in Budaiya.
  • '''Zahle''', Gulf Hotel, Al Juffair Street, Manama, tel +973 17 746 417/18. Serving impeccable Lebanese food with daily buffets and live entertainment.
  • '''Trader Vic's''', a Polynesian dining/drinking experience, located on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton.
  • '''Upstairs Downstairs''', a long time classic Bahrain restaurant. Smooth jazz band, music videos and great yet pricey food.
  • Drink

    Manama has a busy nightlife by Gulf standards, but most of it seems squarely aimed at beer-swilling expats watching football on the TV — don't expect any Dubai-style clubs here. The scene is very much also geared towards middle class Bahrainis and Saudis, and not super rich Arabs and European tourists as in the UAE. The popular nightlife districts are '''Adliya''', '''Hoora''' and '''Juffair'''. '''Business District''' nightlife is "less hygienic" if that's your thing.

  • Gold Club. Arabic night club featuring Russian girls doing their interpretation of traditional belly dancing.

  • Hard Rock Cafe. ttp://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/cafe.aspx?LocationID=2&MIBEnumID=3.

  • Harvesters. ing Faisal Highway. rowne Plaza. Very popular pseudo-British pub offering cold beer, pub grub and a Filipino band distinguished more by the singers' skimpy outfits than musical talent. Beers from BD2.5.

  • JJ's. l Bustan Hotel. The largest Irish pub in the city.

  • Queensbury Arms. Another great hot spot, great prices on drinks.

  • Sherlock Holmes. ulf Hotel. Mock-British pub.

  • Warbler's. Expat sports pub. Technically this is a private club, but the bouncers at the door seem more interested in keeping Arabs out than in checking dues cards.
  • Wrangler's. est Western Juffair Hotel. American-themed bar and dance club. Popular with expats and US sailors
  • Digger's. elmont Hotel. Australian-themed sports pub in the CBD. Popular with single male expats.

    Gay Scene

    Bahrain's gay scene is underground due to the conservative views of the police force, and small population - although Bahrainis themselves are far more liberal than Saudis, or even Qataris and Emiratis. Homosexuality, while generally frowned upon by poorer Bahrainis, is largely understood to exist in Bahrain by middle and upper class Bahrainis. Intellectuals, and young women in particular, often scope out gay friends, as they are considered more interesting and fashion-conscious than straight men. Parents also tolerate such friendships, knowing that no sexual relations can ensue between the two, as it may between a straight male and a young female. For tourist, however, deep friendships would be unlikely to forge.

    Most men arrange to meet online, or are coupled together by straight friends - and house parties tend to be the norm for homosexuals in Bahrain. Such parties also feature several women-friends, so that the party can be passed off as a normal one in the unlikely case that police were raid to the party. It is also common to see groups of gay friends together at one of Bahrain's bars, as it is in Dubai as well. Hate crimes by normal Bahrainis, even poorer ones, is much less likely than in neighboring countries, in part because of the governments strict laws against vigilantism.

    Be sure to practice safe sex if you choose to get involved. Although rare in Bahrain, HIV positive men, particular foreigners, are present.

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Bahrain International Hotel. O Box 3280, Manama, Bahrain. Three star hotel that is of average quality, but in a convenient location for travelers.

  • Awal Hotel. l Khalifa Rd, Manama 3252, Bahrain. Located in the main commercial & business district of the Kingdom of Bahrain, only 10 minutes drive from the International Airport and a short walking distance from the Bahrain seashore and the upcoming Financial harbor.

    Midrange

  • Golden Tulip Bahrain. ld Palace Rd | (Formerly Hilton Bahrain), Manama 1090. Standard hotel that has some travelers mentioning that it is in need of a renovation. While the rooms are clean and the staff are amiable, the dull facade and decor may be depressing to people who are lodgig here for more than a couple of days. One of the few redeeming qualities is that it has the only authentic Japanese restaurant in Bahrain.

  • Ramada Bahrain. uilding 88 Road 351 Block 326 | Adliya, Bani Otbah Ave, Manama. Rooms are of a good size and the adjoining bathrooms are clean and spacious. The hotel provides airport transfers free of charge if you email in advance. Has pool on site but the cleanliness of the pool is questionable.

    Splurge

  • Crowne Plaza Bahrain. ing Faisal Highway. iplomatic Quarter. 973-17-531122. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/mnaba. D100. Located a few km east of the city center on the road to the airport, the Crowne Plaza (formerly Holiday Inn) is a reasonably gracefully aging sprawling low-rise complex. The Astroturf-surrounded pool is rather depressing, and the hotel's main draw seems to be the popular ''Harvesters'' pub (see Drink). Largish gym (men and women have separate facilities), decent breakfast, service can be mixed.

  • Banyan Tree Al Areen. l Areen | PO BOX 75055, Manama 18108. Nothing short of sheer luxury, the Banyan resort impresses with its attention to detail and opulent surrondings. Careful thought goes into the visitor's stay, such as beds covered with rose petals spelling 'Welcome to the Banyan Tree'. The staff are welcoming and attentive, without being overwhelming, and the food is absolutely first class.

  • Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. O Box 55577, Manama, Bahrain. Featuring 7 stories of luxurious rooms all with a modern design. The Club Lounge restaurant features five different food presentations a day, and includes an American breakfast. Stunning views of the Arabian Gulf from the rooms are all included in the room rate.

    Get out

  • Saudi Arabia is just across the Causeway — if you have the visa, of course.