Some people might not have ever heard of this island country in the Middle East, and if you haven’t, it’s worth learning about!
Despite the reputation that Middle Eastern countries aren’t safe, Bahrain actually has very low crime rates, especially violent crimes, so it’s definitely a safe place to travel, even for women traveling by themselves.
Manama, the capital city, is a really relaxed yet cosmopolitan place and is the perfect blend of modernity and desert living.
So, if you’re keen to try somewhere new and a little out there, Bahrain is the perfect place to go!
What to Do
The first thing to note is that Bahrain probably isn’t a place you’re going to want to go to in the summer between the extreme heat and the desert winds in the summer months.
But, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, Bahrain is perfect since it stays pleasantly at 60-70 F, and the water is always warm enough to swim in the winter!
Since Bahrain is an island, there are plenty of beaches to visit all around it. One of the best ones is Jazair Beach where you enjoy snorkeling, sailing small boats, all without huge crowds since it’s a little over 30 minutes away from Manama.
If you want a really cool beach experience, you have to go to Jarada Beach which is actually just a giant sand dune! Since it is a sand dune, you can only get there by boat, which you can get through a tour company or one of the municipal boats that go there from Coral Bay in Manama. But, either way, you really need to check out the stunning waters and this one of a kind beach.
While you’re in the capital, you have to check out all the Muslim architecture and buildings, especially the Al Fateh Grand Mosque. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, with a capacity of over 7,000 people. It also has the largest fiberglass dome in the world!
It’s definitely worth it to book a tour but make sure that you wear very modest clothing as to respect the space.
Another must-see place is Beit Al Quran, which literally means “House of Quran” in Arabic. This is a great place to learn more about Islam, as they have over 50,000 books and manuscripts on the religion in all languages!
To get a better idea of the history of Bahrain, especially the ancient civilizations that were once there like the Dilmun, you have to go to the Bahrain National Museum. There you will find artifacts, a history of the land and its people over the last 6,000 years, and more.
Dining
If you want classic Middle Eastern dishes served beautifully, you have to go to Aroma Cafe. With a variety of kebabs, traditional spices, along with neutral international dishes, this is a place everyone can agree on.
If you’re looking for more of a street food vibe, go to Just Felafel. There you can get traditional Bahrain falafel with chickpeas and fava beans, shwarma, or a combination of both called shwafel.
