Bahrain is a small island country situated near the western shores of the Arabian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia to the west and Qatar to the south-east. Comprising 33 islands, Bahrain offers a fascinating blend of eastern and western cultures. Here you’ll find high-rise buildings and more traditional dwellings and experience ancient traditions and see historical sites, and also witness modern developments and cosmopolitan living. All of this in a country that has been one of the Gulf’s most important crossroads for more than 4 000 years.

The good news for visitors is that Bahrain generally experiences a warm climate. In winter, which occurs from December to March, temperatures range between 10 and 20°C. In summer, which stretches from June to April, the temperatures hit between During the summer months, stretching from April to October, afternoon average around 37 to -40°C

Manama

Manama is the cosmopolitan capital city in the north of Bahrain and has an appealing way of life. Attractions include the Bahrain National Museum, the Manama Souk and the waterpark, amongst others.

Things to do in Manama

You’ll find a range of things to do in Manama, whether you’re looking to spend a day browsing the souks or soaking up some of the culture in the region. If you’re with the family, you might also want to spend the day at the waterpark.

Bahrain National Museum

The national museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city, if not the most popular. There are some real highlights in the collection, such as a satellite photo that takes up a lot of the ground floor, some archaeological finds from the ancient trading civilisation Dilmun and the Hall of Graves, Customs and Tradition. You’ll also see contemporary art and scultures exhibitions in the gallery spaces.

Manama Souk

The Manama Souk, in the streets behind Bab Al Bahrain, is the city’s old bazaar. There are a host of items to browse through, from handwoven fabrics to nuts and spices and more. Some of the main parts of the bazaar are the Kingdom of Perfumes, the Gold Souk and the World of Herbs. 

Wahooo! Waterpark

The Wahooo! Waterpark covers a sizable 15 000 square metres to offer families an action-packed day of aqua enjoyment. There are rides to suit all, from the visitor who wants to take it easy in the Lazy River to the thrillseekers who want to jump on the Master Blaster and other slides that get the adrenaline pumping. Board the moored schooner and you can see out over the whole park.

Amwaj Islands

Amwaj Islands is a wonderful new waterside development encompassing 30 million sq.ft of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This group of  man made Islands sits to the north east of the Bahraini capital, Manama, and is also located near the coast of Muharraq Island.

Amwaj Islands are a pioneering project in Bahrain and have introduced a range of new engineering technologies to the region. The project is the first to offer 100% freehold land ownership to expatriates living in the Kingdom of Bahrain and has also made more waterfront property available. This style of property is in low supply in Bahrain.

Business in Manama

Bahrain is a good place for business operations, thanks to the presence of three different free zones (FZs). These zones provide the businesses that choose to operate within them numerous benefits such as low or zero taxation or customs duties and lower utilities and rental costs. These zones provide companies with access to other international markets and are particularly good for companies whose operations rely heavily on importing or exporting goods.

Major free zones in the area include Bahrain International Investment Park and Bahrain Logistics Zone. Both of these are in Al Hidd, which is 20 minutes away from the capital. As well as being an airport, Bahrain International Airport is also a free zone and is located a little over four miles from Manama, in Muharraq.