“The Pearl of the Gulf” - Bahrain - was once conquered by the Portuguese and colonized by the British. Rich in history and culture, Bahrain has a reputation for being more cosmopolitan and liberal than other countries in the Middle East, especially after the Formula One Grand Prix began in April 2004. The event draws more than two million visitors a year from all over the world. And when booking a flight to Bahrain bear this in mind as flights do get booked well in advance.
Adding to its mystique is a history that dates back five thousand years to the ancient civilization of Dilmun, and the landscape is still dominated by settlements, temples and thousands of burial mounds left behind by its inhabitants.
The first stop off your Bahrain flight will undoubtedly be to its capital, Manama. This buzzing financial hub is full of restaurants, shopping malls and high rises dramatically juxtaposed beside the sea. If you want to experience real Arabian culture then visit the souk. There, vendors sell a dizzying array of merchandise from Persian carpets and jewelry to frankincense and tea.
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The most pleasant time of year in Bahrain is during spring or autumn when sunshine is virtually guaranteed, along with warm temperatures tempered by soft breezes. Summers can be very hot and humid, though the humidity is modified at the end of the season when a dry northwesterly wind blows, known locally as the "Al Barah". Winter is cooler and influenced by low-pressure systems, which bring rainfall. Average rainfall is low, but most of it falls in winter.
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Like most countries in the Arabian Peninsula, Bahrain gets extremely hot and humid in summer and milder in winter.
Peak Season:
April is the busiest time in Bahrain – when the Formula One Grand Prix takes place. Hotels, restaurants and flights are full and traffic can get annoying. December is also high season when schools are out and many visitors come from other Arab countries to visit. In terms of weather, the best time to visit would be from April to early June when the temperature’s around 18 degrees Celsius.
Off Season:
It’s best to avoid visiting in summer from late June to late August when temperatures can reach a scorching 45 degrees Celsius with 100 per cent humidity. Mid-September to mid-December is off season but hotels are cheaper and the weather is milder with temperatures ranging anywhere from 21 degrees (September to October) to 10 degrees Celsius (December).
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The best way to get around is by car and renting one is easy but you will need an international driving permit to do so. Most of the major car rental agencies are present at the airport or at bigger hotels.
When the weather’s nice you can walk around parts of the island especially by the seaside where they have a pedestrian walkway. But to get to the desert and archaeological sites you’ll need a car.
Bus: Bahrain has a comfortable and reliable bus service that goes around the island.
Taxis: Metered taxis are readily available throughout the island. You can even negotiate a daily rate and have the taxi drive you around.
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- Bahrain is renowned for its 24-carat gold and its pearls. So make sure you plan a visit to the souk in the heart of Manama where you’ll find a selection of jewellers selling beautiful, intricate designs. But remember to haggle.
- Drive to the desert and visit the “Tree of Life”, one of the natural wonders of the world. It’s a 400-year-old mesquite tree that stands alone in the middle of the desert; its water source remains a mystery. While in the desert make your way to the Bahrain Formula One Race Track and then on your way back stop by the Riffa Golf Course for a drink at the bar.
- Start by learning a little about Bahrain’s 7,000 year-old history at the National Museum followed by a tour of the ancient archeological sites on the island: Qal'at Al-Bahrain (Portuguese Fort) which dates back to 2800 BC and is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Barbar Temple - a complex of three 2nd and 3rd millennium BC temples and the Royal Tombs. Then head to Beit Al-Qur'an, a cultural institution housing an impressive collection of historic Koranic manuscripts from various parts of the Islamic world, including China and Spain.
- Spend the day shopping in the Seef Area and visit the two largest malls on the island: Al Aali Mall and Seef Mall. The former has a good selection of exclusive high-end stores in an Arabian setting while the latter has many high street brands, cinemas and a food court.
- Never been pearl diving before? Bahrain has some of the world’s best pearls hidden under its shores. The PADI centre offers a short pearl diving course that includes a day trip out to sea diving for pearls – which you get to keep of course.
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All persons who wish to enter Bahrain need a visa except citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). Visas are relatively easy to obtain on arrival and are extendable. All visitors also require a passport valid for at least six months, and tickets or documentation for return or onward travel.
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British nationals require a passport and an eVisa, obtainable via the www.evisa.gov.bh prior to their visit, or a multiple-entry three-month tourist or business visa obtainable on arrival (maximum stay four weeks per visit).
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