Understanding:
Bahrain, a cluster of 33 islands nestled in the Persian Gulf, boasts a rich historical heritage dating back to ~2800 BCE. Over the ages, the island has been a magnet for several civilisations, each leaving a mark on its cultural landscape. Among the earliest inhabitants were the Dilmun people, from whom today’s Bahrainis are said to be descendants.
Later on, the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Persians would come here, mainly for trading purposes. The constant struggle for the archipelago led to the construction of castles and forts. The Riffa, Arad and Bahrain forts are well preserved overall and can be visited today. It was no earlier than the 19th century that Bahrain became a protectorate of Britain, remaining so until its independence, in 1971.
Much alike neighbouring nations, the archipelago possesses abundant oil and gas fields that play an important part in the country’s economy. However, in recent years they’ve been trying to diversify their income with banking and tourism. While no longer being a significant activity in Bahrain, pearling has historically been profitable here and drove the economy for centuries. The Pearling Path in Muharraq is a great experience to delve into the history and dynamics of this activity in Bahrain.
Geography:
A tiny country in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain faces Saudi Arabia on the south and western fronts, Qatar on the eastern side, and Iran on the north. It comprises a total area of 780km2, distributed by 33 islands, the biggest of which is called Bahrain. The landscape is predominantly arid, with vast desert plains and little room for agriculture.
The country has a desert climate, with scorching summers and mild winters. From June to September, is not unusual to see temperatures rising above 40ºC during the day. Precipitation is low, with rare and short-lived showers during the Winter months.
Basic Info:
- Capital: Manama
- Population: 1.46 million (2021 estimate)
- Language: Arabic
- Religion: 70% Islam, 14% Christianity; 10% Hinduism; 6% others
- Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD). As of February 2024:
- 1 EUR = 0,4 BHD
- 1 USD = 0,38 BHD
- Plugs: type G (similar to the UK)
When to go:
The best time to visit Bahrain are the cooler months, between November and March. During these months, the weather is more pleasant and outdoor activities are more enjoyable. Additionally, this period coincides with cultural events and festivals, providing visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Bahraini traditions and customs.
During Summer, the weather can be unbearably hot but flight and accommodation costs will be lower, thus providing cheaper vacations. It is however necessary to be prepared for the scorching heat that blazes the country during these months.
We visited in October, when the weather is transitioning from the intense heat of summer to the cooler months. During this shoulder season, we found temperatures averaging ~35ºC during the day. Evenings were pleasantly warm, perfect for night-out dinners and drinks.
Visa policy (simplified):
Visitors from most countries can get a visa on arrival, depending on certain personal conditions that can be consulted here. We chose to apply for the eVisa to make sure we had a smooth and quick arrival in Bahrain.
Budget:
The oil-rich nations of the Gulf are usually considered expensive, but this doesn’t have to be true. Of course wallets differ, but it is completely possible to spend your holidays in Bahrain for a completely acceptable amount of cash.
Regarding flights, you’re likely to find the best deals with Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa if you live in Europe like us. We spent around 650€ for a multi-city flight with Turkish Airlines. Our plan involved visiting both Bahrain and Kuwait, so we booked an outgoing flight to Manama and a return from Kuwait City. We booked the cheapest direct flight between Manama and Kuwait City with Gulf Air (~180€), but Kuwait Air and Jazeera Air also fly this route and may have better deals for your dates.
Accommodation is not a problem in Bahrain, as a double room in a budget hotel usually costs between 40-70€/night, and in a midrange hotel about 70-150€/night. We found a nice deal on a very decent hotel with a rooftop pool in the periphery of Manama (Al-Seef neighbourhood), where we booked a double room for ~65€/night (breakfast not included).
Restaurants are also not expensive, with a budget meal averaging 5-10€. Midrange diners usually cost between 10-30€/person. The Adliya neighbourhood, in southern Manama, is very well known for its bistros.
Public transport is also cheap, with bus tickets in Manama costing 0,3BHD as of 2023. Taxis and Ubers are widely available and relatively cheap, reflecting the low prices of gas in the country.
Money:
Card terminals are widely available, making pre-paid cards such as Revolut very handy for processing transactions without fees. ATMs can be found anywhere in the cities. Nevertheless, it’s useful to keep a certain amount of BHD in your wallet for the rare occasion where a card terminal is not available, or to buy bus tickets.
SIM cards:
The major telecom providers in Bahrain are Batelco, Zain, and Viva. We can obtain prepaid SIM cards from the respective telecom company’s stores, kiosks at the airport, convenience stores, or authorised retailers throughout Bahrain.
Alternatively, you may buy an eSIM plan from an app such as Airalo, for instance, which we occasionally use. In Bahrain we relied on free Wi-Fi hotspots, which are frequently available in hotels and restaurants.
What to wear:
Bahrain has a predominantly Muslim population, so visitors are advised to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. In such places, shorts are not allowed for men, and Abayas (long black dresses covering the head) are appropriate for women. Coverings are available at the entrance of mosques for both sexes.
While wandering the streets, women do not need to cover their heads: wearing a long dress or loose-fitting clothing is considered appropriate and is not frowned upon. The weather is usually scorching hot so cotton clothing, a hat and sunscreen are advised.
Safety:
The last time Bahrain saw any public unrest was in 2011, during the Arab Spring. It is considered to be a very safe country with a low crime rate, and where tourists rarely encounter any issues. We walked everywhere, rode public buses and taxis and always felt safe, even at night.
Driving in Bahrain is on the right side, and no difficulties should be experienced. Locals drive cautiously and usually well. Roads and highways are generally well maintained.
Tipping:
Just like in other Middle East countries, tipping is not always customary but usually appreciated.
In restaurants, a tip of 10% of the total bill amount is well accepted (but not mandatory) if a service charge is not included. In hotels, small tips are appreciated for bellboys and housekeeping. When engaging in private drivers or tours, a tip of around 10% of the total value is expected.
And there you have all the main things you need to be aware of when visiting Bahrain. Looking for an in-depth look into the country? You may want to check our 4-day comprehensive itinerary here.