museum set up to preserve, increase and disseminate knowledge of the artistic, natural and cultural history of Bahrain; situated between the cities of Manama and Muharraq; displays archaeological artefacts, organises exhibitions etc
Wildlife sanctuary where the Arabian oryx and the Reem gazelle can be seen
Archipelago of around 25 small limestone islands in the Gulf of Bahrain; many species of birds breed here; on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
Narrow, shallow, sheltered bay near the northeast corner of Bahrain Island; site for migratory waterfowl; on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
fine example of traditional Bahraini architecture; this web page gives details about the house, its history, floor plan, visiting hours etc
Brief descriptions of Dilmun excavation site at Saar, Barbar temple, King Fahad Causeway, Jebel Dukhan or Mountain of Smoke, Muharraq, Oil Museum, Socotra cormorant breeding colony etc
one of the important historical forts of Bahrain; this web page has details about its location, history, and visiting times
Brief descriptions of: Bab Al Bahrain, National Museum, Tree of Life, A'ali burial mounds, Bahrain Fort, Al Areen Wildlife Park, Arad Fort, Riffa Fort, house of Shaikh Isa bin Ali, Beit Al Jasra, Beit Al Siyadi, Pearl Monument, etc
Manama is the very new capital of a very old place. Many of the newer hotels and official buildings along the northern edge of the city sit on reclaimed land, while there are neighbourhoods a few blocks inland that have changed little in the last 50 years. Manama is located at the north-eastern tip of Bahrain Island.
The city's major attraction is the National Museum, a modern building with excellent exhibits well-marked in both Arabic and English. The museum covers 7000 years of Bahrain's history, including its many grave mounds and temples; its Dilmun, Tylos and Islamic periods; and Arabic writing and calligraphy. Next to the museum's parking lot is a number of reconstructed traditional buildings and boats. Even if you're not an aficionado of Islamic calligraphy, plan on hitting Beit Al-Qur'an, a museum and research center downtown. Calligraphy is central to Muslim culture and is closely connected to religious life. The centrepiece of the museum is its large collection of Korans, some dating from the 7th century. You'll need a magnifying glass to read the Koranic verses written on a grain of rice.
Just south of Government Ave is the souk, or marketplace. Electronic gear, gold and women's clothing seem to be the main stock in trade at the souk, but in the great tradition of Middle Eastern bazaars almost anything can be found if you look long and hard enough. The backstreets of the souk are great places to wander even if you're not in the market to buy.
The Al-Fatih Mosque offers non-Muslim visitors a rare opportunity to enter a mosque. You can't miss it: large enough to hold 7000 worshippers, it's the largest building in the country.
Central Manama is about 10km (6mi) west of Bahrain International Airport and is accessible by bus.
Also known as the Portuguese Fort, Qal'at Al-Bahrain is the country's main archaeological site. Beginning in the 1950s, excavations revealed the fort to be sitting on a tell, a hill formed from the rubble of previous cities. In all, seven layers of occupation were discovered, the earliest dating from 2800 BC. There are structures from different phases of the city's past, including its Dilmun, Assyrian and Portuguese eras, and the dig is on-going. The site is about 5km (3mi) west of Manama and is best reached by car or taxi, as buses don't get very close.
The Ad-Diraz Temple is a small second millennium Dilmun site. Its centrepiece is the stone base of what was probably an altar, surrounded by the bases of many columns. The site is about 5km (3mi) west of Manama and accessible by bus. Barbar is a complex of three 2nd and 3rd millennium BC temples, probably dedicated to Enki, the God of Wisdom and the Sweet Waters under the Earth. Walkways give excellent views of the excavated complex, which is about 10km (6mi) west of Manama. The site is a 20 to 30 minute walk west from the bus stop at the Ad-Diraz Temple.
This small park is a conservation area for many of Arabia's indigenous species, including the Arabian oryx. You can also see zebras and other animals that have been introduced to the island from elsewhere. The nearest bus drop-off is Az Zallaq, about 5km (3mi) north of the wildlife sanctuary and 25km (16mi) south-west of Manama.
Muharraq has been spared much of the modernising that's transformed Manama in recent years. Its souk is funkier and even more interesting than the one in the capital. There are a couple of well-preserved traditional houses, the Bait Shaikh Isa Bin and the Bait Seyadi, both dating from the early 19th century. Bait Shaikh Isa Bin features beautiful plaster work and carved doors and has a working wind tower - an ingenious structure designed to direct the slightest breeze into the interior.
Put on your best smile and visit the 16th century Abu Mahir Fort, where if you ask nicely your escort might let you climb the watchtower and take in the excellent view of the Manama skyline. Its sister fort, the Qal'at Arad, also dates from the Portuguese era and has been beautifully restored in places. The small dhow building yard is a good spot to see Bahrainis at work on their traditional fishing boats. Buses run regularly between Muharraq and Manama. Muharraq is a few kilometres east of Manama and is accessible by bus.
The Royal Tombs are the largest and most impressive of Bahrain's 85,000 burial mounds. Located in the village of A'ali, about 15km (9mi) south-west of Manama, the tombs may or may not have been the final resting places of kings, but they're definitely large: up to 15m (50ft) high and 45m (150ft) in diameter. A'ali is also the home of Bahrain's best-known pottery workshop, and many fine pieces are available for purchase. Buses connect A'ali and Manama.
This small village is famous for its weavers, whose cloth comes in many different patterns and can be bought at their shacks. The shacks are located a few hundred metres outside of the village proper - a subtle indication that visitors are welcome to drop in on the weavers but not on the villagers. The shack across the road from the cemetery is the one where most visitors go to see demonstrations of weaving and to buy cloth. To reach the village, located about 10km (6mi) west of Manama, take a bus from the capital to the Ad-Diraz Temple and walk the remaining few hundred metres.