Manama Travelers Recommend

From burnished desert forts to thrilling watersports, it’s easy to fill three days in Manama. Snorkel for pearls, visit prehistoric archaeological sites, explore wind tower houses, and relax on the sands and sightseeing cruises. Here’s how to plan a perfect 3-day stay in Bahrain’s capital.

Day 1: See the City and Desert Sights

Devote today to Manama’s and Bahrain’s sights, choosing from full- or half-day tours that give you a rounded picture of the country’s past and culture all with a guide’s commentary and convenient return transportation. City tours typically cover landmarks such as the Bahrain World Trade Centre—famous for its exterior wind turbines—Al-Fateh Mosque, and Bahrain National Museum, which charts the region’s 6,000-year-old history. 

This afternoon, delve into the desert on a half-day tour or the second leg of a day trip. Most tours whisk you round sights such as the Tree of Life—a centuries-old desert acacia tree—before stopping at Bahrain’s first oil well, a camel farm, and the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit. 

Back in Manama later, perhaps finish with a cruise along the coast or browse Manama souk before dining out in the city’s lively Adliya or Seef neighborhoods.

Day 2: Historical Trails and Treasures

The ancient Dilmun civilization thrived in Bahrain in prehistoric times, and some of its relics lie near Manama. Book a door-to-door tour to benefit from a guide’s insight and avoid the hassles of self-drive. Half-day trips usually include Bahrain Fort—built on the old Dilmun capital—Barbar, home to crumbled Dilmun temples; and Saar’s and Riffa’s Dilmun tombs. 

For more recent history, take a tour of Muharraq Island, formerly Bahrain’s capital. Discover its wind-tower houses, 15th-century Arad fort, and other highlights, all as a guide details their architecture and past.  Alternatively, consider a tour focused on Bahrain’s ancient pearling heritage. See Arabian dhow boats once used for pearl hunting at Muharraq’s dhow-building yard, and explore a pearl merchant’s and pearl diver’s house to learn about their trades. 

Day 3: Sailing, Sports, and Sands

Now’s the time to enjoy Manama’s sands and sports. Hit the beach, take a morning horseback ride in the desert, or book a sightseeing cruise around Muharraq to see its dhow yards, Arad Fort, and Manama’s skyline in the distance.

Adventurous types might prefer a snorkel or diving experience with a twist—hunting for Bahrain’s treasured pearls. With instructors at hand, opt to snorkel or scuba dive for oysters from the seabed before learning to open them in the hope of finding pearls. 

If you have any energy left this afternoon, fly over the waves on a parasail or try your hand at a variety of ocean-going adventures. Book a watersports package that provides a taster of everything from Jet Ski sessions to flyboarding, underwater boarding, and wake surfing. 

If you missed horse-riding earlier today, sign up for a desert sunset ride. Or, end your stay in Bahrain with a motorboat excursion around the Amwaj Islands as night falls and Manama’s lights twinkle on the horizon.

Two days in Manama provides plenty of opportunity to see the city’s highlights, embark on a desert expedition, and spend time out on the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Read on for our tips on how to get the most out of 48 hours in the Bahraini capital. 

Day 1: The Full Manama

**Morning:**From the giant Al-Fateh Mosque to the Bahrain National Museum and twin-towered World Trade Centre, Manama offers a diverse lineup of sights. Cover as many as possible in a limited time on a half- or full-day tour, with door-to-door transport and a guide for information. Consider a private tour by luxury minivan or 4WD for extra comfort and the chance to tailor your sightseeing to your tastes.

**Afternoon:**If you’re not on a full-day tour, earmark this afternoon to hit the ocean. Private cruises, a great way to go if you’re traveling in a group, deliver wide-screen views of Manama’s skyline. Thrill seekers, meanwhile, might prefer a water-sports experience that includes flyboarding, underwater boarding, Jet Skiing, and wakeboarding, all in one outing. 

**Night:**Take advantage of evening’s cooler temperatures by staying out-of-doors. Enjoy a horseback ride in the desert dusk, delve into Manama souk, and finish with dinner at one of the city’s smart beach hotels.

Day 2: History and Fun

**Morning:**Bahrain’s multifaceted history encompasses its ancient Dilmun civilization, Portuguese occupation, and a rich pearl-trading heritage. Delve into the city’s fascinating past on a tour in and around Manama, viewing Dilmun remnants in the desert, admiring Portuguese-built Bahrain Fort, and exploring the Arabian dhow boatyards and pearl merchants’ houses of Muharraq island—Bahrain’s former capital.

**Afternoon:**You can’t visit Manama without experiencing the desert, so head off on a half-day tour to view the Tree of Life—a lone tree sprouting mysteriously from the sands—a camel farm, and Bahrain’s Grand Prix circuit. Otherwise, dial up the fun by booking a parasailing session to swoop high above the waves of the Arabian Gulf.

**Night:**Finish your stay with a motorboat jaunt around the Amwaj Islands, human-made islets off Manama’s northern coast. Absorb the sea breezes and Manama and sunset views as you carve through the waves, making for a memorable last evening.

The capital of the Arabian Gulf state of Bahrain, Manama has more than enough to keep you entertained for a day. Occupying Bahrain island’s northeastern tip, its attractions span everything from futuristic skyscrapers and traditional souks to desert wonders and extreme water sports. Here’s how to enjoy a memorable day in the city.

Morning: Get to Know the City

Start by discovering Manama on a morning city tour—its sights are widely dispersed, and with public transport limited, a tour is the easiest way to explore without a rental car or long walks in the heat. Tours typically cover the modern Al-Fateh Mosque, 16th-century Bahrain Fort, Bahrain National Museum, the old Muharraq Souk, and other highlights. If you fancy traveling in style and cherry-picking the sights, opt for a half- or full-day private tour with a flexible itinerary that covers the main landmarks in the comfort of a private, deluxe 4WD or minivan.

Afternoon: Delve into the Desert or the Gulf

After lunch, swap the city for the desert. Many desert tours include the Tree of Life—a 400-year-old acacia that sprouts from the arid expanses—Al-Areen Wildlife Park, and the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit, all with handy round-trip transport and a guide for information and context. Alternatively, escape the afternoon heat by hitting the Arabian Gulf. Fly high on a parasail, or try some exhilarating water sports with packages that include flyboarding, wake surfing, towable tubes, and the hot new sport of underwater boarding. For something more relaxing, admire Manama’s skyline on a cruise along the coast, or ride a motorboat around the Amwaj Islands—a cluster of artificial islets just offshore.

Evening: Sea, Sunset, and Sands

As dusk falls, make the most of the cool evening temperatures by enjoying more outdoor pursuits. Experience sunset in the desert on a horseback ride past Bahrain Fort, or opt for an evening motorboat trip to the Amwaj archipelago. Perhaps finish with a spell of souvenir hunting at Manama souk before relaxing over dinner at a hotel restaurant by the water’s edge.