Manama
Discover Manama
Manama (Arabic: المنامة al-Manāma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with its 700,000 people representing nearly half the country's population. Overshadowed by its brash Gulf neighbors Dubai and Qatar, it's often overlooked as a travel destination, but this clean, modern and safe city offers a quieter, gentler introduction to the Gulf way of life. Manama emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based on the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.
What to Experience in Manama
Taste of Manama...
Restaurants in Manama run the gamut from cheap shawarma joints to 5-star restaurants. In addition to the places listed in this section, hotels often have one or several restaurants and bars. Manama has a busy nightlife by Gulf standards. The main districts are Adliya, Hoora, Juffair and Business District. Many places to drink are in hotels (see the Sleep section below). Manama and Bahrain in general is a quite safe place, but while violent crime is rare, pickpocketing, bag snatching and burglaries aren't unheard of. As of 2024 travel advisories also warn of possible terrorist attacks including bombings in public places. Visitors are required to respect Islamic customs and laws when it comes to social relations, clothing, behaviour and such. Unlike many other countries in the region, alcohol isn't outlawed - as long as consumption happens on private premises such as nightclubs away from the public eye. National cell operators Bateco, STC and Zain have 5G coverage in most of the city. Bahrain Island is about 50 km north to south and 20 km west to east. As such practically anywhere in the country connected with a road can be visited as a day or half-day trip, especially if you have a car. The bus network is also quite dense in the north but unsurprisingly less so in the less populated Southern Governorate.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Manama into what it is today.
The Bahrain Island has been inhabited since around 3000 BC, and has been an important trading point ever since. Back then, it was the site of the Dilmun civilization, of which world heritage listed burial mounds remain, mainly around the city of A'ali just southwest of Manama. In the several millennia that followed, the island went by the names of Awal, Mishmahig and Tylos and was ruled by several empires from around 700 BC onwards: the Assyrian, Babylonian, and different Persian empires. The inhabitants converted to Islam in 628, and towards the end of the 7th century the first Khamis Mosque was built at the western outskirts of today's Manama. The mosque that today stands there is the third. The first records of a town by the name Manama is in a manuscript from 1345. Around that time, the island was a tributary of the Kingdom of Hormuz and the island's capital Bilad Al Qadeem (today a suburb of Manama) had become a centre of religious scholarship and pearl fishing. Buildings related to pearling in the adjacent island city of Muharraq comprise another of the country's three world heritage sites. In 1521, the Portuguese who at the time controlled the spice trade along the Cape Route took possession of the island and set up a fort at the western outskirts of present-day Manama. The Portuguese fort, going by the name Qal'at al-Bahrain is the third world heritage site in Bahrain, and the only one administratively in Manama....
Climate
Sitting on the Persian Gulf right next to the Arabian peninsula, unsurprisingly Manama - and Bahrain in general - has an arid climate, with little rain (most of it falling during the winter months) and high temperatures during much of the year. During the summer daytime highs around +40°C can be expected, during the winter the mercury generally approaches +20°C. The Bahrain Island has been inhabited since around 3000 BC, and has been an important trading point ever since. Back then, it was the site of the Dilmun civilization, of which world heritage listed burial mounds remain, mainly around the city of A'ali just southwest of Manama. In the several millennia that followed, the island went by the names of Awal, Mishmahig and Tylos and was ruled by several empires from around 700 BC onwards: the Assyrian, Babylonian, and different Persian empires.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAll roads in Bahrain lead to Manama, so see the main Bahrain article for details. 26.2697450.626281 Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is in the adjacent city of Muharraq. From the airport you can get to Manama bus terminal by city bus lines A1 (continues to the University), A2 (continues to Isa), 10 and 11 (circular lines stopping at various points in Manama and Muharraq). Other options are taxi or rental car. 26.23150.57072 Manama Terminal is the main bus station with connections from all over Bahrain. The website of the Bahrain Public Transport Company has schedules, route maps, fares and a route planner. Bahrain Public Transport operate a network of bus routes across the city, with route A1 linking the airport and Manama every 20 minutes....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Bahrain Public Transport operate a network of bus routes across the city, with route A1 linking the airport and Manama every 20 minutes. As of November 2024, a paper single ticket bought on the bus costs 300 fils, or there is a "pay as you go" option using a Go Card (card price 500 fils, sold at ticket machines including at the airport, then load with credit up to BD 50 maximum, but note that credit you load is not refundable) which reduces the fare for a single trip to 250 fils and offers a daily cap of 600 fils. Transfers are not offered (a fare is charged on each bus), and there are no discounts for children, students or elderly people. Weekly passes (BD 3) and "monthly" 28-day passes (BD 12) are available, but these can only be issued on a Personalised Go Card sold at bus terminal ticket offices, not the anonymous card sold at ticket machines. Taxis are expensive. Extra charges are added to fares starting from the airport (BD 2) and any hotel (BD 1).
Where to Stay
Manama and Bahrain in general is a quite safe place, but while violent crime is rare, pickpocketing, bag snatching and burglaries aren't unheard of. As of 2024 travel advisories also warn of possible terrorist attacks including bombings in public places. Visitors are required to respect Islamic customs and laws when it comes to social relations, clothing, behaviour and such. Unlike many other countries in the region, alcohol isn't outlawed - as long as consumption happens on private premises such as nightclubs away from the public eye. National cell operators Bateco, STC and Zain have 5G coverage in most of the city. Bahrain Island is about 50 km north to south and 20 km west to east. As such practically anywhere in the country connected with a road can be visited as a day or half-day trip, especially if you have a car. The bus network is also quite dense in the north but unsurprisingly less so in the less populated Southern Governorate.
Money & Budget
Restaurants in Manama run the gamut from cheap shawarma joints to 5-star restaurants. In addition to the places listed in this section, hotels often have one or several restaurants and bars. Manama has a busy nightlife by Gulf standards. The main districts are Adliya, Hoora, Juffair and Business District. Many places to drink are in hotels (see the Sleep section below). Manama and Bahrain in general is a quite safe place, but while violent crime is rare, pickpocketing, bag snatching and burglaries aren't unheard of. As of 2024 travel advisories also warn of possible terrorist attacks including bombings in public places. Visitors are required to respect Islamic customs and laws when it comes to social relations, clothing, behaviour and such.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Manama and Bahrain in general is a quite safe place, but while violent crime is rare, pickpocketing, bag snatching and burglaries aren't unheard of. As of 2024 travel advisories also warn of possible terrorist attacks including bombings in public places. Visitors are required to respect Islamic customs and laws when it comes to social relations, clothing, behaviour and such. Unlike many other countries in the region, alcohol isn't outlawed - as long as consumption happens on private premises such as nightclubs away from the public eye. National cell operators Bateco, STC and Zain have 5G coverage in most of the city. Bahrain Island is about 50 km north to south and 20 km west to east. As such practically anywhere in the country connected with a road can be visited as a day or half-day trip, especially if you have a car. The bus network is also quite dense in the north but unsurprisingly less so in the less populated Southern Governorate.
Glimpses of Manama
city buildings beside body of water under blue sky
buildings at night
skyscraper view from body of water
a very tall building with a purple light on it's side
Bahrain at Night
Modern skyline of Manama, Bahrain at sunset, featuring the iconic Bahrain World Trade Center with its wind turbines and futuristic architecture.
a boat in a body of water with a city in the background
Modern skyscrapers rise against a brilliant blue sky.
A creek in Manama, Bahrain
a tall red building with a clock on the top of it
city buildings beside body of water under blue sky
buildings at night
skyscraper view from body of water