Manama Hotels

The Manama Rundown

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a mini exemplar of the Persian Gulf’s collective aspirational bravado. The petite fiefdom evinces all the region’s ambitious, brash plans for the future, exultant oil wealth and, indeed, complex contradictions. Mass land reclamation, frantic construction, bold mega-projects and a considerable expat workforce at both ends of the economic spectrum: like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain has all the telltale marks of life in the new Arabian Peninsula.

Yet another Kingdom sets the pace in Bahrain. The loom of Saudi Arabia is impossible to ignore, most of all for the house of Khalifa. The regent family of Bahrain operates, in many regards, at the behest of the Saudis and, indeed, the economy of the pocket monarchy is inordinately dependent on the colossal oil exporter across the King Fahd Causeway.

Come to Manama, the capital of Bahrain, however, and other facets of the toy kingdom emerge. Alcohol is legal in the country, which makes Manama a vibrant regional hub in more ways than one. Moreover, despite a sharply critical Human Rights Watch report card in the wake of volatile political protests in early 2011, Bahrain is one of the most tolerant Muslim nations in the Middle East. This distills most prominently in Manama, where expats and native Bahrainis enjoy a plush quality of life (perhaps at the expense of poor migrant workers from South Asia, however). Amid the cranes and shiny new skyscrapers, authenticity lurks in the form of traditional architecture, UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites, ancient burial mounds and still-active pockets of the nation’s venerable pearl trade - all easily accessible from lively Manama.

Manama’s Top 10

Manama Local

Manama is the capital of a country not much bigger than Merseyside and with less people to boot. As such, Manama local is almost akin to Bahrain local and day trips outside of the city are requisite. If you have the visa for it, Saudi Arabia is a short drive away over the 25 km-long King Fahd Causeway. Alas, an oft-proposed, world record 40 km-long link between Bahrain and Qatar is perpetually on hold. Until the mega-project is built, visitors can take the circuitous route to Doha through Saudi Arabia.

Adliya is a bustling commercial district with a dynamic cluster of shops, restaurants and bars.

The Diplomatic Area of Manama is a tony district that contains a string of upmarket, Euro-designer shops, the National Museum, Beit Al Qur'an and Bahrain World Trade Centre.

Gudaibiya is home to the pink Al Qudaibiya Palace and a sizable expat community from South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Africa.

Hoora is a popular nightlife district with a few cultural attractions of note.

Juffair is a vibrant expat and affluent Bahraini suburb of Manama that teems with Western chain restaurants and shops. Also home to Al Fatih Mosque.

The suburban neighbourhood of Seef contains some of the most upscale hotels, apartment complexes and malls in Bahrain.

Zinj is Manama’s embassy row, with a string of diplomatic outposts jostling for space with luxurious villas over Tubli Bay.

Isa Town is a middle class suburb in north central Bahrain, 10 km from Manama, known for leftist political predilections. Most of the country’s private schools are located here, in addition to a traditional bazaar and Bahrain National Stadium.

Muharraq is the former capital of Bahrain and occupies most of Muharraq Island. Some 7 km from the centre of Manama across the Sh Hamad Causeway, the city of 110,000 people contains some traditional architecture and a suq. Muharraq Island is also home to Bahrain International Airport.

The town of Arad, also on Muharraq Island, contains Al Muharraq Stadium and Arad Fort. The fort is one of the most venerable landmarks in Bahrain and pre-dates Portugal’s occupation of the country.

The Northern Governate of Bahrain is a target for economic growth and development, as Manama’s sprawl pushes west. A few settlements in the area protect a variety of vanishing arts and pursuits, like pearl diving, date cultivation, fabric weaving and fishing. More and more expat villages, wealthy Bahraini residential suburbs, technoparks and satellite university campuses have sprung up in recent years, with some controversial coastal reclamation and deforestation in the process. Vital points of interest in the Northern Governate include the first mosque built in Bahrain, Khamis Mosque, in the late 7th century no less. Barbar Temple is poised to become Bahrain’s second UNESCO World Heritage inscription and stands as a foremost Dilmun archaeological site. Last but not least, the Bahrain International Circuit hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix in the new mixed-use, leisure and entertainment enclave of Sakhir.

The Hawar Islands are in the Gulf of Bahrain off the west coast of Qatar. Bahrain has continuously lobbied UNESCO to have the islands declared a natural world heritage site. The main island of Hawar contains some interesting wildlife and recreation opportunities. To visit, catch a boat from Ad Dur Jetty, 40 km south of Manama. The ride is approximately 45 minutes long.

Manama Eat & Drink

The spectrum of restaurants in Manama run the gamut, from spectacularly cheap shawarma and curry shops to out-and-out expense account busters.

Manama Events

Manama’s cultural scene has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, as officials and civic leaders look to attract a more cosmopolitan brand of expat and tourist. The city now flaunts one of the most eclectic calendar of events in the entire Arabian Peninsula and Middle East.

The future of the Bahrain Grand Prix, arguably the most important international event in the country, is in doubt in the aftermath of the nation’s tumultuous part in the Arab Spring. When Formula 1 returns to the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, it will not be soon enough for the Al Khalifa royal family.

Muharraq Summer Festival at Muharraq Garden is a family event with a lot of food, games, entertainment and musical performances.

The Bahrain International Book Fair takes place in March at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre and features over a week’s worth of events.

National Day commemorates the independence of Bahrain every December 16-17. Parades, processions and a variety of events take place throughout Manama for the occasion.

Jewelry Arabia is a singular international fair and trade show that draws a global list of attendees and participants to the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Manama.

The Autumn Fair is another staple event on the Manama calendar at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. Similar to consumer goods festivals in the United Arab Emirates, the trade show and fair is a shopper's Shangri-la, with a wide range of arts and crafts, electronics and household items on display.

When To Go

When vast dust and sand storms overtake Bahrain from Saudi Arabia and across the Persian Gulf in Iraq, Manama can be rather inhospitable. The dry, furnace-like southwest winds blow storms across the barren south toward Manama in the summer and wreak havoc with everyday life.

On the whole, however, Bahrain’s arid climate is not as oppresive as other nations in the region. A mild winter is downright pleasant at times, despite high humidity, with temperatures in the 54°F (14°C) to 72°F (22°C) range. The majority of annual rainfall occurs from December to April, with virtually no precipitation from May to November.

The stark contrast between the two seasons is particularly evident temperature-wise. From May to September, the heat is relentless and temperatures hold between 79°F (26°C) to 100°F (38°C). Afternoon temperatures of 104°F (40 °C) are commonplace throughout the summer season and the mercury can soar as high as 118°F (48°C) in June and July. Suffice to say, this is not the best time to be in Manama.

What To Miss

In light of the 2011 Arab Spring and chain reaction of political revolts from Tunisia to Yemen, it behooves British nationals to exercise a high degree of caution and security alertness in Manama. Avoid mass demonstrations, large crowds and potentially volatile atmospheres in the capital. When in place, observe curfews and avoid loutish behaviour and public displays of intoxication in popular nightlife precincts like Adliya. The best advice to heed before a trip to Manama is to consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and register with the British Embassy in the capital.

Specific points of interest to miss include the fabled “Tree of Life”. The iconic attraction in the desert is somewhat of a marvel, with a root system close to 50 m deep. The presence of a shiny, lush new golf course nearby, however, takes some of the mystery and lustre away.

Malls in Manama, while a superb way to beat the desert heat, are as posh, if not more so, than malls back home. Do not expect to score any sweet discounts on upmarket, luxury brands as a result.

Getting Around

Bahrain International Airport is the only hub in the country and the gateway to Manama. The airport is held in high regard as one of the best in the Middle East and is a de facto secondary hub for scores of Saudis who fly in and drive over the causeway to Khobar or Dammam. Bahrain International serves a wide variety of destinations, from Cairo and London-Heathrow, to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi.

Within the small country and Manama, a decent public bus network offers reliable service to a range of destinations like Muharraq and Arad. Few people seem to take the bus in the capital, however, with taxis the principal mode of transport. Insist that your drive switch on the meter.

General Information

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