Island Of Bahrain, we thought it would be nice to give you some information most people don’t know! I’m sure about 70% of you reading this will not know where Bahrain is. And that is why I am writing about it. The tiny Island of Bahrain is a kingdom located in the Persian Gulf.
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands, but also has about 51 artificial islands that have been developed over the past decade. It is the third smallest nation in Asia at 780 square kilometers or 300 square miles. And has a population of about 1.3 million people, of which almost half are expats. This makes Bahrain’s population and culture very diverse, everything from languages, cuisine and entertainment is a melting pot of different influences from around the world.
Weather on the Island of Bahrain
Now lets talk weather. Being a desert island, Bahrain experiences very hot summers (averaging around 38-39 degrees Celsius) but extremely moderate and pleasant winters (averaging 17-22 degrees Celsius). Winters start from late November to mid March, these are the best months to visit.
Culture
Culturally, Bahrain is a clash of modern and traditional cultures. You will notice this, in its architecture and its people. Old mud houses, spice and gold markets or Souq’s are a wonder to someone visiting from the western world, as if transported to a fairy tale from Arabian Nights; but it is also hard to miss the skyscrapers. Architecture in Bahrain, in fact in the Gulf is nothing standard, buildings are built in as many shapes and sizes as one can possibly imagine. Lit up at night, the streets and building are bright and make the skyline quite beautiful to view.
What can you truly do on a desert island? for such a small place, there is actually so much to do.
Food:
You MUST eat as much food as you can. Bahrainis are fond of their food, and there is no lack of cuisine in the country. Japanese, Chinese, American, local, Indian, Thai, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian and so much more. Bahrainis are always on the latest trends with food too. Eating and food is so much part of the culture. Most gatherings take place over a feast of food. Either cooked by loved ones at home or out at one of the many restaurants. Some of my favorites are Coco’s, Hash House, Kabuki, Aburi, Lumee, Emmawash, Al Abraj and so much more, this list does no justice to it all. Also, try a Shawarma (a local “street” food, basically a chicken or beef wrap, but just so much flavor).
Brunch:
This may seem similar to the previous point, but I told you there is a lot of eating involved. You MUST try a brunch, pricey they might be, but worth it. From the food to the ambience it is just a must try. These are held at hotels and are buffet style, endless amounts of food, drinks and desserts of all varieties as far as the eye can see. If you pick a hotel by the coast like The Ritz Carlton or Sofitel, you’ll get relaxing views of beaches and palm trees.
Water sports:
Paddle boarding, jet skiing and kite surfing are some of the fun more active things to do. Something to burn off all the food you will eat. Usually resorts or hotel owned beaches or other private owned beaches are better places to go to visit the coastline, just because they are better maintained and you have access to restaurants in the premises. Al Dar Islands is a short boat ride away (8 mins) from the mainland, and is a great place to relax.
Shopping:
Weather it be the Souq for more local souvenirs and crafts or the malls for a mix of local and international brands in fashion, beauty, etc. There are great sales on almost all the time, so you can definitely find yourself a great bargain.
Bars/lounges:
Alcohol is only served in establishments that carry a liquor license, you may find a few restaurants serve alcohol. But drinking is mostly done at lounges or bars, these may be independent venues or will be found in hotels. Alcohol is generally much more expensive here as it carries heavy duties. But if you are looking for a fun night out, try Calexico, Hazel Rooftop Lounge, Meisei, to name a few. It is always a fun night out during the weekends, people like to dress up and dance the night away.
History:
If you are wanting to learn more about the history there are several sites to visit. Bahrain National Museum, a smaller museum which makes it easy to thoroughly tour and read information. Al Fateh Mosque, this is the biggest mosque in Bahrain. Beautiful architecture, very friendly and educational guides meet you and give you a tour for free. Women will be asked to wear a provided hijab and abaya out of respect for the place of worship.
Bahrain Fort (a UNESCO world heritage site), ruins of an old fort by the seaside; great for walks. These attractions are small and take about 45 minutes to get through. Fun to whiz by and tick off a list as you go along. Also the pearling trail ( another UNESCO world heritage site) this is an outdoor tour that requires a bit of walking, this tour will educate you on the pearling tradition in Bahrain.
The people are friendly, especially to tourists and will be happy to help with recommendations on things to do and places to go. Some might even offer to show you around.
Clothing
There is a level of modesty to clothing in Bahrain, but there is nothing restrictive. Feel free to wear what you want to your comfort. Locals are understanding to the way tourists dress. But if you feel you may be uncomfortable standing out then jeans and shirt or mid dresses and skirts are fine.
This tiny island of Bahrain is a great place to visit to experience the Arabian culture in a more open environment. Dubai, is another great place to visit in the vicinity, but is more big city feels rather than local culture experience. Another favorite Gulf country is Oman, it is known for nature and traditional lifestyle. Bahrain is the mixture of both, city life with local island feels.
Visit other places besides the Tiny Island Of Bahrain
Now that you know a little about the Island of Bahrain, check out some other places I have been. My travels are extensive and extremely fun. I hope you get to travel as much as I do but if not, these pages I have created give you an idea of the world.