The best way to spend 48 hours in Bahrain

Two days in Bahrain is heaps better than one, but honestly, it’s still not enough.

After a whirlwind first day exploring Muharraq and Manama, you’re probably feeling ready to sit down for a very long time.

Luckily for you, this guide to 48 hours in Bahrain involves a bit of a road trip to see all the sights – but only after a walking tour.

You might also like: The best things to do in Bahrain

Read on for the ultimate itinerary, and don’t forget to wear a seatbelt.

How to spend 48 hours in Bahrain

Breakfast

Best way to spend 48 hours in Bahrain — The Orangery, Al Liwan in Hamala (Credit: @orangeryme)

Your first breakfast was cheap and cheerful, so today we’re mixing things up by heading somewhere a bit more upmarket.

About a 20-25 minute drive away from the Manama centre (on a good day) is The Orangery in Al Liwan, Hamala. Here you’ll find a brilliant European menu with Arabian touches, fresh pastries, plus a lovely and bright Mediterranean-inspired seating area, perfect to start the day.

While here, dedicate a few extra minutes of your 48 hours in Bahrain to explore the rest of the open-air mall before heading out to your next stop.

Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Liwan, Hamala. @orangeryme (1663 8919).

A’Ali Pottery District

things to do in a'ali — Credit: @pottery_alshugel

Next up, we’re heading to A’Ali – more specifically, Avenue 42. Down this street you’ll find a number of traditional pottery workshops where you can watch artisans at work, buy their crafts, or even try your hand at making some yourself. One of them is Alshugel Pottery, who will happily tell you all about their methods and traditional products they make.

Sat-Thu, 8am-6pm. Highway 71, A’ali. @pottery_alshugel (3985 6994).

Dilmun Burial Mounds

Bahrain’s Dilmun burial mounds was given world heritage site status. The Kingdom has hundreds of thousands of burial mounds from between 2050BCE and 1750BCE when the country was part of the Dilmun Empire. There are 21 sites in total, all protected by UNESCO, but conveniently there’s one in A’Ali, or a bit further down in Hamad Town.

It’s worth visiting when you have 48 hours in Bahrain.

Khamis Mosque

This mosque in Tashan is believed to be the oldest in Bahrain, with some archaeologists dating the foundations back to 692AD. The current structure dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and features to minarets you can climb up.

Tue-Sun noon-5pm. Shaikh Salman Highway, Tashan. culture.gov.bh (1729 8777)

Lunch

free things to do in bahrain — Credit: @theavenuesbh

For lunch, make your way to the capital and explore the fabulous eats in Manama. We recommend heading to The Avenues where you can find tons of fabulous waterfront restaurants like Fish Lounge and Em Sherif if you love seafood, or Shake Shack if you’re more of a burger person.

Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Road 4660, Manama. the-avenues.com (1715 1060).

Dhow Building Yard

After filling up on good food, drive over the causeway from Manama to Muharraq Island and head to the south side for the dhow building shipyard, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll see men working on traditional dhow boats. These ships were used to transport goods across Eastern Arabia and were also vital in the pearling trade.

You can find directions here.

Open 24/7. Muharraq.

Pearling Path

things to do this week in bahrain - things to do n muharraq — Credit: @pearlingpath

Now that you’re in Muharraq, head off for the stunning Bahrain Pearling Path. Make your way up from the bottom of Muharraq Island, stopping off at buildings including pearl diver’s houses, shops and storerooms.

Once you reach the ‘amarat of the Fakhro family, we recommend taking a slight detour and heading over to the vertical garden, which was first installed by an artist in 2011. Take a few family snaps, then finish off the path.

Wed-Mon 10am-6pm. Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center, Muharraq. pearlingpath.bh.

Bahrain International Circuit

Even if the Formula 1 isn’t on, the Bahrain International Circuit is still worth a visit when you have 48 hours in Bahrain. You can book on to a private tour or try your hand at driving the track, and the little ones can Go Kart here too.

From BHD7. Open daily, tours at10am and 2pm. Sakhir, bahraingp.com (1745 0000).

Tree of Life

If you’re sick of driving around, don’t worry, this is the furthest south we’re going to go. After all, you only have 48 hours in Bahrain. The Tree of Life is very out of the way, and it’s no wonder – this tree, believed to be more than three hundred years old, is the only living thing for miles around.

Scientists aren’t quite sure how it survives, but it’s believed to have tapped into an underground water source. Why that source isn’t helping other plants thrive in this potential oasis is anyone’s guess.

Open daily, 6am-10pm. Jebel Dukhan.

Dinner

When it comes to dinner, there are too many restaurants in Bahrain to choose from. If you fancy splashing the cash for your final night in the Kingdom, head to Oliveto for some top notch Italian or Mirai for sushi or Calexico for some Mexican food.