As you’d expect for a country famed for its archeaological sites, ancient traditions and local culture rooted in a deep history, there are numerous historical landmarks in Bahrain.
First and foremost, Bahrain is home to *three* UNESCO World Heritage sites:
The Qal’at Al Bahrain, or Bahrain Fort as it is commonly known; the Bahrain Pearling Path, recognised for its cultural importance to the entire Arab region; and the Dilmun Burial Mounds, the most recent site to join the list in 2019.
But there are many other historical landmarks in Bahrain worth knowing about. Some you will have come across in every day life; others will need a specific visit to be planned.
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If you want to know more about the fascinating Kingdom in which you live, or indeed the country you are visiting, these historical landmarks in Bahrain are a good place to start.
20 historical landmarks in Bahrain:
A’ali East Burial Mounds
Considered one of the largest graveyards in the world, 170,000 mounds punctuate the landscape between Hamad Town and A’ali and are a stark reminder of Bahrain’s rich history.
This site is one of the components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dilmun Burial Mounds which we go over later in this article.
Dating back to around 3000 BC, when the entire human population of the world is estimated to have been only 30 million, the burial mounds predate the Great Pyramid of Giza by five centuries.
Some of the most impressive mounds can be found near A’ali village and are thought to contain the remains of the Dilmunite royal families. It’s one of the most famous historical landmarks in Bahrain, and rather thought-provoking to wander through.
A’Ali.
Al-Khamis Mosque
A testament to the rapidity of the uptake of the Muslim faith on the island, Al-Khamis Mosque is believed to have first been constructed around the year 692 (though some dispute this and put the year somewhere in the 10th century) making it one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region – and the first mosque in Bahrain.
Although the structure was modified in subsequent centuries, the site is adorned with Kufic script and some faded murals and is one of the highlights of Islamic history in the Gulf.
Tue-Sun noon-5pm, Mon closed. Bilad Al Qadim, Sheikh Salman Highway, Tashan. (1729 8777).
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
One of the world’s biggest mosques and by far the most prominent in Bahrain, 7,000 worshippers can pack into this landmark building near Juffair at any one time.
Although during prayer times the mosque is closed to non-Muslims, at other times of the day Al Fateh is open to tourists.
Sat-Thu 9am-4pm, Fri closed. Awal Avenue Corner Al Fatih Highway, Manama (1772 7773).
Arad Fort
Built in the 15th century in typical Arabic style, the fort came into its own during the brief Omani invasion at the beginning of the 19th century.
Located on Muharraq, the fort has been extensively restored and now acts as one of the focal points of Bahrain. Best seen at night, when it is illuminated from all sides.
Sat-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri closed. Arad. (1729 8777).
Bahrain Pearling Path
There are three UNESCO world heritage sites in Bahrain, and this is one of them. Also called the Muharraq Pearling Path, follow the route (you’ll find a full map on the pearling path website here) and visit the homes and warehouses once used in this prosperous trade.
Enjoy exploring the 3.5 kilometre path and then head to the new visitor and experience centre to help you understand more about one of the most significant historical landmarks in Bahrain.
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm, Tue closed. Muharraq. pearlingpath.bh.
Barbar Temple
The discovery of the Barbar Temple remains one of Bahrain’s most significant archaeological finds. Although no one is quite sure which god the temple was erected in honour of, when the Danish expedition in 1954 uncovered it, it was clear that it was of huge historical value.
Mesopotamian in style and dating back to the third millennium BC, the temple has a number of distinctive local characteristics as well as being similar in style to those found in Iraq. For those who like historical gore, the pen in which animals were kept prior to their sacrifice is clearly discernible.
Daily 8am-5pm. Barbar.
Beit Al Jasra Heritage House
Built in 1907, this traditional house gives a glimpse into how everyday people lived in villages across Bahrain over the past couple of centuries.
Restored in 1986 with as close a possible nod to the materials used at its origin, from coral stones to palm leaf trunks, Beit Al Jasra Heritage House now also offers the Al Jasra Handicrafts Center to showcase skills in pottery making, cloth weaving, wood work and sadow making – which is otherwise known as the ancient art of Bedouin weaving.
Sun-Thu 8am-2pm, Fri closed. Jasra. culture.gov.bh.
Cathedral of Our Lady Arabia
Bahrain is known to be the perfect model of tolerance and coexistence, spreading the culture of peace and love throughout the Kingdom.
It’s no surprise that in December 2021, the largest Catholic cathedral in the Gulf opened its doors in Awali, making it one of the many historical landmarks in Bahrain.
The Cathedral of Our Lady Arabia has a whopping 2,200 seating capacity, two chapels with 80 seating capacity, an auditorium with 800 seating capacity and eight confession rooms.
Open daily 8am-12pm, 4pm-8pm. Awali. bahraincathedral.com.
Dilmun Burial Mounds
Another UNESCO world heritage site and among the most popular historical landmarks in Bahrain, these graves, some of which date back to 2050BCE, are scattered across A’Ali, Madinat Hamad and Janabiyah. Some of them have multiple chambers and hosted the bodies of Dilmun royalty.
The remains span across 21 different archeological sites and in Saar, there is an archeological museum dedicated to their story.
Daily 6am-5pm, Saar whc.unesco.org.
Diraz Temple
Situated in the village of Diraz along the Budaiya Highway, the Diraz Temple still remains something of a mythic site in Bahrain thanks to the fact that excavation on the site was discontinued, for no clear reason.
Unearthed by a British expedition in collaboration with the Directorate of Archaeology between 1973 and 1975, the temple is unique in the region because of the use of huge cylindrical columns, which sets it apart from the temples of Mesopotamia. Estimated to have been constructed sometime in the third millennium BC, the base of nine of the cylinders still exist, protruding 60cm out of the ground.
This is one of the best historical landmarks in Bahrain for extremely dedicated history buffs.
Diraz, culture.gov.bh.
Bab Al Bahrain
The Bab Al Bahrain is one of the most historic landmarks left by the British during their time in Bahrain. Built overlooking the waterfront (today, thanks to land reclamation, it is a good 10-minute walk to the coast), the building was designed by Sir Charles Belgrave in 1945. It originally housed government offices, though today it is better known as the gateway to the Manama Souq.
In 1986, the building was refurbished to make it more Islamic in style.
Sat-Thu, 9am-12.30pm, 4-8pm; Fri, 9am-12.30pm, 4-9pm. Manama, (1729 8777).
First Oil Well
On October 16 1931, oil started spurting from a spot just below Smoky Mountain, Bahrain’s highest point. The discovery was to change the face of the Gulf region, and came not a minute too soon: just a couple of years before the pearl market had crashed.
Today, the Oil Museum constructed on the same site tells you everything you need to know. You can see the well at any time, but it’s best to go when the museum is open too.
Free. Sun-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri-Sat, closed. Jebel Dukhan, Manama (1775 3475).
Manama Souq
If ever there were an architectural palimpsest in Bahrain, the Manama Souq would be it. Winding roads, sprawling shops and crowds of people, Manama Souq is one of the most authentic souqs in the Gulf and, unlike some, little effort has been made to prettify it for tourists. Good news if it’s authenticity you’re after. Bad news if you are lost and in need of a toilet or taxi.
Daily 8.30am-10pm, Manama (3445 1280).
Qal’at Al Bahrain
More commonly known as Bahrain Fort, this site dates back nearly 5,000 years, although the area of the Bahrain Fort (Qal’at Al Bahrain) was first inhabited sometime around the third century BC, and was thought to be the capital of the Dilmun civilisation on the island.
After thousands of years of continuous inhabitation, in the 16th century the Portuguese came along, bricked it off and built an impressive fort. One of Bahrain’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is an informative museum situated alongside it.
BHD2 (tourists and residents), BHD1 (Bahriani citizens). Tue-Sun, 8am-8pm; Mon, closed. Bahrain Fort Museum, near Karbabad (1729 8777).
Riffa Fort
Created by Sheikh Salman bin Ahmed, and as such also called the Sheikh Salman bin Ahmed Fort, this structure was built in 1812 and was the seat of power in Bahrain until 1869. Like most of the historical landmarks in Bahrain, it is believed to have been built on a much earlier fort dating from the late 17th century.
Thanks to rigorous restoration efforts, underway again hence the temporary closure, the fort gives a fantastic insight into the way in which the monarchy used to live.
Temporarily closed. (1729 8777).
Saar Archeological Site
Although the exact location of Dilmun, a civilisation referred to in the writings of ancient Iraq, has never been confirmed, Bahrain lays a pretty strong claim to having been one of its focal points. Not least because the archaeological digs at Saar, which unearthed an entire 100 by 150 metre village, date from that period.
Active from the third millennium BC, the Saar digs prove the existence of an organised society at that time. More organised, some may say, than the one in which we live now.
Saar.
Sheikh Isa bin Ali House
The residence of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain between 1869 and 1932, this Muharraq icon is a great example of the 19th century architecture of the Gulf region.
Comprising of four main sections (the family wing, the Sheikh’s wing, the guest wing and the attendants’ wing), the walls are covered in intricate Islamic bas relief and demonstrate the restrained opulence of the royal families of the region prior to the discovery of oil.
Temporarily closed. Muharraq culture.gov.bh.
Siyadi House
Most of Bahrain’s pearl traders these days might be rather envious of Siyadi House in Muharraq, which was built by a well-known Bahraini pearl merchant at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Looking like a fledgling fort from the outside, the inside is a wonderland of engraved walls and geometric design. The house has been restored and is one of the historical landmarks in Bahrain worth visiting.
Wed-Mon, 10am-6pm; Tue, closed. Muharraq (3323 3521).
St. Christopher’s Cathedral
Bahrain has long been tolerant of different religions and cultures, and is one of the few places in the Gulf region where you can find a church.
St Christopher’s Cathedral caters to the Anglican community and is another relic of British colonisation. In the centre of Manama and relatively low-key in design, the cathedral is in the diocese of Cyprus and is similar in style to the religious architecture of the Mediterranean.
Manama @stchriscathedralbahrain (1725 3866).
Tree of Life
One of the completely natural historical landmarks in Bahrain. With no apparent water source, the Tree of Life stands alone in the Bahraini desert and is reckoned to be well over 100 years old, and may be as old as 300. A species of mesquite, the tree is the camel of fauna, able to withstand long periods of drought without any apparent dehydration.
Although some scientists reckon it must be tapping into an underground water source, this doesn’t explain the utter lack of any vegetation for miles around. A national metaphor for the resilience of the Bahraini character, local legend has it dating back to the Dilmun period.
Off Musakar Highway, between Riffa and Awali.
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