When you’re looking for brilliant things to do in Bahrain, it can be difficult to narrow it down.
There are numerous must-see cultural sites, restaurants, bars, parks and beaches to keep you busy, plus waterparks, family-friendly activities, cinemas and more.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Bahrain, we have you covered.
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Here, we’ve rounded the best things to do in Bahrain to make it easier to navigate, whether you’re a tourist or a resident who still manages to get lost in the city (we totally get it).
With so much going on, it can be hard to know where to start, so save this list for our top picks.
These are the best things to do in Bahrain in 2025:
Admire the Manama skyline from a rooftop
The Manama skyline has plenty of iconic buildings, including the World Trade Centre which was once named one of the most influential skyscrapers in the world, and there’s no better way to experience it than from a rooftop restaurant.
We recommend heading up to the Blue Moon Lounge by Wolfgang Puck on the 50th floor of the Four Seasons in Bahrain Bay.
Open Sun 12.30pm-midnight; Tue and Sat 6pm-midnight; Wed-Fri 6pm-2am, Mon closed. Blue Moon Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. www.fourseasons.com/bahrain (1711 5046).
Attend some of the city’s hottest events and festivals
If you’re a visitor and happen to be in the Kingdom in time for any of the many brilliant events taking place, make sure to add those to your list when looking for the best things to do in Bahrain.
Though a rather laid back country, there are tons of interesting events and concerts throughout the year that will surely add to your experience.
Head here for the hottest events in Bahrain for 2025.
Bag yourself a spot on this beautiful beach
One of Bahrain’s most pristine and beautiful beaches, Bilaj Al Jazayer is getting another upgrade and we’re more than excited. You can still visit and enjoy the usual activities, but certain sections of the beach are restricted as improvements are underway. It’s all part of creating what will ultimately be a fully masterplanned beach destination in Bahrain.
Lazing by the beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Bahrain.
BHD2. Open daily, 7am-7pm. Bilaj Al Jazayer, Zallaq, @bilajaljazayer.
Be guided around Bahrain’s largest mosque
A guided walk around Al Fateh Grand Mosque is the perfect way to see and learn more about Islam in the Kingdom, and one of the best things to do in Bahrain.
Everything from the doors to the floors has an interesting origin story behind it and you’ll come away from the experience with more facts than you know what to do with.
Sat-Thu 9am-4pm. Awal Avenue Corner, Al Fatih Highway (1772 7773).
Bolster your knowledge at the Bahrain National Museum
Another of the best things to do in Bahrain, you can find out all about the country’s rich and varied history at the Bahrain National Museum.
This attraction has plenty of exhibitions to check out and is split into categories such as customs and traditions or trades and crafts. A must-see spot for anyone visiting the country.
Wed-Mon 9am-8pm, Tue closed. Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama. culture.gov.bh (1729 8777).
Catch a show at Bahrain National Theatre
The Bahrain National Theatre, which draws inspiration from the stories from 1,001 nights, is the one of the largest theatres in the Middle East with 1,001 seats.
It has previously hosted performances likes L’Orchestre Lamoureux and Swan Lake. It’s truly unlike any other experience in the Kingdom, so if you’re looking for the best things to do in Bahrain – add a visit here to your list.
Various timings. Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama. culture.gov.bh
Channel your inner F1 driver at Bahrain International Circuit
Even if a trip to the Bahrain Grand Prix isn’t on your agenda, you can still experience the Formula 1 track.
A guided tour, which includes the track, the race control tower and the iconic Sakhir tower, costs just BHD7 and is available to book online daily at either 10am or 2pm.
Real F1 fans can pay a premium and have a go at driving the track themselves. Either way, this one of the best things to do in Bahrain.
From BHD7. Open daily, tours at 10am and 2pm. Sakhir, bahraingp.com (1745 0000).
Check out the city’s hottest foodie and culture hub
Bringing together the best of the Kingdom’s food and culture all under one roof, a visit to Time Out Market Bahrain is one of the best things to do in Bahrain, if we do say so ourselves.
Head here and sample the brilliant dishes, delicious drinks, and amazing vibes when exploring Manama.
Don’t miss the stunning rooftop for al fresco dining and fabulous flavoured pipes under the city sky.
Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. Hotels at City Centre Bahrain, Seef District. @timeoutmarketbahrain.
Discover the history of Bahrain on the Muharraq Pearling Path
There are three UNESCO world heritage sites in the Kingdom and you best believe that a visit to these places are among the best things to do in Bahrain.
The Pearling Path is one of them. 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.
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm. Muharraq. pearlingpath.bh.
Dive into the world’s biggest underwater theme park
One of the best things to do in Bahrain is explore what’s beneath the surface. You can book a tour to Dive Bahrain and explore its top attraction, a submerged Boeing 747, the largest aircraft ever to be used as an artificial reef.
Four companies offer excursions, including Extreme Sportz and Scuba Life. In the future there’ll be more structures including a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house.
Drive down to the Tree of Life
Visiting the Tree of Life is one of the top things to do in Bahrain. This surprisingly green tree is hundreds of years old and nobody quite knows how it survives in the middle of the desert with no other vegetation around. You can also head to one of the campsites nearby and make a night of it.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Off Musakar Highway, between Riffa and Awali.
Eat at world-class restaurants
As well as being rich with traditional Bahraini cuisine and cute and cosy eateries, the Kingdom is now also home to numerous celebrity chef restaurants and globally-renowned restaurant brands.
Whether you are a fan of Wolfgang Puck, who lends his name to several venues at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, SUSHISAMBA, or Cipriani, you’ll find a restaurant that is bound to impress.
Check our list of brilliant restaurants in Bahrain here.
Explore the Kingdom’s vibrant nightlife
You can’t visit the Kingdom and not wonder what the nightlife is like. Many may agree that some of the best things to do in Bahrain only open after dark.
After a long day of sightseeing, visiting landmarks, art galleries and museums, and malls, you’ll need to unwind with a glass or five – and you have so many options from cheap and cheerful to lavish and upscale.
There are also terrific happy hours and ladies’ nights every day of the week, all you need to do is look in the right places.
Explore Al Dar Islands
If you’re looking for a very special day out in Bahrain, head to Sitra Fisherman Port and get a boat over to the Al Dar Islands.
You can rent out a beach hut for the day, or go kayaking, fishing or even dolphin watching in the beautiful waters nearby. There’s so much to do and it’s just a 10-minute boat ride away.
From BHD6 (adults, weekdays), BHD8 (adults, weekends), BHD3 (children, weekdays), BHD5 (children, weekends). Sitra Fisherman Port, aldarislands.com (1770 4600).
Find out more about Islamic art
The Beit Al-Qu’ran complex has plenty of Islamic art and manuscripts from many centuries ago, and you can also take a look at some very old Qu’rans here. There’s a mosque, ten exhibition halls and a library for you to visit.
Open Sun-Wed 8am-2.30pm; Thu, Sat 8.30am-1.30pm, Fri closed. Manama. culture.gov.bh (1729 0101).
Get your jog on at Dohat Arad Park
This park next to Dohat Lagoon has a 3.3km walkway, the longest in the Kingdom. Go for a casual stroll and admire the view, or pound the pavement and burn some serious calories. Either way, you’re likely to spot some pretty striking birds while you’re at it.
Khalifa Al Khabeer Highway, Muharraq.
Go diving for pearls
Bahrain was once dubbed the Island of Pearls (and for very good reason). Some of the best things to do in Bahrain is experience this traditional trade by diving for the precious natural gems yourself.
You can collect up to 60 oysters and will be allowed to keep whatever you find. There are six licensed companies offering pearl diving excursions including Delma Marine, Dive Vision, Environment Arabia and Scuba Life and you’ll need to buy a pearl diving pass for BHD5 before your trip.
From BHD5, excursion extra. Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, portal.btea.bh/pearldiving.
Haggle for a bargain in Manama Souq
A must for any visitor to Manama, haggling for a bargain is one of the top things to do in Bahrain. Pick up spices, souvenirs and delicious sweets such as halwa, but don’t even think about paying the quoted price for things. Haggling is half the fun of any trip to this Bahrain institution.
24/7. Bab al Bahrain.
Learn about the Dilmun empire at Bahrain Fort
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).
Pick up a souvenir in the A’Ali pottery district
If you want something to remember your trip to Bahrain that isn’t a novelty tea towel, t-shirt or fridge magnet, head to Avenue 42 in A’Ali. Here you’ll find master craftsmen at work on all sorts of pottery, and you’ll even be able to buy some traditional ceramics.
Take a boat ride over to Bu Maher Fort
You can buy a boat ticket to Bu Maher Fort for just BHD1 and take a trip from the Bahrain National Museum. A trip over the water gives great views of the Manama skyline and you can learn about the fort, which dates back to 1840, on the way.
We think some of the best things to do in Bahrain is dive deep into it’s rich history and learn how these forts came to be.
Wed-Mon 9am-8pm, Tue closed. Bahrain National Museum, Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama (1729 8777).
Treat yourself to a spa day
There are plenty of spas you can try out in Bahrain, but we think one of the best is at the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. Explore the gallery before getting a massage and combine culture with relaxation in complete serenity.
Tue-Sun 11am-11pm. Hoora Avenue, Manama. lafontaineartcentre.net (1723 0123).
Splash about at a waterpark
Aside from hitting up the beach, some of the best things to do in Bahrain is have a splashing time at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun waterpark in Zallaq.
It is worth the drive from Manama city centre, and don’t miss the late-night Thursday sessions. Book online for the best prices.
Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Mon-Wed 11am-7pm, Thu 10am-6pm, Thu (ladies only) 7pm-12am, Sun closed. Hawrat Ingah, lpodwaterpark.com (1784 5100).
Shop non-stop at these luxurious malls
There are malls dotted all over Bahrain, and you can find everything you need in the Kingdom. We recommend heading to the stunning Marassi Galleria for beachside views and a luxe feel. You can also hit up City Centre Bahrain, the largest mall, or MODA Mall near the World Trade Centre if you need to pick up some luxury goods.
Try some traditional food
You can’t say you’ve truly experienced a new culture until you try some traditional dishes, and there’s no shortage of spots to pick up authentic food in Bahrain.
Keep it really old school by heading to Haji’s Traditional Cafe in the souq, or try contemporary Bahraini food at Fusions by Tala. When it comes to the best things to do in Bahrain, you can never go wrong with a good meal.
Haji’s Traditional Cafe: Open daily 5.30am-9pm. Manama Souq, @hajiscafe (1721 0647).
Fusions by Tala: Open Mon-Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat noon-5pm. Gulf Hotel Bahrain, @fusionsbytala (1771 3000).
Visit the Dilmun burial mounds
Another UNESCO world heritage site, 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, and you can find out all about them on site or at the Bahrain National Museum.
Watch the latest movies in style
Everyone loves going to the cinema, it’s one of the best things to do in Bahrain. But if you’re after a stand out experience, why not head to one of these luxurious cinema experiences.
Cinepolis in the Atrium Mall has 4D e-motion showings, or you can opt for a gourmet experience at VOX Cinema in City Centre Bahrain.
Zoom across the world’s largest indoor e-karting track
One of the best things to do in Bahrain for adrenaline junkies is to zoom across the world’s largest multi-level indoor e-karting track – Trax.
Put your race face on and head down there if you’re looking for exciting things to do in Bahrain. There’s plenty of other fun activities after your victory lap too – from roller skating to rock climbing, plus there is a food court right outside.
From BD 3.5. Sat-Wed 2pm-10pm, Thu 2pm-11pm, Fri 12pm-11pm. @trax.bh (3838 8555).
For more things to do in Bahrain click here.
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