Whether you’re after historical sites, art galleries, museums, water parks or kids amusements, you’ll find it all among the top attractions in Bahrain.
In addition to some brilliant malls, stunning beaches and fantastic restaurants, there is plenty to do and places to visit in Bahrain if you’re looking for a day out or an activity with the family.
There’s lots to learn and experience for tourists and residents alike.
Save this list of the top attractions in Bahrain and see how many you can visit.
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Read on for our pick of the best attractions in Bahrain.
Here are 20 top attractions and places to visit in Bahrain
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
One of the world’s biggest mosques and by far the most prominent mosque in the Kingdom, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque is also one of the country’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks – making it among the top attractions in Bahrain.
A must-see for tourists, make sure to visit outside of prayer times, when up to 7,000 worshippers can descend on this landmark building.
Sat-Thu, 9am-4pm. Fri, closed. Awal Avenue Corner Al Fatih Highway, Manama, (1772 7773).
Al Liwan
Al Liwan by Seef Properties has gained popularity quickly in recent years making it among the top attractions in Bahrain. This mixed-use destination in Hamala features nearly 120 retail units including restaurants, cafes, gift shops, a supermarket, a cinema, and an indoor amusement park. You can expect to find several locals and tourists visiting this location, especially on the weekends. It’s beautiful architecture makes it a wonderful hangout spot in Bahrain.
Open daily, 10am-10pm. Hamala. @alliwanbh (3511 1155).
Arad Fort
Care to step back in time and discover a fort that was once the site of fierce battles? It is said that the Arad Fort at one point played a major role in Bahrain’s defense against marauders.
It features the typical build of Islamic forts from the 15th century and a typical example of Omani military architecture towards the end of the 15th and early 16th centuries. There are cylindrical towers at each of the four corners of this fort and it is surrounded by a small trench, which once was filled with water.
Today, it is among the top attractions in Bahrain. The fort illuminated at night makes for stunning photos, too.
Sat-Thu 9am-5pm. Arad. culture.gov.bh (1729 8777).
Bahrain International Circuit
Petrolhead or not, a visit to the Formula 1 Track, home of the Bahrain Grand Prix, is pretty much a prerequisite of any trip to Bahrain.
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. There’s even a go-karting track if your budget / bravery won’t stretch that far. Either way, this is one of the top attractions in Bahrain.
From BHD7. Open daily, tours at10am and 2pm. Sakhir, bahraingp.com (1745 0000).
Bahrain National Museum
If you’re keen to get to grips with the history of Bahrain, from the Dilmun civilisation and Portuguese rule to its pearl diving heritage, the Bahrain National Museum is one of the top attractions for you to visit.
You can spend hours in the 20,000 sq m museum checking out the various exhibitions, have lunch at the Darseen Cafe, and if you time it right, catch a show afterwards at the National Theatre of Bahrain, located right next door.
BHD1 (tourists and residents), 500fils (Bahriani citizens). Wed-Mon 9am-8pm; Tue, closed. Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama, culture.gov.bh (1729 8777).
Bahrain Pearling Path
You can’t visit Bahrain or live in the Kingdom and not explore its pearling heritage and traditions. So treasured are the pearling paths that they are now one of the country’s three UNESCO world heritage sites and among the top attractions in Bahrain.
Also called the Muharraq Pearling Path, follow the 3.5-kilometre route (you’ll find a full map on the pearling path website here) and visit the historic homes and warehouses.
There’s also a visitor and experience centre to help you understand more about the prosperous trade.
Wed-Mon, 10am-6pm; Tue, closed. Muharraq, pearlingpath.bh.
Bilaj Al Jazayer
You can expect the beach to always be among the top attractions in Bahrain. Bilaj Al Jazayer is the largest public beach in the Kingdom that attracts locals, residents, and tourists alike. It is beautiful and feels high-end, but you’ll be pleased to know that entrance starts only at BD2 – giving you access to their cafes and restaurant stalls, bath and changing rooms, and lounging areas.
Open daily, 7am-7pm. Zallaq @bilajaljazayer.
Busaad Art Gallery
Celebrated Bahraini artist Ebrahim Busaad’s former family home now plays host to a huge collection of his work, making it one of the top attractions in Bahrain for art enthusiasts.
His paintings, which feature bold and bright colours, have been shown across the globe in places including the British Museum in London and the National Museum of Fine Arts in Jordan, but it’s at the Busaad Art Gallery in Bahrain where you’ll really get to grips with his inspiration.
Sat-Thu 9am-1pm; 4pm-8pm; Fri, closed. Muharraq @busaadartgallery (1700 0020).
Gravity Indoor Skydiving
Get ready for liftoff. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or like to keep things safe – you get the best of both worlds at Gravity. This is one of the world’s tallest wind tunnels – definitely one of the top attractions in Bahrain.
You get both the thrill of flying and the reassurance of being in good hands no matter what happens. Here, you jump in just like you would from an aircraft, but without the long process of boarding an airplane, putting on a parachute, and questioning your choices at the very last minute.
Tue-Thu 12pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun-Mon closed. Gravity Village, Zallaq. gravitybah.com (1310 0000).
La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art
La Fontaine is one of the top attractions in Bahrain for multiple reasons: its private museum, numerous art galleries, restaurant, and gorgeous spa.
The building itself, close to the old Manama Souq, is 150 years old and has since been restored and renovated by French artist Jean Marc Sinan. The house is beautiful to walk around, the international exhibits rotate throughout the year and you can easily spend a day at the spa, too.
Tue-Sun 11am-11pm; Mon, closed. Manama, lafontaineartcentre.net (1723 0123).
Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark
If you’re looking for thrills and a place to keep cool, the Lost Paradise of Dilmun waterpark in Zallaq is worth checking out. It is the largest and only waterpark in the Kingdom, making it one of the top attractions in Bahrain for both tourists and residents alike.
Themed around the ancient history of the Kingdom, you’ll find more than 20 slides and activities for the whole family.
For a proper adrenaline rush, head straight for the Boomerango, Super Bowl and Family Raft rides.
Lost Paradise of Dilmun: BHD10 (guests below 1.2m in height), BHD20 (guests above 1.2m). Sun-Wed 10am-8pm; Thu 10am-6pm, 7pm-11.30pm; Sat, 10am-9pm. Zallaq, lpodwaterpark.com (1784 5100).
Manama Souq
Winding roads, sprawling shops and crowds of people, Manama Souq is one of the most authentic souks in the Gulf, with something for everyone – if you’re prepared to haggle.
Pick up clothes, perfumes, lamps and even gold, plus the usual kitsch souvenirs for every self-respecting tourist.
It’s also a great place to grab some authentic Bahraini food, or a simple cup of chai and a shawarma.
Daily 8.30am-10pm, Manama (3445 1280).
Marassi Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Young and old alike will be delighted by this huge aquarium, which is without doubt one of the top attractions in Bahrain. It’s split into different habitats and experiences, including the Aquarium Tunnel, Ocean Trench and Rainforest Lagoon, all designed to give you incredible views of tropical fish, stingray, sharks and more.
If you want to get closer to the ocean life, you can book additional experiences at the feeding platform and in the Lab of the Future, great for kids that want to understand conservation.
BHD6 (regular pass); BHD9 (ultimate pass); BHD20 (annual pass). Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Marassi Galleria Mall, marassiaquarium.bh.
Matrix
A perfect space to unleash your inner child, Matrix is an indoor amusement park featuring a range of fun zones like roller skating, Ninja Warior, bowling, obstacle courses, and more.
This is one of the top attractions in Bahrain for kids and grown ups alike. You’ll be fully entertained and with the variety of activities, you’ll surely have a blast.
Sat-Wed, 10am-12am; Thu-Fri, 10am-1.30am. Juffair Mall, Juffair. @matrix.bh (3617 2477).
Moda Mall
The Bahrain World Trade Centre may just be the most photographed building in the Kingdom. It’s no surprise that Moda Mall, located just below is among the top attractions in Bahrain. It is considered as the luxury fashion hub of the island, housing top luxury fashion and automotive brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Aston Martin.
Open daily, 10am-10pm. Bahrain World Trade Centre, Manama. @moda_mall (1721 1398).
Qal’at Al Bahrain
More commonly known as Bahrain Fort, this site is one of the top attractions in Bahrain and dates back nearly 5,000 years. It is one of the Kingdom’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Its impressive enough to look at and wander through but to find out more about what was the capital of the Dilmun civilisation in Bahrain, check out the museum alongside it.
The collection is focused around five different historical periods and you’ll also find a café, a lecture hall and gift shop.
BHD2 (tourists and residents), BHD1 (Bahriani citizens). Tue-Sun, 8am-8pm; Mon, closed. Bahrain Fort Museum, near Karbabad (1729 8777).
Shaikh Isa bin Ali House
Formerly the residence and seat of Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa’s government, this stunning house gives its visitors a glimpse into what royal life looked like back in the 19th century.
It’s among the top attractions in Bahrain – considering that it is one of the most impressive examples of Gulf Islamic architecture in the Kingdom. The several rooms around the four courtyards and wind towers make for amazing photos, too.
It is currently closed for renovations, but it won’t be long until they reopen.
Sheikh Abdulla Avenue, Muharraq. culture.gov.bh
Shaikh Ebrahim Centre
Established in the memory of Shaikh Ebrahim who was once a leader in the fields of education, culture, and the social sciences – the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre stands as a forum for dialogue between individuals of philosophy, literature, poetry, culture and the arts.
He was passionate in his search for knowledge and enlightenment and held weekly debates at his majlis. A must-add to your list of top attractions in Bahrain.
Sat-Thu 8am-2pm, 4pm-7pm. Muharraq. shaikhebrahimcenter.org (1732 2549).
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is among the top attractions in Bahrain because it seems to defy the laws of nature, flourishing in the middle of the desert for over 400 years without any water. Considering that Bahrain hardly ever sees any rain, it is a wonder how the tree is still standing tall at 32 feet high and leaves green as ever.
Guided tours are recommended, but many enjoy taking the long drive to the desert themselves to witness one of Bahrain’s natural marvels.
Open daily, 6am-10pm. Jebel Dukhan.
Yabeela
Who says playgrounds are only for kids? Yabeela is one of the top attractions in Bahrain for letting loose no matter what age you are.
Yes, both kids and adults can ride and play here. Plus, there’s tons of fabulous restaurants right outside.
Sun-Wed 12pm-11pm, Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm. Al Liwan, Hamala. @yabeela.bh (7791 1221).
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