Place

Heritage Centre and Museum of Pearl Diving

The Heritage Centre and Museum of Pearl Diving commemorates the culture of pearl diving.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

The Heritage Centre and Museum of Pearl Diving commemorates the culture of pearl diving.

From ancient times, Bahrain’s pearls have been famed for their shine and wholesomeness; their sale brought capital to Bahrain till Japan took over the world market with their cultured pearls. The magnificent old court building, made in 1937 and turned into a museum in 1948, is definitely worth a visit. In addition, this Centre hosts exhibitions on Bahrain’s heritage and industries. Timings: Sat-Wed: 7am-2pm Address: Near the National Museum Phone: +973 210-600

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What to do with Children in Tow

Park

Adhari Park

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The Bahrain Fort

Fortress

The Qala'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) is on the northern shore, five minutes from Manama city. The Portuguese constructed the fort in the 16th century, after which it fell into disrepair. However it has now been superbly restored to its former grandeur. Next door to the fort is an unmarked building that is the museum housing numerous artifacts from the ancient Dilmun period through to the Islamic era, many of which were found at the Fort.

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A'Ali Potteries

These kilns have been made on an ancient burial mound. After observing the potter working on the wheel you can take a turn yourself. The shop owner himself is also on hand to give a tour of the kilns and the pottery making process from production to glazing and firing. There are also finished glazed and unglazed products available for purchase at reasonable prices

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Al Khamis Mosque and Beit Al Qur’an Museum

Museum

Dating back to 692 A.D, Al-Khamis is the oldest mosque in Bahrain. However this is disputed and a date pertaining to the 11th century is more probable. The elegant identical minarets were made in the 15th century and are mystifying and peaceful. It is no longer in use and is open to public viewing.

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The Royal Tombs

Tomb

These make up the biggest prehistoric graveyard in the world; there are approximately 170,000 burial mounds here, from the Dilmun period, 4,000 years ago to the third millennium BC, and present an intriguing look into early burial practices.

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Adhari Park

Park

Adhari Park is a treasure trove for parents confused about how to entertain their overactive children. The Park consists of 165,000 metres of indoor and outdoor rides, food and shopping.

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The National Museum

Museum

The largest museum in Bahrain, the National Museum is a must-see for history enthusiasts; it is a goldmine of archaeological discoveries and Bahraini cultural relics. The Museum contains most remarkably, an entire dug up tomb as well as intricately carved seals and Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian writing that assert Bahrain’s trading history. Other treasures include; the dioramas of Bahraini crafts, customary paintings, ceramic objects and many religious documents such as beautiful illuminated Qurans.

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Arad Fort

Fortress

Though there is no known exact date of construction, the timeline of the Arad Fort is roughly the 15th century. Made in the typically Arab manner, the fort has been thoroughly refurbished and is a truly awe-inspiring sight when it is lit up at night.It is thought that the fort was used by the Omanis during their short occupation of Bahrain in 1800. It was deliberately built next to the waterways between Bahrain and Muharraq Island, to protect Bahrain’s strategic location in the Gulf.

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Sakir Horse Race Course

Stadium

The Race Course and Equestrian & Horse Racing Club was established in 1977 and aims to revive the Arab custom of horse riding and grooming as well as training the new generation in the time-old tradition of riding horses. The course can house up to 40,000 spectators, and even children are welcome. Placing bets on the horses and the outcome of matches is strictly forbidden.

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Oil Museum

Museum

Situated only some meters from where Bahrain’s first oil well was found in 1932 near Jebel Dukhan, (Mountain of Smoke), the Oil Museum was formally opened in 1992.It contains used drilling gear, underground rock samples, maps and information about the companies that initiated oil exploration in Bahrain which was the first country in the Arabian Gulf to find oil.

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Blue Elephant

Thai buffet brunch with seafood and free flowing bubbly and herbal drinks

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Le Mediterranee/Nirvana

Family-friendly

Le Mediterranee serves a succulent international buffet brunch where children under 12 years pay half price. The Nirvana restaurant in the same Hotel serves delectable Indian specialties.

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Bam bu

This Shanghai eatery is definitely worth a visit as it serves practical, filling, delicious and fresh home-cooking. The cooking may be traditional but the ambience certainly isn't: the open-kitchen restaurant is painted lime-green, has electronic sliding doors and has wi-fi internet access. The standard price includes unlimited beverages. A place where you definitely get value for your money.

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Le Versailles

Le Versailles is where you should go if you want dinner to be the evening’s main event. The ambience is elegance itself with live musicians and the twinkling lights of the Financial Harbour visible from the high glass windows. The menu is a superb collection of classical and modern French dishes.

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Mezzaluna

The atmospheric and modish Mezzaluna combines the spirit of Bahrain with that of the Mediterranean. Made in a sophisticated Bahraini courtyard house, the high-ceilinged restaurant has a live Latin band (on Fridays) and jazz music otherwise. It affords a delectable Mediterranean menu with imported French cheeses and a superb wine list. In particular, their melt-in-the-mouth Algerian fillet mignon is highly recommended. Reservations should be made in advance.

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Ramee International Hotel

A delightful seafood buffet is served every Thursday and Friday at less than BD 5 per person. While the mouth watering ‘Eat all you can’ lunch and dinner packages are moderately rated at BD 9.500 per person.

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Al Noor Lounge Café

Family-friendly

There is a charming brunch buffet daily with free flowing champagne, it is affordably priced and highly suitable for children. Those under 5yrs eat for free here, while 6-12year-olds only pay half the price. There is also live music and a kid’s corner.

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Le Bistro

This restaurant is renowned for its international night buffet, its quirkily themed buffets, exciting salad bars and a la carte menus of your choice of Continental, American, Japanese and Asian cuisine.

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Jim’s

Jim’s has a very homey feelng and is thus highly popular with Western expatriates. It has a cosy cottage interior and serves roasts,'Full Monty' breakfasts with home-cooked eggs, bacon and black pudding. With a friendly ambience and famously delicious homemade chocolate vodkas, Jim’s is worth a visit for sure.

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Silk’s Restaurant

Family-friendly

An excellent option for every type of guest; children, families and friends. Their international brunch offers free flowing champagne, an option on indoor or outdoor seating by the poolside a live band and pianist. Take pleasure in the free use of the swimming pool in a family context with a Kids Corner.

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Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel

Luxury Hotels

This five-star hotel is indisputably Bahrain's most luxurious and lavish hotel, with its own private

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Moevenpick Hotel Bahrain

Expensive Hotels

This hotel is comfortably situated 10 kilometers from the city of Manama. Multilingual staff is on-hand at the 24-hour reception offering currency exchange, concierge services and even a safe-deposit box. Public areas have wireless Internet and free parking.Their restaurant serves Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine while the poolside Flamingo Bar has live music and barbecue. The hotel has a business centre, with meeting and conference facilities offered. There is an outdoor pool, two floodlit outdoor tennis courts, fitness equipment, a sauna, massage treatments, foot reflexology and aromatherapy. The guestrooms have minimalist furnishings. In-room facilities include satellite television, air conditioning and wireless Internet access. Babysitting or child care is also provided.

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Days Hotel Manama

This hotel boasts a coffee shop, a complimentary buffet breakfast, four restaurants and bars situated on site. A business centre and boardroom is available, with free Internet access all through the hotel. The Days Hotel provides free use of a fitness centre at the Marina Club, opposite the hotel with swimming, sauna, tennis, and squash. All the guestrooms are air conditioned and face the sea and have satellite television and minibars.

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The Phoenicia Tower Hotel

Expensive Hotels

Located in central Manama, Bahrain, this hotel features a hair salon, a Moroccan restaurant, a coffee shop, outdoor swimming pool and bar, spa tub, sauna, gymnasium, massage-treatment and a nightclub. Complimentary breakfast is served daily to guests. Conference and meeting rooms are available as are free Internet connections all over the hotel. Visitors can also enjoy free use of all the facilities at the neighboring Marina Club. The guestrooms are air-conditioned with sea views and modern wooden furnishings. They are equipped with LCD satellite televisions, direct-dial phones, wireless Internet, minibars, tea/coffee makers, hairdryers and laundry facilities.

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Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Centrally located in the heart of Manama with lavish guest rooms, restaurants and recreational facilities, the Sheraton offers a superbly unique view of the city and the Arabian Gulf. The hotel offers rich cuisine, a bar with live entertainment, wide-ranging recreational facilities; separate gym for men and women and spa treatments. There is also an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool with Jacuzzi as well as a rooftop tennis court. The hotel has ballrooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms – all offering flawless service. Wireless Internet access is also available throughout the hotel.

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The Best Western Juffair Hotel

Sited in Manama amidst facilities for sailing, jet skiing, scuba diving and the Riffa Golf course nearby, the Best Western Juffair Hotel is a popular choice for those inclined to these sports. It has a 24-hour front desk providing currency exchange, laundry, valet, and concierge services. There is a rooftop swimming pool, a health club with fitness gym and sauna, and wireless Internet access all through the building. There is also free parking, three restaurants, a bar with billiards and a nightclub. The hotel houses meeting and function rooms prepared for audio-visual presentations. The guestrooms at the Best Western Juffair are adorned with contemporary fixtures and are air-conditioned. Suites have separate sitting areas and provide satellite television, free wireless internet, direct-dial telephones, safes, minibars and tea and coffee-making facilities

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Somerset Al Fateh

This hotel is located on the coast of al Fateh in an exclusive residential area and offers picturesque views of the capital city. It is close to some of the finest dining places in Bahrain. The location is idyllic, overlooking the Arabian Sea, and seconds away from the central business district, diplomatic area and Bahrain financial harbor.

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The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel

Expensive Hotels

The hotel’s bedrooms are highly spacious and airy. It is the only hotel to offer guests a choice of room styles, including; superb suites, royal club, superior, executive rooms also others following the classic, maritime and Italian themes. All rooms are fitted with personal safes, work desks and high speed Internet links. Other facilities provided in the hotel include a swimming pool, restaurant, fitness facility spa, bar, lounge, hot tub, hair salon and conference rooms.

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The Mercure Grand Hotel Seef

Moderate Hotels

The Mercure is situated at the heart of Manama, and offers an outdoor swimming pool and a separate one for children, a health club with massage treatments, a sauna and steam room and fitness equipment. The air-conditioned public areas provide Internet access (costs extra), laundry, dry-cleaning and a business centre. Multilingual staff provides 24 hour service, currency exchange and sightseeing advice. There is free valet-parking on site. The hotel has a restaurant, a Bar with live music, and a fine-dining lounge. The guestrooms are complete with balconies, detached sitting areas and kitchenettes with microwaves, coffee/tea-makers and refrigerators, all include satellite television, high-speed Internet connections, direct- dial phones, CD players and minibars.

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Gulf Hotel Bahrain

Expensive Hotels

This hotel is perfectly located in the Manama city centre near the business and shopping district. It houses some of the biggest room sizes in Bahrain. The Gulf International Conference and Exhibition Centre is found in the building as are 8 of the top restaurants in all of Bahrain. This hotel offers extensive recreation facilities such as an outdoor pool in a tropical garden, a Jacuzzi and squash and tennis courts.