Things to do in  Manama

One of the best ways to delve into Bahrain’s history is to visit Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Persian Gulf’s most important archaeological sites. The most important artifacts from the ancient Dilmun Empire were found here, telling a lot about the power of Dlimun and its successors in the Tylos and Islamic periods.

As the largest mosque in Bahrain, Al Fateh Grand Mosque can accommodate up to 7,000 Muslim worshippers at any one time. Named after the founder of Bahrain, the structure boasts the largest fiberglass dome in the world, and was built using marble from Italy, glass from Austria, and wood from India.

Bahrain National Museum traces 6,000 years of the country’s history and is one of the island’s most popular attractions. Inside, nine halls are filled with exhibits and relics representing local culture. Highlights include an enormous satellite image of Bahrain, archaeological artifacts from ancient Dilmun, and a replica souk.

Over 400 years old, Bahrain’s mystical Tree of Life (Shajarat-al-Hayat) is one of the country’s top attractions. No one really knows how this ancient mesquite is still alive, as the area receives very little rainfall and there is no known source of water, though some believe that the tree was part of the Biblical Garden of Eden and has magical powers.

This sprawling park is dedicated to conserving and breeding indigenous Arabian wildlife species. Inside, you can see many colorful land- and water-based creatures, including Arabian onyx, emus, ostriches, camels, pygmy goats, flamingos, and llamas.

Al Hayat Museum (Beit Al Quran)—its name translates as House of the Quran—is dedicated entirely to the Islamic holy book. Housed in a building based on the 12th-century Al Khamis Mosque, the museum is home to a 50,000-strong library of Islam-focused books, including Qurans written on parchment, rice, peas, and grains.

This classic example of Islamic fort architecture dates back to the 15th century when Arad Fort used to guard its own island, which today is connected to Muharraq Island. While it’s one of Bahrain’s smaller forts, it offers excellent skyline and sea views.

Go back to 1869, when Shaikh Isa bin Alik Al Khalifa (one of the longest rulers of Bahrain) was sovereign, at Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House. Walk through his royal home and grounds to see a fine example of preserved period architecture, including intricate wall carvings, staircases, archways, and courtyards.