Bahraini Hotspots
- Tasnia Mozammel
- Feb 7, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 2, 2020
Although a minuscule dot on a world map, the sovereign island-state is known as the Vegas of the GCC. Bahrain sits on the Persian Gulf and is situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, bridged by the 25 kilometre-long, King Fahd Causeway. Every weekend, the island hosts visitors coming from throughout the transcontinental region (predominantly Saudi) to enjoy Bahraini Hotspots. In this blog, I seek to share some of my favourite places to visit, from unique insta-worthy locations to mouthwatering eateries! When planning a trip to the Gulf (U.A.E., Oman, Qatar, etc.), Bahrain is a must-visit country.
NOTE: From soaring architectural staples to the actual map of the island, Bahrain is always changing. However, although every year there are new hotspots and visitor favs, some locations never get old. I seek to share a combination of classic and potentially soon-to-die-down spots all worth the visit regardless!
Below is Bahrain in SnapChat Maps. You can play I-Spy to first locate the microscopic island on your mobile device, then view public stories to enjoy a glimpse of Bahraini fun! Please excuse my three friends who don't have their Ghost Modes on.
BAB AL-BAHRAIN, MANAMA.
"Bab" in Arabic means "door." Thus, Bab al-Bahrain (Door of Bahrain) serves as a historical landmark and gateway to the Manama Souq; a classic location visited favourably by both tourists and locals. Bab al-Bahrain, located in the heart of the capital, was constructed by British advisor, Charles Belgrave, in 1941. Today, the traditional landmark is best known for its fusion foods, and Arabic antiques/souvenir shops.
Manama Souq is endless passed the entrance shops. Don't be shy to bargain for merchandise!
ROYAL CAMEL FARM, JANABIYAH.
The Royal Camel Farm is located in the Janabiyah district of Bahrain. The farm's location is conveniently close to my parents' place and is by far my most favourite spot to visit on the island. Despite my parents dreading to take me each year, they do so and received the rare opportunity to feed beautiful two-month-old baby camels in December 2020 (photographed below). Much love for them for taking me to see the camels who do not fail to leave visitors with a smile. The Royal Camel Farm is free and open to the public from 7 am-5 pm (hours may vary) and is a must-see destination. The camels used to freely walk around Janabiyah and Saar Village but now are sheltered within the farm walls.
All smiles.
MALLS
There are shopping malls around every corner in Bahrain; some literally, adjacent or across from one another. The three most popular, however, consisting of international brands are City Centre (C.C.), Seef Mall, and The Avenues, all located in the capital area. Malls in Bahrain are not just shopping centres, but are prime entertainment hubs for visitors and locals, possessing an impressive array of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and children's play areas (from indoor amusement parks to indoor water parks). Not to mention, insta-worthy backdrops.
City Centre
City Centre is the busiest mall in Bahrain. It contains three stories of entertainment including VOX Cineco, Wahooo! Indoor Water Park, Magic Planet, and more. Every mall in Bahrain also has prayer areas. The Mosque pictured below, located inside City Centre is exceptional.
Seef Mall
Seef Mall sits right beside C.C., about one-two minutes to drive around and into the next parking lot. Seef is less crowded than both C.C. and The Avenues and is more functional if you're looking to peacefully shop or watch a film. There are also several restaurants located both inside and on a beautiful walking path outside of Seef Mall.
The Avenues
The Avenues was built in 2017, and although is still being extended, is now an active and buzzing hotspot; known for its remarkable waterfront. Unlike other malls in Bahrain, The Avenues is unique for its restaurants' placement in facing Four Seasons along Bahrain Bay. The mall now also features a water taxi.
SAAR ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
Saar Archeological Site is located in Janabiyah, behind Atrium Mall. The area covers 2.25 hectares and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is free to visit and is not given much attention. However, the archeological remains of the honeycomb layout suggest the location was Dilmun Town's 4,000-year-old living complex and burial centre.
BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM
Bahrain National Museum sits adjacent to the National Theatre, and is the largest museum on the island. Entry costs about 1BHD, equivalent to approximately 3.6 CAD. Definitely worth the visit!
ZALLAQ SPRINGS
We discovered Zallaq Springs quite recently (during the pandemic). This upscale complex features stunning boutiques, cafes, and a water garden with flamingos! Perfect for a simple stroll, catching up with friends, or unique insta shots.
JASRA VILLAGE / BUDAIYA BEACH CASTLE
Al Jasra is a village situated in the coastal west of Bahrain. Circa 1907, Al Jasra still remains a proud Bahraini archaeological and heritage centre promoting traditional arts.
While social distancing and maintaining precautions, we visited both Jasra Village and Budaiya Beach on Eid al-Fitr during the pandemic (2020). To our surprise, there is a literal castle located in Budaiya Beach park. Lovely for insta shoots and sunset strolls!
EATERIES
Restaurants are ultimate hotspots in Bahrain as food of all cuisines are exceptional, and venues are major social hubs. Below, I have compartmentalized my favourite eateries based on three prime categories: socials, insta-worthy spots, and food porn. However, most successful eateries are a combination of all three.
Socials
Bahrain life has significant social-after-work or between-work culture. Although Bahrain is considerably populated by expats from a myriad of backgrounds (Europe, Americas, Africa, and Asia), it is more likely that diasporas connect on shared lived experiences as expats, opposed to particular ethnic groups. This contributes to Bahrain's extensive hotspots lined with a multitude of fusion cuisines.
Adliya. Adliya is a bohemian district in Bahrain, near the capital, Manama. The neighbourhood is best known for its boulevards of restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges. The area is a major hotspot and social hub, buzzing by locals and visitors in the evening. Although I have categorized Adliya under Socials, the area is also an exceptional location for insta-worthy shots. Some eateries I've been to in Adliya are Al Abraaj, China Garden, Lanterns, The Meat Co., and Coco's.
Juffair. Al Juffair, a district close to the capital, originally was home to the Shia Muslims in Bahrain. Today, the district is occupied by predominantly the American expat diaspora due to the convenient location of the American Navy Base. Juffair is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, flats, and villas, and hosts guests from around the globe. The area is ALWAYS buzzing and consists of both local and international cuisines. Juffair may deem parallel to the Red Light District in Amsterdam, but a more discreet version.
Seef. Adjacent to Seef Mall, there is a boulevard of restaurants and shish cafes offering both indoor and outdoor seating. During the evenings, the street lights up and is a much cozier and family oriented social hub. My favourite places to eat here are Nu Asia, and NINO. Nu Asia is an Asian fusion restaurant with exceptional flavours. My favourite dishes are the Tandoori Lamb-shank with rice, and Green chicken.
Insta-Worthy Spots
Cafes. Two of my favourite insta-worthy cafes in Bahrain are Cafe Lilou (Riffa location) and Cafe Chantilly (Janabiyah).
Cafe Lilou (collage above) is a 19th Century Parisian-inspired brasserie, decorated with an elegant balcony, and serving an instagrammable breakfast menu. There are three branches of Cafe Lilou; Riffa branch is the most insta-worthy.
Cafe Chantilly (collage below) is located in Janabiyah and is cozy. It is also a French-inspired eatery and has a fusion European menu including French, English, and Italian cuisine. There are often photoshoots taking place at Chantilly. Below is a photoshoot I modelled for (to redeem myself from all the throwback photos in this post) with photographer, Ahmed (insta: @grapher_bh), and makeup artist and great friend, Nadia (insta: @nadiaa_makeup). You can hit them up for a collab!
Brunch. Caught between brekky and lunch? Bahrain has a huge brunch culture. The island possesses some unique hotspots, offering an array of insta-worthy spots from unlimited drinks to devouring spreads with extraordinary views. Some of hotspots include The Domain, Haji's Tradition Cafe (located within the walls of Manama Souq), and Lumee (both Saar and Avenues locations), and restaurants along Bahrain Bay in The Avenues. If you're feeling spontaneous, you can even find a beach area around the corner and picnic from your car!
Wine & Dine. Some exceptional insta-worthy dine spots include The Domain, The Avenues, Four Season's, Art Rotana Amwaj, and Sofitel. There are infinite other beautiful places as well that I have yet to explore.
Food Porn
If you're a Foodie, Bahrain is undeniably the place for you. There are mouthwatering hotspots around every corner, offering unique global flavours to leave your taste buds in awe!
CINEMAS
Bahraini movie theatres are another hotspot on the island. Because Bahrain is home to multi-national/transnational expatriates, as well as native Bahrainis, shows range from Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic, and sometimes even Tamil films. Most cinema halls are located inside malls, and almost every mall has a movie theatre.
KING FAHD (SAUDI) CAUSEWAY
Driving in Bahrain is stunning. By car, all of the island can be driven in approximately 3 hours. Views during drives can shift from sand dunes to roads lined with palm trees to the endless sea. People often enter King Fahd Causeway or Saudi Causeway just for the unique experience of driving between bodies of water producing the Persian Gulf.
TREE OF LIFE
The Tree of Life is a 400-year-old Prosopis cineraria that sits on an arid part of the Arabian desert. This spot is one of Bahrain's popular landmarks, primarily visited by tourists. The 9.75 meters high tree miraculously absorbs moisture from the sand granules and has thrived, producing an abundance of lush green leaves on its thick branches. The Tree of Life is a must-see attraction, however, make sure to go on a cool day.
AL FATEH GRAND MOSQUE
Al Fateh Grand Mosque is one of the biggest mosques in the world, being able to accommodate 7,000 people simultaneously. Constructed in 1987, the area of the mosque encompasses 6,500 square meters and is decorated with internationally-imported features. The Grand Mosque, although rather a quieter location in Bahrain, is a must-visit site.
BEACHES & RESORTS
Yes, there are beaches and resorts on the island. Some of the best locations to go for a swim in the Arabian Gulf whilst soaking up the sun are Bahrain Bay, Amwaj Islands, and Durrat. Other locations include Nurana Island, Jarada Island, and Al Dar Island. Some locations offer island-hopping throughout the day as well. Below are my top locations.
Bahrain Bay
Located in the heart of Manama city, Bahrain Bay is a residential zone with private beaches facing the Bahrain World Trade Center (i.e. the scissor-like building). Although this gated area of the city was known primarily as a financial district, there are now several properties on the rise, all offering the same outstanding view.
Four Seasons. The Four Seasons Hotel was built by Bahraini King Hamad, hence the architecture forming an "H." The hotel is located on the exclusive island of Bahrain Bay and offers a luxury resort with breathtaking views.
Amwaj Islands
Art Rotana. Art Rotana has two branches in Bahrain; one in DownTown Manama, and the other in Amwaj. The Amwaj location has a breathtaking resort and private beach with sparkling blue waters.
Durrat
Remember when I said Bahrain is always changing? Durrat is Bahrain's version of the Palm Islands in Dubai and is the third-largest artificial island in Bahrain. The city is located in the southern tail, and is surrounded by the shimmering blue of the Persian Gulf!
Reef Island
Reef Island is a manmade private beach situated in Manama. The crystal-clear turquoise beach features a floating restaurant, while encircled by beach front hubs. Great hotspot to enjoy with family and friends.
Al Dar Islands
Al Dar Island is a ten-minute boat ride from the coast of Sitra and is a great hub for a day-trip! Whether planning a party, barbecues, or simply looking to sunbathe, Al Dar's happening vibe will make you feel like you've stepped into the Caribbean.
Jarada Island
Jarada Island is known as the disappearing island in Bahrain and has become a significant tourist attraction due to its crystal clear waters and narrow golden sand that runs in a horseshoe shape, only appearing according to the tide. Jarada is a 45-minute boat ride from Amwaj Marina, and is completely worth the trip!
PHOTO GALLARY
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