Top Tourist Spot in Bahrain

TOURISM IN BAHRAIN

Bahrain, comprises a group of thirty three islands, located within an area of 707 Sq.Kms., and is situated at the Arabian Gulf, away from the east coast of Saudi Arabia.

The state is named after its largest island Bahrain, which covers 586.5 Sq. Mts., and is linked by walkways to the Sitra (Industrial area and tank-farm) and Muharraq (international airport). There are many other small islands, though uninhabited, and are best known for their migrating birds, that pass through the autumn and spring.

Bahrain is the fashionable area of the Arab world, comprising most modern restaurants, nightlife and modern restaurants in its capital city, Manama. Though most tourists visit the country by air, the island is also linked to the mainland by King Fahad Causeway, a bridge that is 15.5 miles long.

Bahrain houses most ancient castles and fortifications that are worth visiting. Also there are mind-boggling array of historical artifacts at the Bahrain National Museum.

TOURIST SPOTS

The Soukh: Visit to Bahrain would remain incomplete without making a trip to the Soukh, which is full of sounds, aromas and colors. Everything from cloth of colors and textures to jewelry and gold and a traditional array of spices and local produce is available. The place provides modern trade facilities, and is worth visiting if not for anything else, to enjoy brightly colored fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices and nuts. The Gold Souq consists of contemporary European jewelry and the traditional Bedouin designs and other variety of styles. The Cloth Souq contains materials of all colors and textures ranging from silk to cotton and wool.

Siyadi House: Built by Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi, a pearl merchant, it has fine features to look out for, including stained glass windows, ornate ceilings, carved screens and a large safe set into the wall of an upper reception room.

Museum of Pearl Diving: Is considered as the most important historic buildings in Bahrain. It derives importance as being the first official center for Bahrain Courts. The building was inaugurated by Late H.H. Sh. Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the past Governor of Bahrain, during Calendar year 18th October, 1937. At that time the building comprised of four Supreme Courts, apart from three Directorates. Later on, during 1984 the building was transformed into a Traditional Heritage Center. Currently, the Museum of Pear Diving is under the control of Directorate of Archaeology and Heritage, one of the major Directorates of Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Information. The Museum of Pearl Diving, is considered as a source of pride to Bahrain, its governors and people from past to present.

Shaikh Isa's House: The Shaikh Isa’s house located at the old down of Muharraq, was the home of great grandfather of Amir, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa. It represents a fine example of local architecture, with a wind tower, wall carving and lattice work, indicating a traditional nineteenth century life.

Tree of Life: Standing alone in the desert about two kilometers from Jebel Dukhan, this mystic tree is a welcome shade from the day's heat, though the source of water for the tree still remains a mystery.

Oil Museum: Oil Museum is situated near the "Oil Well No.1" and was inaugurated on 2nd June 1992 to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of discovery of oil in Bahrain, which was also the first country in the Middle East to do so. The museum comprises fascinating drilling equipments, old photographs, document and the working model of an oil rig.

King Fahad Causeway: Opened during 1986, this engineering link that connects Saudi Arabia with Bahrain, is also one of the most expensive bridges in the world. The bridge traverses Umm Nasan Island, a sanctuary for wildlife, and at the halfway point there is a facility area, that comprises a restaurant, which could be visited even if one does not travel all the way to Saudi Arabia.

Riffa Golf Club: The Riffa Golf Club was designed by a leading golf designer, Karl Litton. The club covers a length of 24 hectares, and comprises landscaped shrubbery and palms to give a tropical feeling of desert terrain. The course has been created so as to match international caliber.