Bahrain

Understand

Bahrain is the smallest of the independent Persian Gulf states, and has often had to walk a diplomatic tightrope in relation to its larger neighbours. The country has few oil reserves, but it has established itself as a hub for refining and for international banking, while also achieving a socially liberal monarchy. A string of political unrest culminating in the demonstrations in 2011 and the subsequent brutal government crackdown exposed significant discomfort as well as sectarian and social cleavages. Although the population is predominantly Shi'a Muslim, the royal family is Sunni Muslim. Despite being much closer to Qatar, the Hawar Islands are part of Bahrain after a long, drawn-out sovereignty dispute between the two nations, with the International Court of Justice affirming sovereignty to Bahrain in 2002. It displays relative social liberalism compared with more conservative neighbouring countries, where Islamic law is applied in a much stricter way. For example, alcohol is legal here. Although Bahrain has a heavily petroleum-based economy, its political, social, and cultural peculiarities helped it develop a fairly cosmopolitan middle class and a politically conscious working class. Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic.

Electricity The standard is 220 V 50 Hz. Most outlets are the British standard BS 1363 type. U.S., Canadian and Continental European travellers should pack converters/adapters for these outlets if they plan to use their electrical equipment in Bahrain.

Climate The best time to visit Bahrain is November–March, with October and April being just bearable. Take along a sweater during December–February as evenings can be cool (about 15 °C/60 °F). Bahrain's summer, May–September, is very hot and humid, though occasional cool northerly winds provide some relief. More frequent are the qaws, the hot, dry summer winds that can bring sandstorms. Rain is occasional, and happens only in the winter season.

History Bahrain has a rich history going b

Getting there

Visa

Citizens of 69 countries may obtain a 14-day visa-on-arrival, while citizens of 114 countries, including all those eligible for a visa-on-arrival, are eligible to apply for a 14-day online visa. Check the web-site of the Ministry of Interior for the latest details. If your nationality is not eligible for either of these, or if you are visiting for purposes other than tourism or business, you will require a sponsor in Bahrain to file your visa application for you. With the normalisation of relations between Bahrain and Israel in 2020, Israeli citizens are now eligible for the online visa. The cost of visa on arrival is 5BD, while an e-Visa costs 9BD. At airport you just obtain and pay for your visa on arrival as you go through the regular immigration, thus there is no point in getting an e-Visa of you're eligible for visa on arrival. Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) do not need a visa to enter Bahrain and may stay indefinitely. A short stay visa will be granted on arrival to residents of GCC member states as well regardless of nationality.

By plane

1 Bahrain International Airport. (BAH IATA), in Muharraq just east of Manama, is the main base for flag carrier Gulf Air and has excellent connections throughout the region and to London and to South-East Asia. The airport has good duty-free shopping and has a transit hotel (Bahrain Airport Hotel), with sleeping pods (3 hours provided free to those with Priority Pass/LoungeKey provided by many credit cards) and rooms. There is a contract lounge as well, accessible to business-class passengers of non-Gulf Air airlines (Gulf Air passengers have their own Falcon lounge), and holders of many credit cards including those under the DragonPass programme (but not Priority Pass). Many residents of eastern Saudi Arabia choose to fly out via Bahrain, and Gulf Air offers shuttle services to Khobar and Dammam to cater to this market; i

Getting around

By taxi

The official rates start at BD 1 plus 0.200 fils per kilometre. Cabbies will often ask for ridiculous prices. Most taxis now use their meters. The airport gives guidelines as to the official way of calculating taxi fares. An extra BD 2 will be added if you take a taxi waiting at the airport. On the whole taxis offer a good service but you do encounter some bandits. When travelling from the airport always use the white with red roof or London-style taxis. There is a rule if the meter is not used there is no charge; hold your ground on this and call the police, and the driver will cooperate very quickly with the correct fare for the trip. Finding a taxi can be difficult, although major hotels and malls usually have a few waiting outside. Some privately owned companies operate in the kingdom, the most popular of which are:

Speedy Motor Service Radio-Meter Taxis SMS Radio-Meter Taxi is the oldest & most popular radio-meter taxi company in the Kingdom, and the most reliable. Advance booking of taxi is possible, and they operate a 24-hour service, 365 days a year. Be punctual – they can come a few minutes before the time you gave. ☏ +973 17 682 999 Bahrain Taxi Online Get meter taxi online within 10 minutes. ☏ +973 3668 8614 Bahrain Limo is the sister company of the transport giant "Saudi Bahraini Transport Company" (SABTCO) which provides luxurious bus and limousine services across the King Fahad Causeway. Bahrain Taxi Group Radio taxi services with more than 973 taxi drivers driving orange and white cars equipped with radio meters and most of them with credit card devices. Booking online taxi services is available and can be applied by filling the form and with placing a call to call centre ☏ +973 6696 6976. However, there have been occasional reports of taxi drivers trying to charge overly expensive fares (like BD 50 for a short trip, when it should be BD 5), though they are generally rare. Sticking to the official taxi services is usually your best bet. Th

See

Despite being an island, don't expect to find any good beaches (unless they are private and part of a resort hotel). Where there are beaches, they are usually construction sites or used as a dump for construction waste.

1 Qala'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) (located off the northern shore and is a five to ten minute drive away from Manama city). It is restored and in good condition although it lacks furniture, signage, or exhibits. If you visit on a hot day, go to the museum afterwards where it is cool and has a cafe. Admission is free. (updated Mar 2024) 2 Qal'at Al-Bahrain Site Museum (Next door to the fort). 8AM-2PM daily. Museum, completed in February 2008, which contains many artefacts ranging from the ancient Dilmun periods through the Islamic era, many of which were found at the fort and additional ruins next door. The museum is a large rectangular and white building with absolutely no signs to indicate that it is a museum. Part of the building is a cafe with views over the sea.