When In Manama: Places You Need To Visit In Bahrain’s Capital
For everyone who likes traveling in the Middle East, the island of Bahrain needs to be on your radar. Excluding the Riffa Clock Tower, the Harbour Towers, and the Bahrain International Circuit, there is a huge number of places to visit. For example, the capital of Bahrain, Manama, is somewhere you have got to visit. Don’t worry, you won’t be lost, because we know just what you need to visit there. Here are seven places in Manama to enjoy.
Bab Al Bahrain
This historical building is right in the heart of Manama. Standing since 1949, the building houses the government’s administrative offices. With a British design, Bab Al Bahrain is the old Manama souq, meaning it’s a market. It has a variety of shops from all over the world and coffee shops in its alleys. Visit it now for an unprecedented cultural experience.
Shri Krishna Temple
The Shri Krishna Temple represents the relationship between Bahrain and India. Built in 1817, the temple is filled with heritage and is solely dedicated to Lord Shrinathjii. The holy temple is filled with prayers and pictures of deities. Moreover, you can go visit it to see the architecture and artistic walls as well as to sit in the open area. It’s like going on holiday in India but in Bahrain.
Bahrain National Museum
The Bahrain National Museum has cultural and historical collections that take you back in time. There’s the Burial Mounds room, Dilmun room, Tylos room, Islam room, and much more. It’s also the home of 6,000-year-old archaeological collections. It exhibits a number of fossils and replica skins for a lot of marine life that are as old as dinosaurs. No trip to Bahrain would be complete without a visit to the Bahrain National Museum.
La Fontaine Center of Contemporary Art
Close to Manama’s souq, you can find the La Fontaine center of contemporary art stands, which is over 150 years old and unlike anywhere else in the Middle East. The center is an architectural masterpiece, blending the vibe of European castles with Islamic architecture. What used to be a house is now a center for art, as it hosts art galleries, an open-air venue, a dance studio, and a luxurious dining restaurant. Be sure to stop by when in Bahrain for a European experience.
Bahrain National Theatre
The National Theatre is huge. Inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, it has 1001 seats and wooden interiors. Overlooking the sea, the building has hosted some of the biggest international performances under its roof. However, it’s not just one of the largest auditoriums in the Arab world, it also has a smaller hall, a cafeteria, and an outdoor hall with a lake as its view. It’s a must-visit stop on your next trip to Manama.
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
It is the biggest mosque in Bahrain and one of the largest mosques in the world. Built in 1987, the mosque is also the home of the National Library of Bahrain. Due to its huge space, it can hold up to 7,000 worshippers at once. One of its most incredible facts is that its huge dome is completely made out of fiberglass and weighs 60 megagrams. It’s a source of pride for Bahrain, and if you’re interested in Islamic architecture, you should definitely pay it a visit.
Tree of Life
Though it’s 40 kilometers away from Manama, the Tree of Life is sure worth the drive. The Tree of Life stands on a hill in the Arabian Desert. It was perhaps given that name because despite being 400 years old, having no obvious source of water, and being in the desert where it’s extremely hot, it continues to grow green branches. It is 9.75 meters high, experiences extreme temperature changes, and is a natural miracle that’s definitely worth seeing.
