Exploring Bahrain in nice cool winter weather

In cool winter weather – it was good to explore Bahrain. Staying centrally, near Bab Al Bahrain and the souq –  it was a convenient location to see the city.

Beit Al Quran

I first visited Beit Al Quran 20 years ago, and it’s unchanged but still a must-see in the country. The Qurans range from opulent to simple, all well displayed over a multi-level ramped floor.

Bronze pieces Dilmun period Bahrain National Museum
Bronze pieces Dilmun period Bahrain National Museum

Not far from Beit Al Quran is the National Museum, which seems to have expanded recently. It principally covers the history of Bahrain, with a focus on the Dilmun period – from 2030BC through to, at the most recent, around 600BC.

Al Fadhel Mosque Manama

Walking between these two museums is the Al Fadhel Mosque, one of several in Bahrain with geometric tiling on the minaret.

Madbasah – date juice extractor – in the Pearling Path – Bahrain.

East, beyond the National Museum, is Muharraq. Here the government is creating a ‘Pearling Path’, to encourage a walking exploration of the general area. Along the walk is an old warehouse that was used to wholesale dates and their extracts.

Tony at Qalat Bahrain
Tony at Qalat Bahrain

To the north of the island is Qalat Al Bahrain. This is an archaeological tell, which has evidence of occupation from around 3000BC.

Qalat Bahrain
Qalat Bahrain

On top of the tell is a fort, that appears to date back to the 6th century. It was rebuilt and used by Portugal from about 1529 until the start of the 17thc.

Bahrain is known for its vast pre-historic grave field.

Dilmun Burial Mounds
Dilmun Burial Mounds

Over 20000 graves are under small tumuli. However, there is a group of much larger ‘Dilmun Royal Burial Mounds’. These are located within a modern housing area.

Dilmun Royal Burial Mound
Dilmun Royal Burial Mound

Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman