Bahrain travel guide

Travellers to the Middle East are often attracted by the fables of exotic markets, locally known as Souqs. A hap-hazardly connected labyrinth of alleyways and stalls selling everything from rare oils to bizarre spices. Well, there aren't that many old-school markets left. The one in Manama is undoubtedly the closet things the country has to this type of portal to yesteryear. Bab al Bahrain (gate of Bahrain) is the entrance to the city's souq. And while you're more likely to find stalls with socks and underwear or cheap plastic toys from China, there are still a few hidden corners that would belong in the Arabian Nights. The best way to explore is to do away with any sort of map and wander until you're lost, then found, then lost again.

Bahrain only has 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites and Bahrain Fort, Qal'at al-Bahrain, is deservingly one of them. This finely restored fort lies pretty on the waterfront with a backdrop of Manama skyline. It's real fort with moat and high protective walls. Evidence shows that the site has been occupied since 2300 BC, but the fort you see today is from the 16th century and built by the Portuguese. The grounds of the fort are popular for strolls and running at sunset. The villages right to the south of the fort as been known as "painted village" due to the pastel coloured murals on the houses, but they are now fainted, dusty and seem in disrepair – a stark contrast to the otherwise fine Bahrain Fort.

Bahrain Fort Beach is the closest you get to a city beach in Manama. It's dirty and not particular appealing, but you're not going to lie here and sunbath anyway, perhaps a stroll in the evening. Bahrain Fort Beach is not the real name, as it hasn't got a name on the maps, but it's right next to Karbabad Beach, which is not a beach, but a mix of construction site and rocky shore with docked fishing boats.

Durrat Al Bahrain is one of those man-made islands with luxury homes the Gulf countries are so famous for. Though not as grand as Palm Islands (not completed) or The World (far from completed) in Dubai or Pearl Qatar (not completed) in Qatar, Durrat Al Bahrain is still one of those crazy megaprojects, which are only feasible due to oil money. Unfortunately, the island is closed off for the public, so unless you know someone who lives there, you won't be let through the security gate on the mainland – we didn't.

Bahrain largest mosque is Al-Fatih Mosque. It was built in 1984 and can hold about 7000 worshipers at a time. It's possible to visit the mosque as a none-muslim. A guide will be provided free of charge and they will proudly point out that every bit of the mosque come from somewhere else in the world. The carpet from Ireland, the marble from Italy, the massive chandelier from Austria, the glass lamps from France, the wood for the pulpit (minbar) from India, and so on. It's a great way to get a introduction to Islam, if you don't much about it.

Bahrain is not exactly a beach destination. Most beaches here belong to resorts and hotels, but there are a few decent public beaches. Jazair Beach on the west coast is considered to be one of the best. It's long, kind of sandy, and there are a few shady shelters which provide protection from the fierce sun. Since it's obvious not a place to stroll around in your bikini, it's mostly used for picnics and such – or not used at all.

Khamis Mosque is the oldest mosque in Bahrain, and one of the oldest in the region. The original mosque was built in the beginning of 8th century, but has since been reconstructed several times. The twin minarets were added in the 15th century and are a bit unusual. The location in modern day Manama is also a bit odd, on a corner to a big road among workshops.

Middle Eastern capitals often sell themselves as modern and exotic, but very often they are little more than a collection of supermalls, construction sites, and shinny office buildings in geometrical shapes. At first sight, Manama isn't anything different – it even lacks of any flamboyant twist, contrary to like Dubai and Doha – but when you venture into the winding lanes of downtown Manama or the neighbourhood of Muharraq (near the airport), you will see a very less modern and lively city. Here the traditional dressed Arabs are easily outnumbered by migrant workers from all over Asia. In these quarters there are always a scent of spices and it's possible to have a brilliant meal for a few dinars. Bahrain's liberal attitude to their expats also mean you can find a cold beer (legally), if you look hard enough.

It's always good travel fun to peek over a border, particularly when the other country is off limits like Saudi Arabia. Though Bahrain is an island, it has been connected to Saudi Arabia with series of bridges, called the King Fahd Causeway. The border is in the middle on an artificial island, called Passport Island. You can visit the island, whether or not you are going to Saudi Arabia and have look around (only on the Bahraini side). Since the island is halfway between the two countries, there are 12 km to the Saudi Arabian mainland, meaning there isn't an awful lot to see, beside a tiny Saudi Arabian skyline in the hazy horizon. However, there are two watch towers under construction, so the view might improve slightly in the near future.

A tree that seems to get by without water in the middle of the desert. Locals consider the tree almost like a miracle – however, tourists are often less enchanted by this freak of nature. There exist different scientific explanations of how this tree has managed to survive for so many years, when there isn't any known water source for miles, but nothing has been proved. The tree stands about an hour drive from Manama (far away in Bahraini scale), a journey that goes through the Bahraini desert. Not a pretty trip, as some might think, as the desert landscape is scattered with oil rigs, overland pipelines, and power lines, but certainly a fascinating one.