Exploring Bahrain: The Pearl Of The Persian Gulf / By Richard Jones / Publisher LLM Magazine

After whizzing around a go-kart track at speeds of 45mph, I was expecting my next activity in Bahrain to be much more sedate. Paired with affable thoroughbred Rooah, we leisurely made our way past Bahrain Fort and onto the beach next to Dilmun Harbour. 

However, as we exited the sand, Rooah clearly thought I was being too lenient with the leash and decided to drop to her knees have lie down, sending her embarrassed rider out of the saddle.

It was the first, and hopefully the last, time I’d been ‘thrown from a horse’, but thankfully there was no damage done, and once I was reunited with Rooah, we happily trotted back to The Fort Club stables.

When my family and friends asked if Bahrain was ‘safe’ prior to the trip, I’m not sure this was what they had in mind. Nevertheless, after spending the best part of a week in the peaceful Persian Gulf hot spot, I can confirm it is safe in every sense.

Modern Bahrain

Bahrain, nowadays, is a cool mix of tradition and modernity

Located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to which it is now connected by the King Fahd Causeway, Bahrain was once a key spice, cloth and pearl trading post in the Middle East.

Nowadays, it’s a cool mix of tradition and modernity, with visitors able to use cards and apps, as well as dinars or dollars, to pay for dining, services and goods in the bustling souks, quaint coffee shops, traditional Bahraini restaurants, dazzling luxury hotels, glitzy shopping malls and upscale cocktail bars.

Getting to Bahrain is surprisingly straightforward. There are daily direct flights from the UK with the country’s national carrier Gulf Air, as well as British Airways, meaning you can be in the capital Manama in just over six hours. 

And once you’ve touched down, travelling around the archipelago is also a breeze.

Bahrain is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its 33 natural islands and dozens of other man-made pieces of land adding up to roughly the same size as New York City. As the Kingdom continues to grow and develop, it is becoming a fascination for holidaymakers, especially during the winter months when there is very little rain in Bahrain and daytime temperatures remain in the mid 20s.

Hotels

The Merchant House is a boutique property with a rooftop pool and impressive artwork collection

I checked out a few of its best hotels during my stay, beginning with The Art Hotel on Amwaj Islands, 10km north of Manama.

I had breakfast from the huge buffet in the appropriately named Choices Restaurant, before relaxing in the three swimming pools and on the expansive manicured beach next to the harbour. Then at night, I dined in one of the resort’s five restaurants, the Italian-themed Rosso, tucking into delicious seafood pasta and pizza.

A few hundred yards from The Art Hotel is the all-inclusive Solymar Hotel, with its acclaimed 25 N 50 Eatery and Level 15 rooftop pool and bar. 

Its sister property, Solymar Beach, is one of the archipelago’s best spots for a Friday brunch, when you’ll get to share the garden with its friendly resident peacocks.

Back in Manama, I spent a couple of nights in The Merchant House, next to the Bab Al Bahrain Souq. This boutique property also has a cool rooftop pool and the upscale Indigo Terrace restaurant, but its best feature is its astonishing artwork, with a Warhol and a Picasso among the pieces adorning the walls.

Many of the world’s major hotel chains are represented in Bahrain, and when in Manama, your eyes will be drawn to the spectacular skyline created by the Four Seasons, Crowne Plaza, Wyndham Grand, Hilton Garden Inn and the brand-new Hotel Kempinski’s three high-rise towers.

I was taken on a tour of historic The Gulf Hotel resort, and the Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, an exclusive enclave of private villas in the centre of the main island, next the Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve.

Food and drink

There are dining options to suit every palate in Bahrain

From cafés serving traditional Middle Eastern food to high-end restaurants showcasing global gastronomic delights, there are dining options to suit every palate in Bahrain.

During the days, tour guide Muhammad treated me to slow-cooked lamb and sumptuous seafood at Al Abraaj; pitta, humous and eggplant at Palestine Nights; and chilo chicken kebabs at FM Location on Bahrain Bay. As a coffee lover, I was in my element, with the liquorice-tinged coffee at Bindaira café and the Turkish coffee at Cinnamon in Souq Bab Al Bahrain, among the beverage delicacies.

The Miami-style Pelican Club has a reputation for being one of the best restaurants and hangouts in Manama. I joined Ian from Visit Bahrain for fine wine, empanadas, butter-fried veal Milanese and chocolate fondue, before moving onto Roka, an exclusive rooftop bar on the eight floor of Pearl House.

When I wasn’t spending time relaxing in the hotels and eating my way around Bahrain, I found plenty to see and do.

History

Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Bahrain is well worth a visit

The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient Dilmun Burial Mounds and the Bahrain Fort (Qal’at Al Bahrain) archaeological site.

I was taken on a tour of Al Fateh Grand Mosque – home to what was once the largest fibreglass dome in the world – as well as the National Museum and Bab Al Bahrain Souq, perfect for picking up spices, perfume, gold and jewellery.

During a walk on the Pearling Path on Muharraq Island, I learned more about Bahraini life before the discovery of oil.

Its museum is well worth a visit, as is 100-year-old coffee shop Bu Khalaf, and the numerous outlets selling sweets produced by the Jamal Showaiter Halwa dynasty.

Adventure

Royal Bahrain Golf Course

Sports lovers are also in their element in Bahrain.

The day before I arrived at the Royal Golf Club to play 18 holes, the lush green course had hosted a prestigious DP World Tour event, while the Bahrain International Circuit was gearing up to stage the 22nd edition of the country’s F1 Grand Prix. I went for a spin on the adjacent 1.4km, 14-turn go-kart track.

On my final night, I made a beeline for what many consider the best resort in the country, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.

I sat down for a delightful beachside dinner, courtesy of Byblos’ executive chef Tony El Khoury, against a backdrop of illuminated mosques and twinkling skyscrapers. From there, a group of us made the short journey to Manama’s famous Block 338, an area packed with Irish bars, steakhouses and cocktail hangouts.

Despite the country’s deeply Islamic culture, alcohol is widely available in JJ’s, McGettigan’s and Botánica. And unlike those infamous ‘strips’ at other popular holiday destinations, there was no sign of trouble or rowdiness, with the bars full of welcoming locals and relaxed visitors.

Displays at the Bahrain National Museum

In a nutshell

Admittedly, Bahrain might not be the first place that springs to mind if you’re planning a winter vacation, but if you’re bored with the Canaries or Dubai, it is ideal for an adventurous trip, peaceful holiday, cultural city break, or intriguing stopover destination. Whatever your reason for visiting the Pearl of the Persian Gulf, rest assured, it’s a safe bet.

Factbox

Richard Jones was a guest of Visit Bahrain.

Five nights bed and breakfast at the five-star Art Hotel and Resort available from £649pp for select June dates, or five nights bed and breakfast at the five-star The Merchant House from £899pp for select May dates. To book, visit destination2.co.uk.

Gulf Air flies to Bahrain daily direct from Manchester and London Heathrow, while British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow.

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers – and in 2025 its customers saved an average of £200 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance.

Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. Seven days’ Meet and Greet parking at Manchester Airport Terminal Two is available from £107.99. Entry into the Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport Terminal Two is available from £43.99.