Experiences in Bahrain
Lose yourself in labyrinthine Manama Souk in Old Manama
I haven’t ever actually watched Aladdin and I don’t know where he’s meant to be from, but I’m pretty sure I found his cave in Bahrain.
Manama Souq – behind Bab Al Bahrain – is a tight knot of narrow streets and alleyways with traders selling a wealth of goods, from heady spices and perfumes to gold and sheesha bottles.
But it’s impossible to navigate if you’re a tourist. Which is where the terrific Local Ppl guides come in. Founders Zain and Hessa are Bahrain locals and passionate about showing what Bahrain travel has to offer.
They run a handful of tours – one of which covers Manama Souq – which will also include a visit to the spectacular Shrinathji temple. They’ll show you the best spots and also help you out if you want to buy something. Just don’t forget to haggle!
Feed adorable (and strong!) baby camels
I’m really just a humble camel girl at heart. Pictured are two year old babies and they are already big and very strong, almost pulling me off my feet when I was feeding them leaves (main image)!
This was at The Royal Camel Farm in Bahrain, which is not officially advertised as a tourist spot but it’s open to the public every day from 8am to around 5pm and it’s free to enter.
The workers are happy to show the camels owned by the royal family and you can feed these babies too. They’re not sold or bred for eating or production, merely preservation.
The place exists purely for the royal family to preserve the heritage of camel rearing in Bahrain (when cars started to outnumber them as a preferred method of transport), a cultural connection which goes back centuries. But do drop the workers a little tip as they don’t earn much.
Go souvenir crazy at the Bahrain handicrafts center
You can buy some really beautiful items at the arts and crafts centre in the village of Al Jasra. And what’s great is you can watch them being made and see the skill that goes into each item.
There are individual shops showcasing crafts that many of the villages in this Middle Eastern country have historically produced. Such as musical instruments, beautiful cloth, metal work, baskets and pottery.
Don’t miss the music shop where the really lovely owner is a proper showman and will likely play you a tune. I even got to try my hand at the pottery wheel myself, something I’ve wanted to do for ages! Great fun. I feel I might take it up back home.
Close by is Al Jasra House, one of the several historic homes around Bahrain that’s been restored to its original glory. I absolutely loved the architecture, such beautiful arches. It’s constructed from coral stone supported by palm tree trunks. Al Jasra House is also the birthplace of the Late Amir His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
Sweet tooth? Then you’ll love halwa Bahraini
You may well have come across halva before, a dense sweet you find in many a Middle Eastern country. But you’ve unlikely had halwa Bahraini unless you’ve been there. Unlike many Asian countries where halwa is prepared with semolina or flour, the halwa from Bahrain uses corn starch and rapeseed oil.
The end product has a gel like consistency similar to soft nougat and as well as crunchy nuts, you’ll detect cardamom, saffron and nutmeg. Friendly Bahrain locals will offer you some at every possible opportunity, usually served with Arabic coffee.
Most halwa stores in Bahrain bear the name of the Showaiter family, a dynasty that has been synonymous with halwa in Bahrain for over a century. This is the place to try it and buy it. I was even allowed to pop into the factory to see the stuff being made – it takes a lot of skill!
I’ll be honest, I much prefer the solid and brittle versions of halwa you can find in other countries in this part of the world. I found the Bahrain version to be far to sweet (it’s essentially pure sugar) and I wasn’t sold on the texture. But it’s certainly worth trying and if the seriously sweet stuff is your bag, you’ll probably love it.
Marvel at the kaleidoscope of local fresh produce at the Farmers’ Market
Not much can grow in the desert, right? Think again. There are a load of farmers in little Bahrain and they sell their beautiful wares at the island’s gorgeous farmers markets – they are an absolute must visit.
Visit the one in Salmabad, open every day from 8am – 3pm. It’s in a pristine and air conditioned building run by the government to support local farmers. Crammed full of gorgeous colourful produce, it’s perfect for a visit at any time of year and a great place to have breakfast too.
Cook and eat with a lovely Italian chef expat in her Bahrain home
Wonderful Chef Susy Massetti from Milan! As my dad said, he’s never met someone who speaks so passionately about a country they’re not actually from. This lady really loves Bahrain and is Head Chef at high-end restaurant there called Masso. So understandably, she is a mean cook.
She has a beautiful big house with a few ducks and chickens, several dogs and a gorgeous kitchen where she hosts her fabulous cooking classes. She’s effervescent and a real joy to be around. Her classes really are a must for anyone who visits Bahrain, whether you’re skilled in the kitchen or not.
Kayak on the Arabian Gulf and have a beach BBQ at sunset
Beach culture in Bahrain comes in the form of Beach Culture itself, a natural water sports centre. None of their activities are motorized, meaning they’re environmentally friendly and work with the elements.
You can go paddle boarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking and even SUP yoga (on a paddle board!). Their certified instructors offer different types of lessons and if you’re already an expert, you can hire out the gear from Beach Culture to go off on your own.
If water sports aren’t your thing, they also offer awesome ‘chill’ beach sessions. We had a little kayak exploration by sunset, followed by an awesome beach BBQ at Nurana Beach.
It’s a great way to round up a group of friends or family, eat some tasty food, listen to some live traditional music and laze about under the stars until the small hours.
