Bahrain Overview

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. It lies to the east of Saudi Arabia and to the north west of Qatar. It’s ruled by Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah and its capital is Manama, also known as Al Manamah, which is situated in the north of Bahrain’s main island. 

Getting to Bahrain

Bahrain’s main airport, Bahrain International Airport, is situated in the north of the country, about 4km from Manama. A number of airlines operate international flights from the U.K. to Bahrain International Airport.

Bahrain International Circuit

Bahrain International Circuit, the venue for the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, is situated in Sakhir, a desert area which is about half an hour’s drive from Bahrain International Airport. Bahrain International Circuit opened in 2004 and is also used for many other motorsports, including the Australian V8 Supercars series and drag racing.

The 3.36 mile long Grand Prix circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and includes four straights and 14 turns.

Bahrain Hotels

You’ll find plenty of hotels to choose from in Bahrain’s capital city, Manama. The luxurious Sheraton Bahrain Hotel (6 Palace Avenue, Manama), for example, has 260 guest rooms, three restaurants, a cocktail bar, a gym, tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool, and is only about 7km from the airport, in the city’s business district.

Other hotels in Manama include the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa, the Intercontinental Regency Bahrain, the Crowne Plaza Bahrain and the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, as well as many other independent hotels and guest houses.

Unfortunately, hotels in Bahrain tend to increase their prices dramatically for the Grand Prix weekend, so it’s a good idea to shop around and book as early as you can if you want a cheap deal.

Attractions in Bahrain

If you are thinking about extending your trip to Bahrain, so you can explore some of this beautiful country as well as watching the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do. Attractions in the capital city, Manama, include the Bahrain National Museum, where you can see exhibits relating to the history of Bahrain, and the Museum of Pearl Diving, as well as historic buildings such as the beautiful Siyadi House, which was built for a pearl merchant, and the Barbar Temple.

You can also shop in Manama’s souqs and malls, or head off to another location in Bahrain, such as the cities of Muharraq and Riffa.

Essential Information

If you’re visiting Bahrain, be aware that it is an Islamic country, so it’s important to dress appropriately at all times. Most businesses and attractions are closed on Fridays as this is a holy day in Islam.

The currency used in Bahrain is the Bahraini Dinar and the time zone is GMT+3. The official language is Arabic, although you will find that English is spoken by many people.

Image: Emily Faulk