Bahrain

Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in Manama. Road signs and menus in tourist areas are usually written in both Arabic and English. Arabic uses its own script, so words outside the main tourist areas may not have a Latin-alphabet translation.

Prepaid SIM cards are available from Batelco, stc, and Zain outlets at the airport and in malls. Bring your passport, since registration is required. Some internet voice-calling services are restricted. Calls through certain messaging apps may not work reliably — a local SIM or eSIM data plan avoids this.

Tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, though many residents prefer bottled water for the taste. Pharmacies are widely available, with several 24-hour options in Manama. No special vaccinations are required beyond your routine immunizations, though checking with a doctor before travel is always sensible.

Most GCC nationals can enter Bahrain without a visa. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and many other countries can get a tourist visa on arrival. An eVisa can also be arranged online before the trip. These options cover short-term tourist visits; longer trips need a different visa category.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Dress modestly outside hotels and beach resorts, covering shoulders and knees. Women visiting Al Fateh Grand Mosque should wear a headscarf and a long robe; both are available to borrow at the entrance. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours, even if you are not fasting. Use your right hand for eating and greeting. Ask permission before photographing people, and avoid photographing government or military buildings.

Friday is the Islamic holy day, so many shops and offices close in the morning and during midday prayers. During Ramadan, business hours shift: shops often open later and close after sundown, and some restaurants stay closed during the day.

• By taxi and ride-hailing: Metered taxis and apps like Uber and Careem are the easiest way to get around; there is no metro or rail network.
• By bus: Bahrain Public Transport Company runs an affordable network covering most of the main island. Pay with a rechargeable card or cash on board.
• By causeway: The King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia by road, a common way for regional visitors to arrive by car.
• By air: Bahrain International Airport, near Al-Muharraq, is the main gateway for international visitors.

Bahraini food centers on rice, seafood, and spices, shaped by centuries of trade across the Gulf. Machboos — spiced rice with chicken, lamb, or fish — is the closest thing to a national dish. Other staples include muhammar, a sweeter version of spiced rice, and grilled or fried fresh fish from the Gulf.

Bahraini halwa is a dense, gelatinous sweet flavored with saffron, cardamom, and rosewater, traditionally shared with guests. Dates are eaten year-round and given as gifts. Arabic coffee, or gahwa, is served in small cups with cardamom, often alongside dates, as a sign of hospitality.

Restaurants range from simple cafeterias serving shawarma and grilled meats to fine dining in Manama's hotels. The mix reflects Arab, Persian, and South Asian influences. Alcohol is available in licensed hotels, restaurants, and bars, unlike in some neighboring countries.

Most visitors base themselves in Manama, the capital. It is home to the National Museum, the Manama souq, and Bahrain World Trade Center, known for the wind turbines built into its skybridges. Just across the water, Al-Muharraq was Bahrain's original capital and pearling port. Its old town is now a UNESCO-listed heritage trail of restored merchant houses.

Riffa is a green, historic royal town south of Manama, worth a stop for its fort and gardens. Isa Town and Hamad Town are planned residential cities with fewer sights, but they show a more everyday side of Bahraini life away from the tourist areas.