Family days out

Ideas for family-friendly days in Bahrain, planned around the heat and short attention spans.

Bahrain is an easy place to travel with children: distances are short, families are welcome almost everywhere, and many attractions are indoors or along the water. The key is to plan outdoor time for the cooler parts of the day.

Museums first

The Bahrain National Museum works well for families, with boats, reconstructed homes and a burial mound that bring history to life. Pair it with a walk along the waterfront outside.

Forts and ruins

Qal'at al-Bahrain and Arad Fort are exciting places for children to explore, but surfaces are uneven and walls can be high. Keep a close eye on younger children, and visit in the late afternoon in the cooler months.

Souq adventures

A short evening walk in the souq, with sweets and fresh juice as rewards, is a good introduction to local life. Watching halwa being made or bread baked in clay ovens is popular with children.

Desert and nature

The Tree of Life makes a short desert excursion, and wildlife areas and parks around the islands offer animals and greenery. Bring water and hats, and keep trips short in warm weather.

Beaches and pools

Hotel beaches and pools are the easiest way to cool off. Public beaches exist too; check facilities and conditions, and follow local dress norms outside hotel areas.

Keeping it comfortable

Build days around a single main activity and plenty of breaks. Carry water, snacks and hats; plan indoor time between late morning and late afternoon in warm months; and use taxis rather than long walks between sights. Many cafés and restaurants welcome children, and families are a familiar sight everywhere in the evenings.

Learning together

Older children often enjoy the stories behind the places: Dilmun traders sailing between great civilisations, divers holding their breath on the pearl beds, and a lonely tree surviving centuries in the desert. A visit to the National Museum first gives them the background to recognise these stories later in the trip.