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Arad Fort
A square fort with round corner towers on Muharraq Island, restored with traditional materials and lit up at night.
Venue facts
Where it is
Arad Fort stands near the shore of Muharraq Island, a short drive from the airport and from the old town of Muharraq. It looks out over the shallow lagoon between Muharraq and the main island, with the Manama skyline on the horizon.
What you will see
The fort is compact and easy to take in: a square enclosure with a round tower at each corner, thick walls and a small courtyard. It is a classic example of Gulf fort design, built for defence rather than residence. The shallow waters around it were part of its protection, since larger ships could not easily approach.
A short history
The fort's origins are generally placed before the nineteenth century, and it played a role in guarding the approaches to Muharraq at a time when the island was the heart of the pearling economy. By the later twentieth century it had decayed badly. A careful restoration used traditional materials and methods, including coral stone, lime mortar and palm trunks, so that the repaired walls match the original construction rather than modern concrete.
Visitor notes
A visit rarely takes more than an hour, so Arad combines well with an afternoon in Muharraq's old town or along the Pearling Path. The fort is floodlit after dark, and the lawns and shoreline around it are popular with families on cool evenings. Check access arrangements before visiting the interior, as these can change.
Around the fort
The fort sits among open lawns and walkways along the lagoon, a popular place for evening walks and family picnics in the cool season. From the shoreline you can watch planes descending towards the nearby airport and the skyline of Manama lighting up across the water. Small cafés and the lanes of old Muharraq are a short drive away.