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Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq
A mid-twentieth-century gateway that marks the entrance to Manama's old market, a warren of lanes selling textiles, spices, gold and everyday goods.
Venue facts
Where it is
Bab Al Bahrain stands in the centre of old Manama, where the business district meets the market. Walk through or around the arch and you are in Manama Souq, a dense grid of lanes that stretches back for several blocks.
A short history
The gateway was built in the 1940s, when it stood close to the shoreline and served as a formal entrance to the town from the sea. Land reclamation in later decades pushed the coast far to the north, so the arch now sits well inland among offices and shops. It has been renovated more than once, and its white facade and arch remain one of the most photographed sights in the city.
Inside the souq
The market is organised loosely by trade. Some lanes are lined with fabric and tailoring shops, others with spices, perfumes and incense, household goods, electronics or gold and jewellery. Small cafés serve tea and snacks at pavement tables, and the area is one of the best places in Manama to try street food and traditional sweets.
The souq is a working market rather than a museum, so expect everyday shopping alongside souvenirs. Prices for many goods are negotiable, and polite bargaining is normal in smaller shops.
Visitor notes
Mornings and evenings are the liveliest and most comfortable times. Many shops close for a break in the early afternoon, and some close on Friday mornings. Dress modestly, keep an eye on the narrow traffic in the lanes, and ask before photographing shopkeepers. For a longer outing, combine the souq with a walk to the waterfront or a taxi to the National Museum.
Food in the souq
Look for bakeries turning out flatbread from clay ovens, stalls selling fresh juice, and shops that sell Bahraini halwa by weight. Small restaurants in and around the market serve rice dishes, grilled fish and South Asian staples that reflect the city's mixed communities.