Bahrain is a small island country in the Gulf, joined to Saudi Arabia by a long causeway, with a history of pearl diving and ancient trade. Distances are short, so the whole country is easy to see from Manama.
Bahrain for visitors
In Manama, Bab Al Bahrain is the gateway to the old souq, the Bahrain National Museum covers thousands of years of the island's past, and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque welcomes visitors. On the north coast, Qal'at al-Bahrain is a Portuguese-era fort built on the remains of much older settlements. Across the bay, Muharraq has restored merchants' houses along the Pearling Path, which tells the story of the pearl trade. Inland, thousands of ancient burial mounds dot the landscape around A'ali. The south is desert, with the Tree of Life, a lone tree that grows without any visible water source, and the motor-racing circuit at Sakhir. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way around, and many visitors rent a car.
Time in Bahrain
Bahrain has one time zone, Asia/Bahrain, and is on UTC+3 all year, the same time as Riyadh and Kuwait. Right now Manama is 3 hours ahead of London, 1 hour behind Dubai and 2 hours 30 minutes behind Mumbai. The weekend is Friday and Saturday. During Ramadan, working hours are shorter and life moves into the evening, after the fast is broken.
Climate and weather
Bahrain has a hot desert climate, made humid by the warm sea all around it. In Manama, average highs reach 40°C in July, and even in January average lows only fall to 15°C. Rain is scarce: about 85 mm a year, on around 13 days, all in the cooler months. The island gets about 3,390 hours of sunshine a year.
- Manama
- Dubai
Show the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manama | 20.7 | 22.0 | 25.5 | 30.6 | 36.1 | 38.6 | 39.7 | 39.6 | 37.7 | 34.0 | 28.0 | 22.9 |
| Dubai | 24.4 | 26.1 | 28.9 | 33.7 | 38.2 | 40.3 | 41.5 | 41.9 | 39.5 | 35.9 | 30.7 | 26.5 |
Best time to visit Bahrain
November to March is the most pleasant time, with warm days and mild evenings, good for the souq, the forts and time outdoors. April and October are hot but manageable. From May to September the heat and humidity are intense, so plan sightseeing for early morning or evening.
Practical facts
- Capital: Manama. Population: about 1.6 million (UN World Population Prospects 2024, 2023 estimate).
- Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted.
- Language: Arabic. English is widely spoken in shops, hotels and restaurants.
- Calling code: +973.
- Dress: modest clothing is best in the souq and expected at the mosque.
- Driving: on the right.
- Emergency number: 999 for police, fire and medical emergencies ([1]).
Plan your trip with hoyoopin
- The live weather and the month-by-month climate table for Manama are on this page.
- Dubai city guide: another Gulf city with a similar climate.
- World Clock and Weather for anywhere in Bahrain.
- Asia: time zones and key facts for the continent.
- Why the Gulf has no daylight saving time, Bahrain included.
Sources
- Smartraveller (Australian Government), Bahrain: call 999 for fire and rescue, medical emergencies and police.