Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND BAHRAIN ISLAND
Although dominated by its capital city, there's more to Bahrain Island than Manama, as
those coming for the Grand Prix are sure to discover. The island is particularly rich in ar-
chaeological sites. Bahrain is small so the main sights make easily accessible day trips
from the capital by car, and some can even be visited by bus. It's hard to get lost, because
all road signs point to Saudi!
TOP OF CHAPTER
Bahrain Fort
Complex
OFFLINE MAP
Sights
Qal'at al-Bahrain
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
( 8am-8pm; ; 5 from Manama, then half-hour walk)
A 10-minute drive from central Manama,
and standing guard on an ancient tell (a mound created by centuries of urban rebuilding)
overlooking the northern coast, Bahrain Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th cen-
tury as part of a string of defences along the Gulf. The moated fort is particularly attractive
at night, when the surrounding history of the site seems to rise out of the excavations and
linger between the floodlights.
The site was occupied from about 2800 BC and there are seven layers of history repres-
ented in the digs surrounding the fort, including the remnants of two earlier forts.
The fort is well signposted about 5km west of Manama. There is no public transport dir-
ectly to the site.
Fort Museum
MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
(Bahrain Fort; admission 500 fils; 8am-8pm Tue-Sun; )
This excellent museum helps bring
Bahrain Fort alive. How can you fail to enjoy exhibits labelled 'Looking for a Tylos Necro-
