Manama Souq Cultural Walking Tour

5 min

Bab Al Bahrain is a historical building located in the Customs Square in the central business district of Manama. It marks the main entrance to the Manama Souq. Opened in 1949 and designed by the British adviser to the emir, Charles Belgrave, Bab Al Bahrain once stood on the Manama coastline.

5 min

The original post office of Manama, situated directly behind Bab Al Bahrain, is now the location of a newly renovated museum that documents the history of postal services of Bahrain in all its eras. With content from Ministry of Transport and the Philatelic Bureau, the museum is home to an archive of photographs from the postal service since its inception, a complete catalogue of Bahraini stamps as well as stamps from all over the world, and a collection of vintage cancellations, scales, and franking machines. The museum includes a philatelic bureau counter where people can purchase new and collectible stamps and a café with a terrace that overlooks Bab Al Bahrain.

5 min

Little India covers an area of 5000 sq m spread over three streets (Bab Al Bahrain Ave, Al Tijjar Ave and Al Hadrami Ave) where historically many houses were built using Indian wood.

10 min

Shrinathji Temple is a heritage Hindu temple in Manama established in the year 1817. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji,[1] a form of Krishna, manifested as a seven-year-old child.

5 min

The Showaiter is an Arabic Sunni family based in the Arabian Peninsula, especially the Arab States of the Persian Gulf. In Bahrain, the family is based in Muharraq, and its name is synonymous with a traditional sweet confection produced by the family for the past 150 years. It is popular, in the Persian Gulf region, as "Halwa Bahraini", while in Bahrain it is commonly referred to as "Halwa Showaiter".

10 min

Dating back to the 1880s, the Bahrain Jewish community is the only indigenous Jewish community in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and has the only operational synagogue (House of Ten Commandments) and Jewish cemetery in the region.

5 min

At this stop, we will enjoy a delicious Bahraini samboosa with potatoes. This restaurant has been in Bahrain for over 100 years. Young and old generations of Bahrain definitely love this place.

20 min

A stop in a traditional Bahraini coffee shop to rest and drink some tasty traditional tea before continuing the tour.

5 min

One of Manama’s most unique houses, Khalaf House exemplifies the city’s strong ties to the history of pearls and trade. The building was donated by the Khalaf family to be a cultural landmark, honoring the significant role of pearling merchants in the history of Bahrain, and is now affiliated with the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research.

5 min

“Manamat Al Gossaibi” is a tribute to Saudi beloved public figure Dr. Gazi Abdul Rahman Al Gosaibi in the heart of Manama. Housed in a traditional Bahraini house in Al Gosaibi’s childhood neighborhood – Fareej Al Fadel – the cultural center includes various displays and artistic expressions that celebrate Gazi Al Gosaibi; the poet, outspoken liberal, reformist, minister, and ambassador.