Excursion Bahrain in depth tour at Al Manamah

Explore the history of Bahrain during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion to some of the oldest and most renowned landmarks in the Kingdom.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Fiberglass Dome

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Al Fateh Grand Mosque. Set against a backdrop of palm trees and the sea, the Grand Mosque strikes a beautiful picture. With its exquisite Bahraini architecture, crowned by the world's largest fiberglass dome and blessed with a tranquillity reserved for the holiest of holy places, the Grand Mosque truly lives up to its name. Leaving the Grand Mosque, re-board your coach and continue on to the Bahrain National Museum.

Bahrain National Museum, Paintings, Sculptures, Ceramics, Calligraphy, Photos, Pearl Exhibits

The Bahrain National Museum houses a wonderfully diverse collection of exhibits. Highlights include contemporary Bahraini paintings, sculptures, ceramics, scenes depicting life in the Dilmun civilization of 6,000 years ago, and even a reconstructed burial mound, complete with skeleton. A section on Arabic calligraphy, including a beautiful display of illuminated Qur'ans and other religious documents, is breath-taking. Traditional trades and crafts are cleverly displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souq of the 1930s. There are also photographs and models of pearl exhibitions, along with artefacts representing the former source of Bahrain's wealth before the advent of oil. From here, re-board your coach and head to the Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House.

Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, Muharraq Houses, Lunch, Bahrain Bay, Manama World Trade Centre

The Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House was constructed by Shaikh Hassan Bin Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al-Fatih and utilised by Shaikh Isa Bin Ali as his residence and centre of Government from 1869 - 1932. The house, which features a wind tower and open courtyard, consists of four main sections; the Family Wing, Shaikh's Wing, Guest's Wing and the Attendant's Wing. Following your visit, take a guided stroll past the old Muharraq Houses en route to an Arabic lunch at the nearby Raazji restaurant. After lunch, re-board your coach and drive to Bahrain Bay for a photo stop at the Manama World Trade Centre (also called Bahrain WTC or BWTC), a 787-foot-high (about 240-metre-high). 50-floor, twin tower complex located in Manama. Built in 2008, it is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its award-winning design.

Bahrain Fort, Ancient Burial Grounds, Manama Souk

Next, re-board your coach and head to the Bahrain Fort. The Portuguese built the fort in 1522 on the ruins of an earlier, smaller fort built by the people of Bahrain. The Portuguese added the high walls, huge square towers and a surrounding moat which is still visible today. Following a guided tour, stop by the Ancient Burial Grounds. Perhaps the largest pre-historic cemetery in the world, it features an estimated 170,000 burial mounds dating back to between 3000 B.C. and 600 A.D. The best-preserved mounds can be seen at A'ali Village. Your last stop is at the bustling Manama Souk. Browse the narrow streets of the souk for traditional foods, spices, nuts, textiles, coffee, gold jewellery, pearls, Persian carpets, and handicrafts. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Khalifa Bin Salman, Grand Mosque, Bahrain National Museum, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, Lunch, Manama WTC, Bahrain Fort, Ancient Burial Grounds, Manama Souk

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 667 yards (about 610 metres), at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 25-30 steps at both the National Museum and Bahrain Fort. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a change of clothing, and U.S. Dollars or Euros for purchases from the ship. Proper attire is required to enter the mosque; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. A head covering is required for women entering the Grand Mosque, and is provided for female guests. Shoes must be removed when entering religious sites; bring an extra pair of heavy socks for comfort, as the pavement may be hot. Guests must be at least four years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Photography/videography with a personal camera or cell phone is permitted; however, guests must receive permission to conduct professional camera photo shoots in all areas of Bahrain. The tour sequence may vary.