Excursion Bahrain exploration tour at Al Manamah

Discover a host of unique, historical and cultural Bahraini landmarks during this comprehensive, half-day sightseeing excursion that's ideal for first-time visitors to the Kingdom.

Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain National Museum, Paintings, Sculptures, Calligraphy, Pearl Exhibits

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Bahrain National Museum. The 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.

Bahrain Bay, Manama World Trade Centre, Bahrain Fort

Next, re-board your coach and head 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. Leaving the Manama World Trade Centre, re-board your coach and continue on 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 of the Bahrain Fort, stop by the Ancient Burial Grounds.

Ancient Burial Grounds, Royal Camel Farm

Perhaps the largest pre-historic cemetery in the world, the Ancient Burial Grounds include 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. Leaving the Ancient Burial Grounds, re-board your coach and drive to the final stop on your tour, the Royal Camel Farm. This farm is owned by His Highness late Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al Khalifa, who was the uncle of the current ruler. The farm is home to more than 500 camels. During your visit, you can see the baby and older camels here, provided they are not taken out for feeding. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 55-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain National Museum, Bahrain Bay, Manama World Trade Centre, Bahrain Fort, Ancient Burial Grounds, Royal Camel Farm

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 339 yards (about 310 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. 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.