Destination Bahrain: An F1 fan’s guide

A small island nation with a big motorsport presence, Bahrain delivers a desert setting, dramatic racing as the sun sets, and that warm Gulf hospitality to make it a favourite for drivers and fans alike – but there’s much more to explore beyond the track.

From UNESCO World Heritage sites and traditional souqs, to sleek waterfront districts and five-star beach resorts, Bahrain offers a fascinating mix of old and new. Whether you’re making your first visit or returning for another chapter under the lights, this guide covers everything you need – from practical travel tips to the best ways to experience the Kingdom beyond race day.

Introduction to Bahrain

Population: 1.5 million (approx.)

Time Zone: UTC +3

Language: Arabic

Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD) – card payment widely accepted

Power socket: Type G. If you’re travelling from overseas don’t forget to bring your adapters

Weather: Warm desert climate with hot days, balmy evenings

Attractions

Explore Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain)

Travel back 4,000 years at Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site that once powered the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Perched above the coastline, it glows gold at sunset – a dramatic, time-warped counterpoint to the floodlit intensity of race weekend.

Wander through Manama Souq

Just beyond the iconic Bab Al Bahrain gateway, Manama Souq unfolds in a swirl of spice, gold and colour. Wander through labyrinthine lanes lined with textiles and traditional sweets and lose yourself in the pulse of everyday Bahraini life.

Visit the Bahrain National Museum

For a deeper sense of place, step inside the Bahrain National Museum. From ancient burial mounds and the legacy of pearl divers to bold contemporary art, its galleries trace how this small island shaped the story of the Gulf.

Discover Bahrain’s pearling past

For centuries, Bahrain was the heart of the Gulf’s pearling trade. Walk sections of the UNESCO-listed Pearling Path in Muharraq, where restored merchant houses and coastal views tell the story of the divers who built the island’s early prosperity.

Desert landscapes and the Tree of Life

Beyond the capital, the desert opens wide into rolling dunes, sweeping plains and endless horizon lines that shimmer in the heat. It’s wild, cinematic and unmistakably Gulf – the kind of landscape that makes everything feel bigger.

Just 45 minutes from Manama, you can book a desert ride or hire a 4x4 and head out yourself to stand before the legendary Tree of Life, rooted alone in the wilderness for centuries. Arrive in the late afternoon as the sands glow gold and the temperature dips, and you’ll see exactly why the racing in Sakhir feels so raw and unforgettable.

Food and drink

Race weekend can be intense – so refuelling properly is essential. Luckily, Bahrain delivers.

Traditional Bahraini cuisine

Order machboos – fragrant spiced rice layered with tender meat or fish – or tear into grilled hammour straight from the flames and finish with sticky-sweet halwa. Bahraini tables are built for sharing, with generous platters made for race fans rolling in hungry after a busy day.

Adliya and Bahrain Bay

Adliya hums with late-night energy, packed restaurants and buzzing bars, while Bahrain Bay brings slick waterfront dining with skyline views to match. From refined Middle Eastern cuisine to bold international fusion, this is where evenings stretch long into the night.

Arabic coffee and evening cafes

Sip on Arabic coffee – qahwa – that's rich and aromatic, and served with dates in a gesture of warm Bahraini welcome. As evening falls, cafes glow with conversation and curling shisha smoke, the city settling into its own unhurried rhythm.

Traditional bakeries and sweet stops

Head to Muharraq or the streets around Manama Souq, where neighbourhood bakeries are woven into daily life. Pick up fresh khubz straight from the oven, try warm regag bread folded with egg and cheese, or sample sesame-topped pastries.

Travelling around Bahrain

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to move between Manama, Muharraq and the island’s key districts – they're quick, comfortable and widely available. There’s also a public bus network linking major areas across the island. It's a budget-friendly option, though slower and less direct.

If you do want to hire a car and explore at your own pace, the roads are modern and well maintained, with clear signposting in both Arabic and English.

During Grand Prix weekend the energy ramps up across the island, so allow a little extra time for your journey.