Travel advisory · BahrainSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Bahrain.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Also named by one government: Far south of the island (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider Travel | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von Reisen wird dringend abgeraten | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel to Bahrain | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Déconseillé sauf raisons impératives | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Manama
A compact Gulf capital where old souks, a national museum and a new waterfront sit close together, suited to a short city stay.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Manama is the capital of Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf. The city sits on the northeast coast of the main island, where the older trading quarter stands beside glass towers and newer waterfront development. The old core has the gold and textile souks, the Bab Al Bahrain gateway and traditional houses that reflect the city's pearling and trading past.
A trip of two to three days fits the city well, with time for the National Museum, a walk through the souks and a few meals of local food such as machboos, a spiced rice dish with meat or fish. Bahrain's wider historic sites, including the Qal'at al-Bahrain fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lie outside the city and are easier to reach by car or tour. The best months are November through March, when daytime temperatures are milder. Summer is hot and humid, so plan indoor stops for the afternoon.
Manama in five
- Get your entry visa sorted before you flyMany passports need an eVisa or a visa on arrival, and some need neither. Check your nationality on the official eVisa portal before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Carry some dinar for souks and small shopsThe currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD). Cards work in hotels and malls, but many souk stalls and small cafés prefer cash.Money and costs
- Set up data before you landRide apps and maps need mobile data from the first hour. Install an eSIM before you fly so you can book a ride as soon as you clear arrivals.Phones and eSIM
- Book rides by app or licensed taxiManama has no metro, and the souk, Bab Al Bahrain and the Corniche are spread out. Ride apps and licensed taxis cover most trips.Getting around
- Dress modestly for souks and mosquesCover shoulders and knees in the old souk and at any mosque, and take off your shoes before entering a prayer hall. During Ramadan, do not eat or drink in public during daylight hours.
Need to know
- Currency
- Bahraini dinar (BHD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for some passports; eVisa or arrival visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added; rounding up is usual
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, mild
- FebruaryMild, pleasant
- MarchWarming up
- AprilWarm, pleasant
- MayHot, rising
- JuneVery hot, humid
- JulyVery hot, humid
- AugustVery hot, humid
- SeptemberHot, humid
- OctoberWarm, pleasant
- NovemberMild, pleasant
- DecemberMild, pleasant
Right now in Manama
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Manama
01:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today36°27°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 36°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed33°25°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu34°25°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri35°27°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat35°27°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun34°27°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon29°27°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 01:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.376 BHD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- MuharraqOld pearling-merchant houses and the Pearling Path, a UNESCO site.
- Bahrain FortAncient Dilmun harbor and fort site, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Al AreenA desert wildlife reserve outside the city, good for a half day.
Before you go to Manama
Rules for Manama, checked
- Check your passport's entry rules on the official eVisa portal before you book flights.Source
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours, as a matter of respect.
- Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants, and drinking in public is not allowed.
- Bring prescription medicine in its original packaging with a doctor's note, since drug laws are strict.
Plan around Manama
Which passports need an eVisa and how to apply.
Read the guideGetting aroundRide apps, taxis and buses between the main sights.
Read the guideMoney and costsDinar, card use and where cash still matters.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for ride apps and maps from arrival.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and cancellation options for a short trip.
Read the guideBahrain travel guideManama in the wider context of a Bahrain trip.
Read the guideManama FAQ
Is Manama worth visiting?
Yes for a short stay. The Manama souk and the Bab Al Bahrain gateway sit in the old center, and the city is an easy base for Bahrain's older sites.
How many days do you need in Manama?
Two days cover the souk, Bab Al Bahrain and a museum visit. Add a day for Muharraq or Bahrain Fort if you want the older sites.
What is the best time to visit Manama?
November to March, when days are mild. Summer is very hot and humid, so plan indoor visits for the middle of the day.
Can you drink alcohol in Manama?
Yes, in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in public is not allowed.
Do I need a visa for Bahrain?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities enter visa-free, while others need an eVisa or a visa on arrival. Check the official eVisa portal before you book.