Manama

💡 About Manama

Manama, the capital of the island nation of Bahrain, is a cosmopolitan and liberal Gulf city with a history stretching back to the ancient civilisation of Dilmun, over four thousand years ago. Compact, welcoming and refreshingly open, it blends deep antiquity with the modern glitz of a Gulf financial hub.

Bahrain was one of the first Gulf states to strike oil and, foreseeing its limits, has long positioned itself as a centre of banking and finance rather than relying on petroleum alone. This has given Manama a diverse, business-oriented and relatively relaxed character, its skyline studded with striking modern towers.

The city and island are rich in heritage. The Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits atop an ancient tell revealing thousands of years of settlement, while the old souk of Manama and the traditional houses of Muharraq recall the era when Bahrain was the pearling capital of the Gulf.

Famous for its friendly atmosphere, its causeway link to Saudi Arabia, and hosting the region's Formula 1 Grand Prix, Manama is a lively and accessible Gulf destination. Historic, tolerant and welcoming, it is one of Arabia's most easygoing capitals.

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