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Popular Off the Beaten Path | Other Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (6) It is an incredible experience to walk into any of the carpet shops and have them start flopping carpets for you. They keep them coming until you can no longer see over the stack. Often you will be offered a beverage or sometimes shwarma to eat. A good salesperson should be able to tell you a lot about each carpet. Haggling is expected, but it can be difficult if you are not aware of the value of the carpet. Shop prepared! I recommend finding the type of carpet your interested in and then searching the internet for more info. Fun even if you don't buy. Leave a Comment Other Contact: Shwarma Alley
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Anyone with even a passing interest in architecture or local domestic life shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit a traditional Bahraini house.
The 19th-century Siyadi house, built by pearl merchant Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi, is a beautiful example of Arabic architecture with ornate ceilings, stained glass windows, and carved screens to protect the women from immodest stares. You can even see the enormous safe used to protect the owner’s daily takings. Beit Siyadi, Muharraq.
Open: Sat-Tue 08h00-14h00; Wed-Thu 09h00-18h00; Fri 15h00-18h00. Admission: BHD0.20. Tel: +973 334-945. Leave a Comment
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Not surprisingly for an island in the middle of the Arabian Sea, Bahrain has some beautiful beaches, both on the main island and on the outlying islands.
Al Jazayer is one of the nicest beaches on the mainland with the archetypal golden sands and azure waters. Not far from Zallaq, it’s fairly easy to reach and if you explore a bit further round the coast, you’ll find numerous quiet coves away from the crowds.
Alternatively, you can catch a boat to lovely Al Dar Island which is popular for watersports, snorkelling, swimming and fishing and holds regular beach barbecues. There are also pristine beaches on the Hawar Islands where there’s a large hotel and resort complex. Leave a Comment
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The most famous feature of Sheikh Isa’s house is its early version of air-conditioning in the form of a wind tower which funnels cool breezes into the rooms below and allows hot air to escape from above.
Great grandfather to the current Emir, Sheikh Isa ruled from 1869 until 1932 and his house is typical of upper class homes of the period. Beit Sheikh Isa, Muharraq.
Open: Sat-Tue 08h00-14h00; Wed-Thu 09h00-18h00; Fri 15h00-18h00. Admission: BHD0.20. Leave a Comment Phone: +973 334-945
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There are numerous opportunities for diving and snorkelling in the Arabian Sea where you can explore the beautiful coral reefs and wrecks that surround the islands.
Indo-Pacific species such as clown fish, turtles, rays, lion fish, grouper, snapper, crayfish and even whale sharks abound. Dugongs (sea cows) can be seen feeding on the sea grass in the southern waters of Bahrain during the cooler winter months. Conditions are excellent for exploring the country’s aquatic life with clear, warm waters most of the year round and of course, a beautiful climate.
Scuba and snorkelling education, equipment and excursions are available to an international standard through various dive centres. Try PADI 5 Star Dive Centre Aquatique (Tel: +973 271-780), located in Manama.
If you fancy doing a spot of fishing while you’re here, regular local catches include tuna, mackerel, trevally and even barracuda. Leave a Comment
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Though a small country, Bahrain is blessed with abundant wildlife on land as well as in the sea.
Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve, established by the Crown Prince in 1975 to protect and breed endangered species, is open to visitors who can drive through the park and see rare creatures such as Arabian oryx and Persian gazelle. There are also numerous varieties of plantlife and trees in the park, carefully planned to maintain the delicate eco-system. The park is near Zallaq. Open: Sat-Thu 08h00-16h00; Fri 14h00-16h00. Admission: BHD1, adults; BHD0.50, children. Tel: +973 836-116.
At the Dolphin Park located near the Manama Corniche, dolphins and sea lions perform four shows a day. Though less conservation-minded than Al Areen, this is a popular destination for tourists, especially for those with children. One of the highlights is a programme allowing visitors to swim with these highly intelligent creatures, with special free “swim with the dolphins” opportunities for disabled people. Leave a Comment
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on March 18, 2004
on December 27, 2007
