Visit the Souq, Bahrain

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The Manama souk lies in the older part of town. Its narrow streets and partly covered alleys are typical of Middle Eastern souks, but do not expect anything like Cairo's or Istanbul's bazaars. There are definitely many interesting things and souvenirs to buy, along with cheap goods made in Asia. Most interesting to see is perhaps the Gold Souk. This part of town has some of what little remains of old Bahraini architecture (see photos).

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No Visit to Bahrain would be completed without a trip to the soukh , with its profusion of colors, sounds, and aromas. All wares are sold, from cloth of colors and textures to gold and jewelry as well as the traditional array of spices and local produce. Bartering is expected, and indeed turns the whole experience of shopping into a challenge to see who can obtain the best price. The central market, completed in 1978, provides modern facilities for trades, which were unavailable, when the market took place in the soukh. It is well worth a visit, if only to enjoy the brightly colored display of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as the scents of the herbs, nuts and spices.

We sat down at one place having a breakfast, everyone was so nice there.

If you only have time to do one thing in Bahrain, then you should visit the Souq (market) in central Manama. The little back alleys in this older area of town are lined with shops offering everything that Bahrain has to offer. Spices, perfumes, gold, jewelry, electronics, clothing, textiles, antiques, fruits and vegetables, etc. Almost entirely locals with a few tourists and expats, the Souq is a great place to observe local Bahraini people going about their daily lives, as well as pick up cheap souvenirs (or maybe not so cheap). Just remember to barter well for everything you purchase, but always do it with a smile.

Visit the Souq (grand market) where you can look at many small shops selling clothing, food, trinkets, and so on. Coming in to the Souq through the Bab al Bahrain you enter a network of narrow streets and alleyways. The further you go inside the narrower the streets become and the smaller and more traditional the shops become.
The many different shops. Try your hand at bargaining for things. Once they realise that you want something everyone will try to sell it to you.

You must visit the souk (market) which stretches from Bab al Bahrain road on the east side, Al Khalifa Road on the north, Lulu Road on the west and Sh. Abdulla Road on the east. You can see and buy all kinds of spices, fabrics, kaftans, thobes, handicrafts, souveignors, dry fruits, nuts, and any other thing you can imagine. The Gold souk is also worth visiting and the gold is hallmarked and pure. You will only find 18K and 21K gold items. 10K and 14K are not usually acceptable as 'gold' jewelry. The Bahraini pearls are the only natural pearls in the world today and they are one of a kind.The best kind. They are not cultured but natural.

Get down the souk for gold, cloth, spices & even tacky pink mosque alarm clocks that play the Koran, & singing cuddly camels! The souk in Manama is a great way to people watch & mingle with ALL nationalities!

Walking around the Souq area,

you will see many people just passing the time

with a waterpipe or a casual game of dominos.

This photo was taken from the third floor

of my favorite bar in the Souq, the Hunter's Lodge.

THERE ARE MORE PHOTOS HERE! PRESS LINK ABOVE!
1. The Souq
2. Dilmun's grave mounds
[REMIND ME TO GET A PHOTO OF THESE!!!]
3. The fish traps
The Souq is a Middle Eastern institution.

Like in a street market in the West, there is all the

local colour on show.The people, the local produce,

the local costumes. Here is a gold shop, with about

a hundred thousand dollars worth of jewellery on show.