Tourism in Bahrain
Information about Tourism in Bahrain
Bahrain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East with over two million tourists a year. Most of the visitors are from Arab Gulf states but there is an increasing number of tourists from outside the region thanks to a growing awareness of the Kingdom’s rich heritage and its higher profile with regards to the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Lonely Planet describes Bahrain as "an excellent introduction to the Gulf"[1] because of its authentic Arab heritage and reputation as relatively liberal and modern. The Kingdom combines authentic Arab culture, contemporary Gulf glitz and the archaeological legacy of five thousand years of civilisation. The ancient civilisation of Dilmun, which dominated trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilization, was centred in Bahrain. The inhabitants of Dilmun left behind settlements and temples and tens of thousands of burial mounds which dot the landscape.
Dilmun prospered because it had fresh water, and it is this resource which has meant that Bahrain has long fought over by regional powers in a predominantly arid region. As a result, the island is home to many castles including the impressive Qalat Al Bahrain which was recently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Bahrain National Museum has a wide-varied collection of artifacts from the Kingdom's history dating back to the island's first human inhabitation 9000 years ago.
MP Adel Al-Mouwdah criticised the sale of alcohol in hotels and restaurants, saying that the 'poison' was attracting 'the wrong type of tourist' from Saudi Arabia where alcohol is banned.
Many new tourist attraction resorts are being planned in Bahrain such as the Al Areen Resort, Dannat Hawar, Durrat Al Bahrain, Amwaj Islands, Lulu Island, Riffa Views and Bahrain Bay which will be home to the Kingdom's first Four Seasons Hotel.
The project resembles a necklace and will consist of 13 islands – an arc of six atolls and five pearl-shaped islands; an island for a five-star resort and aqua park and a crescent-shaped island for a residential complex.
Spread over 20 square kilometres, the development will include 13 different islands with over 2,000 villas, more than 3,000 apartments, luxury hotels, restaurants, promenades, shopping centres, spas and a proposed golf course among its many sports facilities. A 400-boat marina set in a lagoon is also planned.
The 2.8 million-square-metre Amwaj Islands will have a unifying architectural theme and will include the following components:
• Amwaj Plaza-1: a unique 10-storey residential tower;
• Al Marsa: ready-built canal-front villas;
• Zawaya: Beautiful houses perched over the water’s edge;
• Zawye: dual residential buildings opposite to the commercial district;
• Amwaj Gateway: Spectacular apartments at the doorstep of the project (developed by RealCapita);
• Saraya Al Bahar: Designer villas on common or private beach;
• Tala Island: Town-houses, villas and apartments in an exclusive gated neighbourhood setting, overlooking the tranquil Amwaj lagoon;
• Meena 7 Towers: Stylish apartments on the seafront in the heart of the trendy Al Marsa village;
• Al Fanar Resort: hotel and recreational area to the west of the islands, which includes a 100-berth marina and retail centre. The first four-plus star beach hotel will have 300 rooms and a spacious banquet hall; Two hotels has already signed up for the development of this area, they are JAL Hotels and Marriott;
• The Lagoon: in the heart of Amwaj's commercial district, a 1 KM strip mall surrounding the central sea water lagoon.
Amwaj Plaza and Marsa Floating City are other elements within the project.
The commercial heart of the islands is centered on a lagoon, work on the wall of which is nearing completion, with the casting of concrete bollards to the top of the quay wall, as the final touch. The immediate area will accommodate a landscaped promenade that will offer panoramic views across the lagoon, which will be ringed by stylish waterfront cafes and restaurants.
Design work is also under way on a marina and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.
Al Marsa Floating City
Al Marsa, which means 'jetty' or 'harbour' in Arabic is a floating island that is being built with an investment of US$70 million. On completion later this year, the island will have 274 canal houses, a 150-room hotel, time-share apartments, retail mall, restaurants and a yacht club. In brief, a small-scaled Venice.
The artificial island, which is part of the Amwaj Islands project, will measure approximately 28,000 square metres and is designed to have a series of canals where boats can cruise and even park beside their own back garden where the level of water is maintained within 50 centimetres 'rise and fall' by a sector-lock gate located at the south entrance of the island adjacent to the proposed Yacht Club.
Tala Island
One of the components of the Amwaj Islands project, Tala Islands will encompass 136,000 square metres. The development, which costs US$110 million, will accommodate 48 beachfront villas, 42 two-storey, mid-size villas, as well as 410 apartments in 31 blocks (including 12 penthouses) and another 148 smaller apartments. The development will also include an aqua park, retail areas, a sports centre, tennis club and restaurants and coffee shops.
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The Lonely Planet describes Bahrain as "an excellent introduction to the Gulf"[1] because of its authentic Arab heritage and reputation as relatively liberal and modern. The Kingdom combines authentic Arab culture, contemporary Gulf glitz and the archaeological legacy of five thousand years of civilisation. The ancient civilisation of Dilmun, which dominated trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilization, was centred in Bahrain. The inhabitants of Dilmun left behind settlements and temples and tens of thousands of burial mounds which dot the landscape.
Dilmun prospered because it had fresh water, and it is this resource which has meant that Bahrain has long fought over by regional powers in a predominantly arid region. As a result, the island is home to many castles including the impressive Qalat Al Bahrain which was recently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Bahrain National Museum has a wide-varied collection of artifacts from the Kingdom's history dating back to the island's first human inhabitation 9000 years ago.
MP Adel Al-Mouwdah criticised the sale of alcohol in hotels and restaurants, saying that the 'poison' was attracting 'the wrong type of tourist' from Saudi Arabia where alcohol is banned.
Tourism Developments
The government of Bahrain has also encouraged tourism development and participated partially in the capital of such developments while many gulf nationals have relatives in Bahrain or vice versa, regional tourism is also a significant source of income to Bahrain. The government continues to contribute into large-scale tourism projects. It opened the car racing track that can hold various races car racing and the only Formula One race track in the Middle East in 2004, and has awarded tenders for several tourist complexes all around the Kingdom.Many new tourist attraction resorts are being planned in Bahrain such as the Al Areen Resort, Dannat Hawar, Durrat Al Bahrain, Amwaj Islands, Lulu Island, Riffa Views and Bahrain Bay which will be home to the Kingdom's first Four Seasons Hotel.
Durrat Al Bahrain
The US$1 billion Durrat Al Bahrain is named after the most perfect pearl and sets out to be a model 21st century city resort. The development will consist of residential and tourism elements and will cover a 20-kilometre stretch of reclaimed desert and sea.The project resembles a necklace and will consist of 13 islands – an arc of six atolls and five pearl-shaped islands; an island for a five-star resort and aqua park and a crescent-shaped island for a residential complex.
Spread over 20 square kilometres, the development will include 13 different islands with over 2,000 villas, more than 3,000 apartments, luxury hotels, restaurants, promenades, shopping centres, spas and a proposed golf course among its many sports facilities. A 400-boat marina set in a lagoon is also planned.
Amwaj Islands
Work is now completed on the Amwaj Islands project, a group of man-made islands less than two kilometres off the coast of Muharraq (North), which promises to offer a combination of world-class residential neighbourhoods, commercial districts and spectacular resorts.The 2.8 million-square-metre Amwaj Islands will have a unifying architectural theme and will include the following components:
• Amwaj Plaza-1: a unique 10-storey residential tower;
• Al Marsa: ready-built canal-front villas;
• Zawaya: Beautiful houses perched over the water’s edge;
• Zawye: dual residential buildings opposite to the commercial district;
• Amwaj Gateway: Spectacular apartments at the doorstep of the project (developed by RealCapita);
• Saraya Al Bahar: Designer villas on common or private beach;
• Tala Island: Town-houses, villas and apartments in an exclusive gated neighbourhood setting, overlooking the tranquil Amwaj lagoon;
• Meena 7 Towers: Stylish apartments on the seafront in the heart of the trendy Al Marsa village;
• Al Fanar Resort: hotel and recreational area to the west of the islands, which includes a 100-berth marina and retail centre. The first four-plus star beach hotel will have 300 rooms and a spacious banquet hall; Two hotels has already signed up for the development of this area, they are JAL Hotels and Marriott;
• The Lagoon: in the heart of Amwaj's commercial district, a 1 KM strip mall surrounding the central sea water lagoon.
Amwaj Plaza and Marsa Floating City are other elements within the project.
The commercial heart of the islands is centered on a lagoon, work on the wall of which is nearing completion, with the casting of concrete bollards to the top of the quay wall, as the final touch. The immediate area will accommodate a landscaped promenade that will offer panoramic views across the lagoon, which will be ringed by stylish waterfront cafes and restaurants.
Design work is also under way on a marina and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.
Al Marsa Floating City
Al Marsa, which means 'jetty' or 'harbour' in Arabic is a floating island that is being built with an investment of US$70 million. On completion later this year, the island will have 274 canal houses, a 150-room hotel, time-share apartments, retail mall, restaurants and a yacht club. In brief, a small-scaled Venice.
The artificial island, which is part of the Amwaj Islands project, will measure approximately 28,000 square metres and is designed to have a series of canals where boats can cruise and even park beside their own back garden where the level of water is maintained within 50 centimetres 'rise and fall' by a sector-lock gate located at the south entrance of the island adjacent to the proposed Yacht Club.
Tala Island
One of the components of the Amwaj Islands project, Tala Islands will encompass 136,000 square metres. The development, which costs US$110 million, will accommodate 48 beachfront villas, 42 two-storey, mid-size villas, as well as 410 apartments in 31 blocks (including 12 penthouses) and another 148 smaller apartments. The development will also include an aqua park, retail areas, a sports centre, tennis club and restaurants and coffee shops.
Notes
See also
External links
- Newarabia.net Your Independent Bahrain Travel Guide
- Bahrain Tourism, sponsored by the Tourism Directorate
- Lonely Planet Bahrain
- BahrainGuide, a website for visitors and expats
- The Independent’s 48 hours in Bahrain
- Apply for visa online with Bahrain’s electronic visas
- Bahrain Freehold Tourism Developments
- Bahrain Virtual Guide
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Anthem
بحريننا
Bahrainona
Our Bahrain
Capital
(and largest city) Manama
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بحريننا
Bahrainona
Our Bahrain
Capital
(and largest city) Manama
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Middle East is a historical and political region of Africa-Eurasia with no clear boundaries. The term "Middle East" was popularized around 1900 in Britain, and has been criticized for its loose definition.
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Arab states of the Persian Gulf are made of the kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the sultanate of Oman, and the emirates of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These six countries form the members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
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The Bahrain Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة البحرين الكبرى) is a Formula One Championship race which first took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 4, 2004.
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Lonely Planet Publications
Private (subsidiary of BBC Worldwide)
Genre Travel guides
Founded 1972
Founder Tony Wheeler
Maureen Wheeler
Headquarters Footscray, Victoria, Australia
Area served Worldwide
Industry Publications
Employees 360
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Private (subsidiary of BBC Worldwide)
Genre Travel guides
Founded 1972
Founder Tony Wheeler
Maureen Wheeler
Headquarters Footscray, Victoria, Australia
Area served Worldwide
Industry Publications
Employees 360
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Arabian mythology comprises the ancient beliefs of the Arabs. Prior to the arrival and initial codification of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in 622 CE, year one of the Islamic calendar, the physical centre of Islam, the Karabbnnoo of Mecca, did not hold only the single symbol of
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Dilmun (sometimes transliterated Telmun) is an ancient civilization usually associated with archaeological sites on the islands of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf and the nearby coast, including Qatif.
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Mesopotamia was a cradle of civilization geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq. Sumer in southern Mesopotamia is commonly regarded as the world's earliest civilization.
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The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1500 BCE, flourished 2600–1900 BCE), abbreviated IVC, was an ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river valleys primarily in what is now Pakistan and western India, extending westward into
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A tumulus (plural tumuli, from the Latin word for mound or small hill, from the root tum- "to bulge, swell" also found in tumor and cognate with English thumb
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Fresh Water is the debut album by Australian rock and blues singer Alison McCallum, released in 1972. Rare for an Australian artist at the time, it came in a gatefold sleeve.
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A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. The term has a history of scholarly debate surrounding its exact meaning, but it is usually regarded as being distinct from the general terms fort or fortress in that it describes a building
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State Party Bahrain
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, iv
Reference 1192
Region Arab States
Inscription History
Inscription 2005 (29th Session)
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Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, iv
Reference 1192
Region Arab States
Inscription History
Inscription 2005 (29th Session)
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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO flag
Org type: Specialized Agency
Acronyms: UNESCO
Head: Director General of UNESCO
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UNESCO flag
Org type: Specialized Agency
Acronyms: UNESCO
Head: Director General of UNESCO
- Koïchiro Matsuura
- Japan
Status: Active
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO
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Bahrain National Museum. The museum covers 6000 years of Bahrain's history.
The BD 11 million complex on Manama Bay includes three halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilisation of Dilmun, while two other halls depict the culture and lifestyle of Bahrain's recent
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The BD 11 million complex on Manama Bay includes three halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilisation of Dilmun, while two other halls depict the culture and lifestyle of Bahrain's recent
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In archaeology, an artifact or artefact is any object made or modified by a human culture, and often one later recovered by some archaeological endeavor. Examples include stone tools such as projectile points, pottery vessels, metal objects such as buttons or guns, and items
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Anthem
بحريننا
Bahrainona
Our Bahrain
Capital
(and largest city) Manama
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بحريننا
Bahrainona
Our Bahrain
Capital
(and largest city) Manama
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A list of tourist attractions in Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf.
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- Al Fateh Mosque
- Al Khamis Mosque
- Arad Fort
- Bab Al Bahrain
- Manama Souq
- Gold Souq
- Bahrain Fort
- Bahrain Grand Prix
- Bahrain National Museum
- Barbar Temple
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The name Bahrain comes from Arabic Bahárayn, literally meaning 'two seas'.
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The Dilmun era
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Tourism is travel for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes or the provision of services to support this leisure travel. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists
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Adventure tourism is a type of niche tourism involving exploration or travel to remote areas, where the traveler should expect the unexpected. Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in popularity as tourists seek unusual holidays, different from the typical beach vacation.
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Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas.
The word 'hiking' is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are differences in usage.
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The word 'hiking' is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are differences in usage.
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Backpacking (also tramping or trekking or bushwalking in some countries) combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating
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Mountaineering is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, trekking and climbing up mountains. It is also sometimes known as alpinism, particularly in Europe.
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Agritourism is a style of vacation which is normally on farms. This may include the chance to help with farming tasks during the visit. Agritourism is often practiced in wine growing regions, as in Italy and Spain.
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Archaeotourism or Archaeological tourism is an alternative form of cultural tourism, which aims to promote the passion for historical-archaeology and the conservation of historical sites.
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Backpacking is a term used to denote a form of low-cost independent international travel, differentiating it from other forms of tourism notably by the following typical attributes: minimal budget use, longer duration traveling, use of public transport and multiple
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Bicycle touring is a leisure travel activity which involves touring, exploring or sightseeing by bicycle. Bicycle tourism can be likened to backpacking on a bicycle.
Distances vary considerably.
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Distances vary considerably.
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