Anchoring in the Persian Gulf: Visiting Bahrain
Once the pearling centre of the world, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s illustrious heritage is represented in its many museums and historic structures – including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It may not be the obvious first stop on a superyacht itinerary, but its understated charm, rich culture, and fascinating history make it a must for those looking to venture beyond the well-trodden route.
EXPLORING BAHRAIN BY SUPERYACHT
Bahrain’s Pearly History
The Bahrain Pearling Trail in Muharraq formed a crucial part of the country’s economy, with Bahrain’s pearls famed throughout the ancient world and into the modern era, coveted by iconic jewellers such as Jacques Cartier. Historians and admirals alike spoke warmly of the islands, praising the quality of their pearls and cotton. Known to the Greeks as Tylos, Bahrain also played an important role within Alexander the Great’s Persian empire.
Today, the Pearling Trail focuses on the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the industry was at its height, employing 30,000 divers in Bahrain. It was a tough and physically demanding job, with no diving equipment other than a peg for the nose and a bag to collect the oysters. The development of cultured pearls in Japan changed the industry forever; many divers moved into oil, leaving these elegant remnants of the trade as a protected place to visit. Limited diving is still permitted, but large areas of the seabed now have protected status.
The Northern Heyrat Preserve was established in 2014 in partnership with Bahrain’s Culture Ministry, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage. The 1,350 sq km site is home to four natural pearling grounds, which visitors can explore to learn about this rich cultural history.
Bahrain’s Archaeological Wonders
Scattered across 33 islands, the Kingdom is home to iconic buildings such as the Al Khamis Mosque, which dates back to around 692AD. It is believed to be the first mosque in the country and its prominent twin minarets make it an important local landmark. The Qal’at al-Bahrain (the Bahrain Fort) was added to UNESCO’s list in 2005 and is a physical representation of the country’s history, showing evidence of more than 5,000 years of occupation. Situated just 6km from the capital, Manama, the monumental stone walls of the present fort date back to the Sixth Century AD. Other major sites include Qal’at ’Arad, a 15th-century fort and Beit Al-Qur’an (House of Qur’an), one of the world’s most famed Islamic museums, with vast collections of Qur’ans and traditional calligraphy – all must-visit sites when docked in Bahrain.
The Dilmun Burial Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, are one of Bahrain’s most remarkable archaeological treasures and the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world. Dating back to the Dilmun civilization (around 2050–1750 BCE), the site contains over 21,000 ancient burial mounds spread across the island, particularly in A’ali and surrounding areas. These distinctive circular tombs reflect the social hierarchy and spiritual beliefs of early inhabitants and showcase Bahrain’s central role as a trading hub of the ancient Gulf. Today, the site is carefully preserved, offering those visiting Bahrain a unique glimpse into Bahrain’s Bronze Age heritage and its deep historical roots.
Sporting Attractions
A piece of critical infrastructure in contemporary Bahrain is the Bahrain International Circuit, which opened in 2004. Designed by leading Formula 1 architect Hermann Tilke, the track is one of the most modern F1 racetracks in the world, with outstanding contemporary facilities for both spectators and media. As well as being a key fixture in the F1 calendar, the circuit hosts several motorsport events throughout the year, from local one-make series to drag racing and 4×4 experiences. For motor fans visiting Bahrain, the 8 Hours of Bahrain, part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, is one of the kingdom’s premier motorsport events, attracting Le Mans-style cars and top international racing teams to the Bahrain International Circuit.
Beyond motorsport, Bahrain continues to offer world-class sports and leisure facilities, including the Royal Golf Club with its championship-standard course hosting international tournaments. In the city of Riffa is the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, the centre of Bahrain’s prestigious thoroughbred racing calendar. Along the coast, Amwaj Marina remains a hub for marine recreation.
Bahrain’s Growing Architecture
Durrat Al Bahrain, now largely completed, is a flagship coastal development comprising 15 artificial islands off Bahrain’s southern coast. Valued at around $6 billion, it features luxury villas, apartments, hotels, a golf course and a 400-berth marina, forming a distinctive chain of U-shaped atolls and petal-shaped islands visible from space. Once focused on land reclamation, the project has matured into an exclusive residential and leisure destination, with ongoing expansions adding new homes, hospitality venues and retail areas. While it rivals similar island developments in Dubai in scale and ambition, Durrat Al Bahrain functions primarily as a gated community with limited public access, catering to high-end residents and resort guests.
The modern skyline of Bahrain is dominated by structures such as the Bahrain World Trade Center, the country’s third tallest building, instantly recognizable due to the three full-size wind turbines that are mounted between the two interlinked 240-metre towers. Along with the neon-striped Dual Towers development, it forms part of the striking view that now greets visitors as they approach from the sea or across the 25km-long King Fahd Causeway, which links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia in the west and was completed in 1986.
With so much at its fingertips, visiting Bahrain is a must for those seeking history and adventure.
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