Capital Governorate is the heart of Bahrain: Manama's old souq and Bab Al Bahrain, the National Museum and Al Fateh Grand Mosque, the Adliya dining district and the waterfront towers of Bahrain Bay sit within a short taxi ride of each other.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Bahrain is a Muslim-majority Gulf kingdom that is more relaxed than some neighbours, but dress modestly in public: shoulders and knees covered in souqs, malls, mosques and government buildings.
Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum'; men may shake hands with men, and should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
The weekend is Friday and Saturday; many shops close or open late on Friday mornings for the midday prayer.
Ramadan changes daily life: eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight is prohibited and most restaurants close until sunset.
During Muharram, and especially Ashura, Shia processions and mourning gatherings take place in Manama; be respectful, keep clear of processions and do not photograph worshippers without permission.
Accept coffee (gahwa) and dates when offered; use the right hand to eat and to pass items.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress modestly in malls, souqs and religious sites
- Accept Arabic coffee and dates when offered
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women
- Remove shoes and dress fully (women cover hair) when entering a mosque
- Carry small cash for the souq and bus fares
- Learn a few Arabic greetings
Don't
- Do not photograph military, government or police buildings or people without consent
- Do not bring drugs into Bahrain; alcohol is served only in licensed hotel venues and some licensed restaurants, and drunkenness in public is an offence
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours
- Do not criticise the royal family, the government or Islam
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Do not use the left hand to eat or hand over items
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- 'As-salamu alaykum' (reply 'Wa alaykum as-salam'); handshakes are normal between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand.
- Dining
- Eat with the right hand, take food from the dish in front of you and let the host serve guests first. Meals are often shared from large platters.
- Dress
- Men: shirt with sleeves and trousers or knee-length shorts. Women: shoulders and knees covered; swimwear is for beaches and hotel pools only.
- Gifts
- Bring sweets (Bahraini halwa), dates or flowers when invited to a home; do not give alcohol.
- Business
- Relationship-based; meetings often begin with coffee and small talk. The weekend is Friday and Saturday.
- Tipping
- About 10 percent in restaurants if no service charge is added; round up taxi fares.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
As-salamu alaykum
Hello (peace be upon you)
as-sa-LAA-mu a-LAY-kum
Marhaba
Welcome / hello
mar-HA-ba
Shukran
Thank you
SHOOK-ran
Min fadlak (to a man) / Min fadlik (to a woman)
Please
min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik
Na'am / La
Yes / No
NA-am / la
Kam hatha?
How much is this?
kam HA-tha
Ayna mahattat al-bas?
Where is the bus station?
AY-na ma-HAT-tat al-BAS
Min fadlak, shaghghil al-'addad
Please turn on the meter
min FAD-lak shag-GHIL al-ad-DAAD
Ahtaj musa'ada
I need help
ah-TAAJ moo-SAA-ee-da
Ramadan Kareem
Ramadan Kareem (greeting during Ramadan)
ra-ma-DAAN ka-REEM
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Capital.
Main: Islam is the state religion. The citizen population is majority Shia with a Sunni ruling family, and the large expatriate population includes Christians, Hindus and others.
Sites: Al Fateh Grand Mosque (Juffair), Beit Al Quran (Hoora, a museum of Quranic manuscripts), Sacred Heart Church and St Christopher's Cathedral in Manama, and the Shrinathji Hindu temple near Bab Al Bahrain in the old Manama quarter.
Holy Days: Ramadan (expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting), Eid al-Fitr (about 9-10 March 2027), Eid al-Adha (about 16-17 May 2027), and Muharram with Ashura (about 15-16 June 2027).
Conversations: Avoid criticising the royal family, the government or Islam; religion, sectarian relations and regional politics are sensitive topics.