7 Best Day Trips From Capital [2026]

Name: Manama, Capital Governorate
Address: BH

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.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

About 8 km west of central Manama (estimated)

Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) and Site Museum

Taxi or Careem to 'Bahrain Fort' (metered, roughly BHD 3-5, ~$8-13, estimated); no verified direct bus, so check bahrainbus.bh; self-drive along Budaiya Road with free parking at the site museum

Highlights: Walk the ramparts of the 16th-century Portuguese fort on top of the Dilmun tell · Explore the Qal'at al-Bahrain Site Museum and its Dilmun artefacts · See excavated layers of settlement spanning several thousand years · View the Gulf of Bahrain and Manama skyline from the fort walls

About 8 km east of central Manama across the Shaikh Hamad Causeway (estimated)

Muharraq Pearling Path

Taxi or Careem to 'Siyadi House, Muharraq' (metered, roughly BHD 2-4, ~$5-11, estimated); Bahrain Public Transport Company buses from Bab Al Bahrain to Muharraq (cash fare BHD 0.30, ~$0.80; check bahrainbus.bh)

Highlights: Tour Siyadi House and other restored pearl merchants' buildings · Walk the marked path through Muharraq's coral-stone old town lanes · See wind-catcher houses and carved wooden doors · Learn about pearl diving and the pearl trade in small exhibition spaces · Taste Bahraini sweets and karak tea in traditional cafes

About 9 km east of central Manama (estimated)

Arad Fort and Arad Fort Beach Park

Bahrain Public Transport Company bus No. 10 to the Avenue 29 stop, a 5-minute walk from the fort (cash fare BHD 0.30, ~$0.80); or taxi or Careem to 'Arad Fort'

Highlights: Climb the corner towers and ramparts of the 15th-century fort · Stroll the adjoining Arad Fort Beach Park by the water · See the fort illuminated after dark · Pair the visit with the nearby Muharraq Pearling Path

About 30 km south-west of central Manama (estimated)

Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir

Taxi or Careem to 'Bahrain International Circuit' (metered, roughly BHD 8-12, ~$21-32, estimated); self-drive via Sakhir; no verified direct bus outside race weekends. BIC hotline +973 1745 0000, website bahraingp.com

Highlights: See the Formula One circuit that hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix · Join a track tour or experience when available outside race weekends · View the grandstands, paddock and desert setting at Sakhir · Combine with Al Areen Wildlife Park or the Tree of Life

About 30 km south-west of central Manama (estimated)

Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve

Taxi or Careem to 'Al Areen Wildlife Park' (metered, roughly BHD 8-12, ~$21-32, estimated); self-drive; no verified direct bus. Arrange a return ride because pick-ups at the park are scarce

Highlights: See Arabian oryx and desert wildlife in a protected reserve · Tour the larger reserve area by vehicle where available · Spot gazelles and desert birds in open habitat · Combine with the Tree of Life and the Bahrain International Circuit

About 40 km south of central Manama (estimated)

Tree of Life, Jebel Dukhan

Taxi or Careem to 'Tree of Life' (metered, roughly BHD 10-14, ~$27-37, estimated); self-drive with free parking at the visitor centre; no verified direct bus. Arrange a return ride

Highlights: See the roughly 400-year-old mesquite tree standing alone in the desert · Visit the visitor centre and read about the tree's story · View the Jebel Dukhan landscape and desert scenery · Combine with Al Areen Wildlife Park and the circuit

About 40 km by road to Durrat Al Bahrain Pavilion, then about 30 minutes by boat to Hawar Island (estimated)

Hawar Islands

Taxi or Careem to 'Durrat Al Bahrain Pavilion', then the boat transfer arranged in advance with Hawar Resort by Mantis; access to the protected islands is restricted, so the transfer must be booked before travel using the contact details on the booking confirmation

Highlights: Take a boat transfer from Durrat Al Bahrain to the protected islands · Watch seabirds, including Socotra cormorants, in a nature reserve · Look for Arabian oryx and gazelles on wildlife excursions · Relax on quiet beaches and enjoy water activities at the resort

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Public: Bahrain Public Transport Company buses (cash fare BHD 0.30, ~$0.80; GO Card BHD 0.275; route planner at bahrainbus.bh). Bus No. 10 serves Arad Fort (Avenue 29 stop, 5-minute walk). No verified direct bus reaches the Tree of Life, Al Areen or the circuit.
Taxi: Metered taxis and Careem; the airport-to-Manama range of BHD 4-8 (~$11-21) in a 2026 guide suggests BHD 3-8 (~$8-21) for these trips (estimated). Arrange a return ride or waiting time at remote sites.
Private: Rental car or a hired driver; the roads are good and signed in English, and parking at all listed sites is free or on site.

Multi-day tours from Capital

If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.

Browse multi-day tours from Capital

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Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Opening hours: Qal'at al-Bahrain museum is listed Tuesday-Sunday 08:00-20:00 and closed Monday by the Bahrain authority for culture; other sources say 08:00-18:00. Al Areen is listed 08:00-16:00 (Friday 14:00-17:00, closed Monday) with a reported adult ticket of BHD 2 (~$5) paid by card. Confirm at culture.gov.bh or bahrain.com before leaving.

Tip

Return rides from Al Areen, Tree of Life, the circuit and Durrat are scarce; book a Careem back or agree a waiting fare with a taxi driver.

Tip

Start early; the south of Bahrain has little shade and midday heat above 40 C from May to September.

Tip

Hawar is a protected area; book the boat transfer with Hawar Resort by Mantis before travelling, and check whether day passes are currently offered.