Arad Fort and Arad Fort Beach Park

Arad Fort is a compact fortress in Arad, on Muharraq Island about 9 km east of central Manama, roughly 20 minutes by car. Dating to the 15th century and later renovated, the square fort with corner towers was built to guard the island's sea approaches and is a landmark of Bahrain's defensive history. The fort is surrounded by a landscaped park and sits close to the water, and the Arad Fort Beach Park beside it offers lawns, walkways and a small stretch of shoreline popular with local families in the evening. Inside, visitors can walk through the courtyard, climb to the ramparts and towers, and look out over Muharraq's coastline. The fort is floodlit at night, and is one of the most photographed sites on the island. Transport options include Bahrain Public Transport Company bus No. 10 to the Avenue 29 stop, a five-minute walk from the fort at a cash fare of BHD 0.30, or taxi or Careem. A suggested day pairs the fort with the Muharraq Pearling Path: begin in Muharraq's old town in the morning, break for lunch at a local cafe, and reach Arad Fort in mid-afternoon so the late light and the evening floodlighting can be enjoyed from the park. The best season is November to March, when evenings are pleasant for strolling; summer midday is very hot. Food stops are easy to find in the surrounding Muharraq neighbourhoods, where cafes and small restaurants serve Bahraini and Indian dishes, and the park has simple refreshment options at times. The visit is short, usually one to two hours, so it works well as a final stop of a Muharraq half day or as a sunset outing. Bring water and a hat in warmer months, and check at the entrance for current opening times, since seasonal hours can change.