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.
Street crime against visitors in Manama is low, but the regional security situation is the main factor in 2026: hostilities between the United States and Iran that began on 28 February 2026 have brought missile and drone threats to Bahrain. The US State Department rates Bahrain Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), and the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Travellers should check current government advice before and during any trip.
Current safety advisory
Elevated
Manama has low street crime; the regional security situation is the main risk in 2026. The US State Department lists Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) as of 27 August 2026 and the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel (23 July 2026); visitors should monitor official advice.
Last updated: 2026-10-21
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Check your government's current travel advisory before departure and again before flying; the regional security situation has changed repeatedly in 2026.
Register with your embassy's traveller programme and follow official alerts from the Bahrain Ministry of Interior (999 for emergencies).
If sirens or an official alert sound, move indoors away from windows and follow instructions from hotel staff or authorities until an all-clear is given.
Confirm flights with the airline and Bahrain International Airport (bahrainairport.bh) before travelling; schedules were disrupted in 2026.
Do not photograph military, government or police sites, or people, without permission.
Carry a copy of your passport; police may ask for ID. Never bring drugs or unprescribed controlled medication into Bahrain.
Do not drive after any alcohol; Bahrain has zero tolerance for drink-driving.
Use licensed metered taxis or the Careem and Yelo apps rather than unmarked cars.
Drink bottled water and avoid outdoor activity in the midday heat from June to September.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unmetered taxi fares
Unlicensed drivers or taxis at the airport, hotels and Bab Al Bahrain may quote inflated flat fares instead of using the meter.
How to avoid: Insist that the meter is on, or book through Careem or Yelo, which show the fare before the ride.
Souq overpricing
Opening prices for gold, pearls, perfume and textiles in Manama Souq can be well above market.
How to avoid: Compare two or three shops, bargain politely on non-gold goods, and ask for a receipt.
Fake pearls and gold
Imitation or cultured pearls and low-karat gold are sometimes sold as natural or premium goods.
How to avoid: Buy from licensed jewellers and ask for a written certificate; natural Bahraini pearls are costly and always documented.
Online rental and job-offer fraud
Fake apartment listings and visa-service offers circulate on social media groups for Gulf expatriates.
How to avoid: Pay only through official platforms and check visas on the official eVisa portal (evisa.gov.bh).
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No mandatory vaccinations for most travellers arriving from outside yellow-fever zones; routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised. In June 2026 Bahrain added entry restrictions for people arriving from Ebola-affected regions; check the official entry notice for the latest rule.
- Water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most visitors drink bottled water.
- Food
- Food hygiene standards are generally high; take care with heat and refrigeration at outdoor events.
- Facilities
- Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama has the main government emergency department; private hospitals in Manama include the American Mission Hospital and Royal Bahrain Hospital. Heat illness is a real risk from June to September. Carry travel insurance with medical cover.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Share the itinerary and accommodation address with someone at home., Save 999, your embassy number and the accommodation address in Arabic on your phone., Keep a charged phone and a power bank, and a hotel card to show taxi drivers., Register with your embassy's traveller programme before arrival.
Female travellers
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) in public places to avoid unwanted attention., Sit near the front of buses and use Careem or Yelo at night; share the ride details with someone., Hotels and malls are well lit and staffed; head there if followed or uncomfortable.
Families
Keep children hydrated and out of the midday sun from May to October., Use age-appropriate car seats in rented cars; many taxis do not carry them., Beach and hotel pool areas may be unsupervised; watch children closely.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Private consensual same-sex relations between adults are not criminalised in Bahrain, but public displays of affection by any couple are discouraged and public indecency laws are applied; discretion is strongly advised.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 999
- Medical
- 999
- Fire
- 999
- General Emergency
- 999
- Main Hospital
- Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama (call 999 for an ambulance).
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Manama: +973 1724 2700 (Zallaq Highway, Block 979, Zinj, Manama; confirm on bh.usembassy.gov)
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Manama: +973 1757 4100 (21 Government Avenue, Manama; confirm on gov.uk)