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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Bahraini halwa
Saffron and nut sweet in gift boxes.
Price: BHD 2-8 (~$5-21) per box
Where: Showaiter Sweets shops, Exhibition Avenue
Dates
Gulf dates in gift boxes.
Price: BHD 2-8 (~$5-21)
Where: Manama Souq and hypermarkets in the malls
Baharat and dried limes
Spice mixes used in machboos.
Price: BHD 1-3 (~$3-8)
Where: Manama Souq spice stalls
Pearls and gold
Bahrain's pearling heritage; ask for certification of natural pearls.
Price: From about BHD 20 (~$53)
Where: Gold City and Manama Souq jewellers
Oud and bukhoor
Oud oils and incense.
Price: BHD 3-50 (~$8-133)
Where: Manama Souq perfume shops
Brass coffee pots (dallah)
Arabic coffee pots.
Price: BHD 5-25 (~$13-66)
Where: Manama Souq
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Manama Souq
Spices, perfume, textiles, sweets, pearls and everyday goods
Where: Behind Bab Al Bahrain, Government Avenue
Hours: Roughly 08:30-22:00; many shops close at midday and Friday morning (listings conflict; verify)
Bab Al Bahrain
Historic gateway and entrance to the souq; post office and tourist information
Where: Government Avenue, Manama
Hours: Square open at all times; shops follow souq hours
Gold City
Gold, jewellery and pearl shops in a small indoor mall
Where: Government Avenue, Naim
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00-21:30; Friday hours vary (directory listings, 2016 and undated); verify
Manama Central Market
Fish, fruit and vegetables
Where: Naim
Hours: Daily; busiest early morning; verify
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Bahrain City Centre
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 daily, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (undated listings; verify on the mall website)
Seef Mall
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (directory listing; verify)
The Avenues Bahrain
Hours: Weekdays 10:00-22:00, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (listing; verify)
Moda Mall
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00; verify with the mall
The Bahrain Mall
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 daily, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (undated listings; verify on the mall website)
Capital Mall
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 daily, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (undated listings; verify on the mall website)
Juffair Mall
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 daily, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (undated listings; verify on the mall website)
Dana Mall
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 daily, Thursday and Friday to 24:00 (undated listings; verify on the mall website)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Offer about 70 percent of the first price in the souq and settle around 80 percent.
Gold is priced by weight; negotiate the making charge, not the gram price.
Ask for the pearl certificate for natural pearls; buy only from shops that give one.
Mall and brand shops are fixed price.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, in the souq., VAT of 10 percent is included in shelf prices; ask the shop whether any refund applies before buying., Many souq shops close for a midday break and open late on Friday., Photograph shopkeepers only after asking.