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.
Manama has a hot desert climate with very hot, humid summers (July and August highs of 39-41°C), mild winters (January lows around 14°C) and little rain (about 70 mm a year, mostly November to March). Humidity from June to September makes the heat feel more intense than the thermometer reads.
Best time to visit
Best: November to March
Peak Season: December–February
Avoid: June–September heat and humidity (highs near 40°C)
Summary: Mild, sunny weather from November to March suits walking the souq, forts and waterfront; summer is best spent in air-conditioned malls and museums.
Notes: Evenings can be cool in winter; coastal humidity above 60 percent is common from June to September. Ramadan changes opening hours, so check venues if travelling in February-March 2027.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
17°C/63°F
Cool and sunny; highs about 20-22°C, cool evenings
February
18°C/64°F
Pleasant and mostly dry
March
21°C/70°F
Warm and sunny; occasional dust winds
April
25°C/77°F
Hot by afternoon; comfortable in the morning
May
30°C/86°F
Very hot, highs near 37°C
June
33°C/91°F
Very hot and humid; highs about 39°C
July
35°C/95°F
Hottest month with high humidity; highs about 40°C
August
35°C/95°F
Extreme heat and humidity
September
33°C/91°F
Still very hot and humid
October
29°C/84°F
Heat easing; evenings pleasant
November
24°C/75°F
Warm and dry; outdoor season begins
December
19°C/66°F
Mild and sunny; National Day crowds
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar–May
Warm to hot, 20-36°C, with occasional dust and shamal winds.
Summer
Months: Jun–Aug
Extremely hot, 32-41°C, with high humidity and little shade.
Fall
Months: Sep–Nov
Still hot in September, pleasant by November at 20-30°C.
Winter
Months: Dec–Feb
Mild and sunny, 14-23°C, with occasional rain and cool evenings.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- November to March, peaking around Bahrain National Day (16-17 December) and any Formula 1 Grand Prix week
- Shoulder Season
- April and October
- Low Season
- May to September (heat), apart from visiting Gulf families during Eid holidays
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Bahrain National Day
National holiday with parades, fireworks and events across Manama and Bahrain Bay; held yearly.
Ramadan
Dates depend on moon sighting; eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight is prohibited, many restaurants close by day and bars and nightlife are restricted.
Eid al-Fitr
Multi-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan; shops and sights have changed hours and hotels fill with Gulf visitors.
Eid al-Adha
Public holiday; dates depend on moon sighting.
Muharram and Ashura
Shia mourning processions and gatherings in Manama and nearby villages; expect road closures and subdued public atmosphere. Dates depend on moon sighting.
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix
Held at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir (outside Capital Governorate). The April 2026 race was cancelled on 14 March 2026 for security reasons; confirm the 2027 date at bahraingp.com.