There are a host of fun activities to enjoy for children and adults while in Manama. The newly built Lost Paradise water park is popular with kids and is home to an impressive artificial beach complete with sand and waves. The warm waters surrounding Bahrain and Manama are perfect for marine activities, including kayaking, snorkelling and diving.

Golf
Throughout Bahrain there are numerous world-class golf links and Manama is home to the impressive Riffa Golf Club, which offers a PGA-standard 18-hole course situated in the desert. The course can be played at night due to high-powered floodlights illuminating the fairways. Equipment and buggies can be hired at the course. Phone: +973 17 726 123.

Horseback Riding
Situated close to the city, the Dilmun Club has first-class horse stables and riding facilities with over 20 horses and ponies. The club offers a safe environment for all levels of riders with fun courses especially for kids. Phone: +973 17 693 766.

Kayaking
The warm waters surrounding Manama are ideal for kayaking with minimal waves and year-round good weather. Kayaking is a popular way to explore the archipelago and marine life while also being an enjoyable form of exercise. There are an abundance of beachside vendors and resorts offering kayaks for hire.

Lost Paradise Water Park
Lost Paradise Water Park is an exciting amusement complex with some world-class entertainment facilities. The park is designed with a Dilmun period theme, sporting unique stone architecture and sculptures. There are numerous pools, spas, slides and also the region’s largest artificial wave pool with sandy beach. Phone: +973 17 845 100; www.lpodwaterpark.com/home.html.

Scuba Diving
The warm, crystal clear waters surrounding Manama are perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling with an array of sea creatures inhabiting the waters, including whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. There is a PADI-accredited dive centre located in the city which offers great dive tours for beginners and advanced divers alike. Numerous resorts and beachside vendors offer snorkelling equipment for hire to explore the marine life close to shore. Phone: +973 17 271 780.

Manama boasts a wonderful array of interesting cultural activities to enjoy from the impressive Grand Mosque in the city’s centre to the charming and authentic markets in the Souk district. The Beit Al Quran Museum showcases numerous copies of the Koran as well as brilliant Arabic calligraphy and paintings.

Al Fateh Mosque
The Al Fateh Mosque is also known as the Grand Mosque and is the largest of its kind in Bahrain. The building houses a massive domed roof and was built by Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa in the early 1990s. Phone: +973 39 474 091

Bab el-Bahrain Souk
Positioned in the Souk district of Manama (souk meaning ‘market’ in Arabic), Bab el-Bahrain is a labyrinth of small lanes that have endless displays of goods for sale. The area, which has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, retains much of the old Arabic atmosphere.

Beit Al Quran Museum
Located in the Diplomatic district of Manama, the Beit Al Quran Museum is filled with art and works dedicated to the holy Koran, including numerous copies of the famous book. Featuring distinct Islamic architecture, the museum displays beautiful decorated walls with Arabic writing and pictures. The large complex also houses a library, an auditorium and a school. Phone: +973 17 292 977

Muharraq Summer Festival
The Muharraq Summer Festival is held during the summer months in the close by city of Muharraq. The festival is a fantastic display of traditional and modern Bahrain that focuses on family and community bonding. There are numerous entertainment shows and activities coupled with great food to enjoy.

Qal’at al-Bahrain
This archaeological site consists of an artificial mound that was created over 4,000 years by ancient human inhabitants. Since being excavated, numerous structures and artefacts have been discovered from the Dilmun civilisation, including houses, religious buildings and military remains.

Downtown of Manama city is spoilt for choice with restaurants serving cuisines and flavours from around the globe. You will find some fantastic Italian pizzerias, while Manama is also home to a large community of immigrants from India, which is evidenced by the numerous authentic Indian restaurants. The Bahraini cuisine is amazing, with an array of fresh seafood cooked in local herbs and spices.

The city is also famous for Middle Eastern fast food including tasty shawarma kebab-styled sandwiches and local sweets served from local street vendors. Other local favourites are the pasta, rice, lentil, chickpea and onion dishes that are served with fresh lemon or chilli sauces.

For a special or romantic dinner, Old Exhibition Avenue is home to some world-class fine dining restaurants with modern European menus. You will also find the Hard Rock Café located here, which has tasty burgers and live music throughout the week.

Shopping in the city of Manama is an enjoyable experience with a plethora of outdoor markets, large air-conditioned malls and renowned jewellery shops. The city is famous for gold jewellery and ornaments, with hundreds of shops displaying sparkling 18-carat pieces. You will find some beautiful rings and necklaces as well as motifs and artistic creations all at reasonable prices. Manama even has its own unique marking that is placed on all the gold from the city.

For some comfortable shopping with clothes, electronics and souvenirs, the Moda Mall is a huge enclosed centre that has everything including all the major designer brands such as Armani, Cartier, Gucci and Chanel.

The Manama Souk is situated in the downtown area and is host to a huge variety of exotic culture and open-air stalls selling everything from Persian carpets to incense, tobacco and antiques. There are also some food stalls with a range Arabic flavoured sweets and snacks.