Walk through 5,000 years of history — from ancient Dilmun temples to Portuguese forts and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
Inscribed 2005
Ancient harbor and capital of Dilmun
Inscribed 2012
Testimony to island\'s pearling economy
Inscribed 2019
Ancient cemetery of early Dilmun
Complete guide with visiting hours and tips.
Karbabad • UNESCO World Heritage Site
Established: 2300 BC - Present
The crown jewel of Bahrain's heritage — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 4,000 years of continuous human occupation. Layers of Dilmun, Kassites, Portuguese, and Arab civilizations.
Portuguese Fort
16th century fortification
Dilmun Ruins
Ancient city excavations
Museum
Artifacts and site history
Watchtower
Panoramic views
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hours: Daily 8AM-8PM
💡 Visit at sunset for magical lighting. Museum first, then explore the site.
A'ali & surrounding areas • UNESCO World Heritage Site
Established: 2050-1750 BC
One of the world's largest ancient cemeteries with 21 archaeological sites featuring burial mounds from the early Dilmun era. UNESCO inscribed in 2019.
Royal Mounds A'ali
Largest burial mounds
Mound Fields
Scattered ancient cemeteries
Excavated Tombs
Visible internal chambers
Duration: 1-2 hours
Hours: 24/7 (outdoor sites)
💡 A'ali Royal Mounds are most accessible. Combine with Pottery workshops nearby.
Muharraq Island • UNESCO World Heritage Site
Established: 19th-20th century
UNESCO-listed testimony to Bahrain's pearl diving heritage. Walking trail through historic Muharraq connecting traditional houses, merchants' homes, and seafront.
Siyadi Houses
Merchant family homes
Bu Maher Fort
Seafront fortification
Amarat Fakhro
Traditional house museum
Pearling Jetty
Historic boat launch
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hours: Buildings 9AM-5PM (varies)
💡 Start at Pearling Trail Visitor Centre. Best walked in cooler months.
Southern Desert • Natural Wonder
Established: 400+ years old
Iconic 400-year-old mesquite tree standing alone in the barren desert with no visible water source. One of Bahrain's most photographed landmarks.
The Tree
Ancient Prosopis cineraria
Desert Views
Barren landscape
Visitor Area
Parking and facilities
Duration: 30 min - 1 hour
Hours: 24/7
💡 Visit at sunset. Combine with nearby oil wells. 4WD not required but road is rough.
Arad, Muharraq • Historic Fort
Established: 15th century
Beautifully restored 15th-century Arabian fort near Bahrain International Airport. Atmospheric setting especially when lit at night.
Fort Interior
Restored rooms and passages
Watchtowers
Corner defensive towers
Courtyard
Central open area
Duration: 45 min - 1 hour
Hours: Daily 8AM-8PM
💡 Evening visits are magical when the fort is illuminated. Great for photography.
Riffa • Historic Fort
Established: 1812
Historic fort built in 1812, former residence of Bahrain's ruling family. Overlooks the Hunanaiya Valley with beautiful views.
Residential Quarters
Former royal rooms
Watchtower
Valley viewpoint
Courtyard
Central gathering space
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Hours: Sun-Thu 8AM-2PM, 4PM-6PM
💡 Combine with Royal Golf Club nearby. Valley views are worth the visit.
Barbar Village • Archaeological Site
Established: 3000-2000 BC
Ancient Dilmun temple complex dedicated to Enki, god of wisdom and fresh water. One of the most important archaeological discoveries in Bahrain.
Temple Complex
Three overlapping temples
Sacred Pool
Ancient water source
Altar Remains
Sacrificial areas
Duration: 45 min - 1 hour
Hours: Daily 8AM-6PM
💡 Bring informational material — signage is limited. Combine with Qal'at al-Bahrain.
Al Khamis • Historic Mosque
Established: 7th-11th century
One of the oldest mosques in the Arabian Gulf, believed to date to the 7th century. Notable twin minarets added in the 11th century.
Twin Minarets
11th century additions
Prayer Hall
Original mosque foundation
Surroundings
Archaeological zone
Duration: 30 minutes
Hours: Exterior always visible
💡 Non-Muslims can view exterior. Important for Islamic history enthusiasts.
October-April offers pleasant weather. Summer visits should be early morning or evening only.
Bahrain has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Plan at least one full day to see them all.
Water, sunscreen, hat, comfortable shoes. Many sites have uneven terrain.
Modest dress recommended. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Consider guided tours for deeper understanding. National Museum offers context before visiting sites.
Generally allowed everywhere. Sunset at Bahrain Fort and Tree of Life is spectacular.
Bahrain has three UNESCO sites: Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort, 2005), Pearling Path in Muharraq (2012), and Dilmun Burial Mounds (2019).
Qal'at al-Bahrain dates back to 2300 BC, and Barbar Temple to around 3000 BC. The Dilmun burial mounds date from 2050-1750 BC.
Yes! While it's essentially just a tree, its survival for 400+ years in barren desert is remarkable. It's especially beautiful at sunset.
Allow 2-3 days to properly explore all major sites. At minimum, spend one full day covering Bahrain Fort, National Museum, and the Pearling Path.