One day off for Easter? Perfect to hunt for a cheap weekend break. FlyDubai has cheap prices but sky scanner offers “I just wanna get out of here doesn’t really matter where”. So from “Dubai” to “Anywhere” it is! 48 hours in Bahrain with Cathay Pacific. That is a fifth freedom return flight for 450 AED! Click, click, booked!
Ali, an awesome local Bahraini, is waiting for me in the Airport. He was so kind to show me all the hot spots in his city. Hospitality in the middle east is an understatement! I hope you have the chance to experience it as well on one of your next trips.
Foodie in Bahrain
Trying new food just after touch down is the best way to get a taste of your destination. We head to Basta 23 and share a lot different local dishes. My favorites are shakshooka (poached eggs in a spicy sauce of tomatoes and pepper, mixed with olive oil onion and garlic. Samosas, baked or fried pastries filled with a savory delight like spiced potatoes. And balaleet which is a fried vermicelli dish offering a combo of salt & sweet flavors. Oh and let’s not forget the karak, a milk tea with cardamom.
Exploring Qal’at al-Bahrain, the border with Saudi and the National Museum
Properly stuffed I can handle a stroll around a fort called Qal’at al-Bahrain. Next on the planning is the … wait for it … tree of life! The tree is around 420 old and a lot of interesting stories are being told about it. From one remarkable place to next: we drive on a bridge to check in at a Mc Donalds on the border with Saudi Arabia (check out the map at then of this post)!
Why not learn something about the local culture in the National Museum? The floor has a giant satellite photo of the country and there are loads of scenes with puppets that show the ancient traditions. Certainly worth a visit and it’s not that big so you won’t get bored.
Also, check out the museum coffee shop, there is a terrace where you can take a walk around the cool building that is housing the museum
Just next to the national museum is the Bahrain National Theater. Unfortunately I could not go inside but there is some nice art in the lobby.
Sampling the local halva dessert
After all the art and culture it’s time for something lighter, or better, sweeter. Try the local halva in one of the shops, if you are lucky you can see how they make it. On the way back we bump into a vertical garden.
Getting lost in Bab Al-Bahrain
In need for a lot of random stuff? Then just explore the Bab Al-Bahrain souqs
We end the day in style with fancy Japanese food and a cocktail with some serious kick. The drink is served in a statue kind of glass and one of the waitresses of Bushido admits that customers who have 2 of these magical drinks often need some guidance to the exit.
My flight is in a couple hours but that doesn’t stop us from checking out the camel farm and the World Trade center or the “pointy buildings” as I kept calling them. For a good picture and some chilling you can drive to Four seasons.
Conclusion: Bahrain is a perfect weekend getaway if you live in Dubai. It’s about 5 degrees colder, so ideal to escape the heat and chill out. And another stamp in your passport!
Bahrain bucket list
- Basta (breakfast)
- Fort, Qal’at al-Bahrain
- Tree of life
- Mc Donalds on border with Saudi Arabia
- Corniche
- Bahrain National Museum
- Bahrain National Theater
- Vertical garden and Sweets
- Bab Al-Bahrain Souq
- Bushido (Japanese restaurant)
- Janabiya Royal Camel Farm
- World Trade Center
- Four Seasons