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Bahrain National Museum: A Cultural Gateway

Explore 6,000 years of Bahraini history and culture at this iconic Manama museum, featuring Dilmun artifacts, traditional crafts, and more.

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The Bahrain National Museum in Manama is the country's largest and oldest public museum, showcasing 6,000 years of Bahrain's rich history and culture. Exhibits range from ancient Dilmun artifacts to traditional Bahraini customs and crafts, offering an immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

A brief summary to Bahrain National Museum

  • 6HRX+86G, Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama, Alcorniche, BH
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Allocate at least 3-4 hours to fully explore the museum's extensive collection.
  • Check the museum's website for information on temporary exhibitions and events.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Bahrain National Theatre or the Pearling Path in Muharraq.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available at the museum.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    If you are near the Bahrain National Theatre or the Al Fateh Corniche, the museum is a short walk away. Head east along Shaikh Hamad Causeway, keeping the water to your right.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus routes serve the Bahrain National Museum. From the Manama bus station, catch bus routes 12, 17, 19 or A1. A single journey costs 300 fils (approximately $0.80), while a daily pass costs 700 fils (around $1.85). Tickets can be purchased on the bus, or you can use a GO Card.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Careem are readily available throughout Manama. A 5km ride in Manama costs about 7 BHD. The base fare for taxis in Bahrain starts at BHD 2. Each KM is then priced at 1.0 BHD.

Unlock the Best of Bahrain National Museum

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Discover more about Bahrain National Museum

The Bahrain National Museum, inaugurated in 1988, stands as a cultural icon and a gateway to the island's rich 6,000-year history. Designed by Danish architects Krohn & Hartvig Rasmussen, its modern design harmonizes with the Arabian Sea. The museum is located on an artificial peninsula overlooking Muharraq Island. It is considered one of the finest museums in the Gulf region. The museum complex is composed of two connected buildings with approximately 20,000 square metres of floor space. The main building houses permanent and temporary exhibition halls, an art gallery, a lecture hall, a gift shop, and a café. The museum features six main halls: the Hall of Dilmun, Hall of Dilmun Graves, Hall of Tylos and Islam, Hall of Documents and Manuscripts, Hall of Customs and Traditions, and Hall of Traditional Trades and Crafts. The Hall of Dilmun showcases artifacts from the Dilmun civilization (5000-400 BC), including Dilmunite stamp seals, pottery from Barbar Temple and Saar Temple, and the Durand Stone. The Hall of Dilmun Graves focuses on burial practices and features an actual burial mound transported from A'ali. The Hall of Tylos and Islam displays pottery, glassware, and jewelry from Bahrain's Tylos period. Visitors can also explore Bahrain's customs, traditions, and crafts before the discovery of oil in 1931, with models recreating a traditional marketplace. The Natural History Hall focuses on Bahrain's flora and fauna. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year.

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