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Southern Region
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Explore Southern Bahrain for Riffa heritage, desert landscapes, oil history, motorsport, wildlife reserves, beaches and remote island scenery.

Southern Region, formally the Southern Governorate, occupies the broadest and least densely settled part of Bahrain. South of Manama and the older urban districts, the landscape opens into pale limestone desert, low escarpments, developed coastline and pockets of planted greenery. Riffa is the principal inland town, while Sakhir, Zallaq, Awali and Durrat Al Bahrain provide contrasting bases for exploring the governorate. The area feels less continuously urban than northern Bahrain, although major roads and large residential developments have reshaped parts of the coast and interior.
Read more about Southern Region
The region's most recognisable historic landmark is Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort in Riffa, a restored nineteenth-century stronghold associated with Bahrain's ruling family and the town's former political importance. South of Riffa, the Jebel Al Dukhan area rises only modestly above the surrounding plain, but its prominence in Bahrain's modern history is considerable: the country's first oil well was drilled here in 1931, and oil was discovered the following year. Nearby Awali developed as an early oil-company settlement, giving the desert a distinctive industrial and social history alongside its older pastoral and trading traditions.
Sakhir is now associated with major visitor attractions and large-scale events. Bahrain International Circuit hosts international motor racing and other driving activities, while Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve offers a managed setting for viewing Arabian wildlife and learning about conservation. The surrounding desert is also a place for stargazing, seasonal camping and excursions to the Tree of Life, a mature mesquite growing in an otherwise arid landscape. Its survival has inspired many explanations, but the appeal lies chiefly in the contrast between the tree and the open gravel plain.
The southern coast changes character from one locality to another. Zallaq and Al Jazayer are known for broad sandy beaches and watersports-oriented recreation, while Durrat Al Bahrain is a planned residential and resort development built around lagoons and reclaimed coastal land. Farther offshore, the Hawar Islands form a remote archipelago administered by Bahrain and valued for their marine environment and birdlife. Access arrangements can be limited or seasonal, so they require more planning than mainland excursions.
Dining in the region ranges from Bahraini home-style cooking and casual cafés in Riffa to hotel restaurants, beach venues and contemporary establishments serving visitors around Sakhir and the southern coast. The governorate is best approached as a collection of distinct excursions rather than a compact walking destination: historic Riffa, the oil landscape, racing circuit, wildlife reserve, beaches and island environments each reward separate journeys.

When is the best time to visit Southern Region?

Best: March–April, November · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January2010
February2010
March (best)2420
April (best)2815
May335
June371
July391
August391
September365
October3210
November (best)2610
December2110

Getting to and around Southern Region

How to get there

Most international visitors arrive at Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq, outside the Southern Governorate. From the airport, Riffa and the southern attractions are reached by road across the main urban area, with taxis, ride-hailing services and car hire providing the most practical onward options. Visitors arriving from Saudi Arabia can cross the King Fahd Causeway and continue south by road; the causeway begins outside the governorate and involves border formalities. The Hawar Islands are reached by boat from Bahrain's mainland, but access is subject to current arrangements and should be organised in advance.

Transportation

A car is the most flexible way to explore Southern Bahrain because Riffa, Sakhir, Zallaq, the oil heritage sites, beaches and Durrat Al Bahrain are dispersed. Main roads are generally straightforward, although traffic can increase around major events at Bahrain International Circuit. Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful for point-to-point trips, but returning from remote beaches or desert locations may require prior planning. Public buses serve parts of Riffa and the wider island, though routes and coverage are less convenient for a full sightseeing itinerary. Walking and cycling are best suited to individual sites rather than travel between them.

Top city travel guides in Southern Region

The cities of Southern Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Southern Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Southern Region

Southern Bahrain's attractions are spread across inland towns, open desert and a developed coastline. In Riffa, Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort introduces the political history of the Al Khalifa period, while the nearby southern interior contains the First Oil Well and the Awali oil-company settlement, important reminders of the country's twentieth-century transformation. Sakhir provides a very different experience: Bahrain International Circuit hosts major racing and driving activities, and Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve offers managed habitats and conservation-focused encounters with Arabian species. The Tree of Life and Jebel Al Dukhan are simple but significant desert destinations, best appreciated for their geological and industrial context rather than elaborate facilities. Along the coast, Zallaq and Al Jazayer provide sandy beaches and watersports-oriented recreation, while Durrat Al Bahrain presents a planned lagoon development. Boat excursions to the Hawar Islands, when operating, add an offshore dimension of birdlife, marine landscapes and remoteness. The result is a varied attraction base in which heritage, oil history, motorsport, wildlife and outdoor environments are more prominent than dense urban sightseeing.

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Best landmarks in Southern Region

Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort is Southern Bahrain's principal architectural landmark. Standing in Riffa, the restored fort reflects the town's importance under the Al Khalifa dynasty and combines defensive forms with residential spaces associated with ruling authority. Farther south, the First Oil Well near Jebel Al Dukhan is an industrial landmark rather than a monumental building: its significance comes from marking the 1931–1932 discovery that began Bahrain's oil era. Jebel Al Dukhan itself is the country's highest natural point, although its elevation is modest, and the surrounding plain helps explain why the site became a national symbol. The Tree of Life is one of the governorate's most recognisable natural curiosities, an established tree standing alone in the dry landscape. Bahrain International Circuit adds a distinctly contemporary landmark in Sakhir, with its desert setting and floodlit track representing the kingdom's modern event economy. Offshore, the Hawar Islands form a geographically important landmark group, distinguished by their low islands, marine surroundings and bird habitats rather than by built architecture.

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Explore Southern Region on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Southern Region

Dining in Southern Bahrain ranges from everyday Bahraini food in Riffa to resort, hotel and destination restaurants around Sakhir, Zallaq and Durrat Al Bahrain. Look for local dishes such as machboos, rice served with seasoned meat or fish, and hearty preparations of seafood, chicken or lamb; Bahraini-style breakfast cafés and tea shops provide a more informal introduction to local eating habits. The coastal settlements and resort areas offer fish, prawns and other Gulf seafood, although menus often also include broader Gulf, Arab and international cooking. In and around Riffa, casual restaurants and cafés are useful for inexpensive meals, sweets, flatbreads and cardamom tea, while the southern resorts tend to provide more extensive hotel dining and contemporary menus. Bahraini dates, halwa and spiced coffee make practical food gifts, and markets or small food shops can be more revealing than formal dining rooms. Restaurant availability is more dispersed than in central Manama, so visitors travelling to beaches, the circuit or desert sites should plan meals rather than assume that a wide choice will be nearby.

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Best bars in Southern Region

Southern Bahrain's evening scene is centred more on restaurants, hotel lounges, cafés and traditional-style gatherings than on a concentrated nightclub district. Riffa offers local cafés and casual restaurants suited to an everyday evening, while larger hotels and resort developments around Sakhir, Zallaq and Durrat Al Bahrain may have lounges, dining terraces and occasional live entertainment. Bahrain International Circuit can create a busier evening atmosphere during major race weekends, but event arrangements vary and should be checked before travelling. In the wider governorate, outdoor evenings are popular during the cooler season, including visits to beaches or desert areas where permitted. Alcohol service is regulated and is generally associated with licensed hotels and venues rather than ordinary cafés or public spaces. Visitors should respect local laws and dress expectations, and should not assume that a rural or beach setting operates as a late-night entertainment district.

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Best nightclubs in Southern Region

Southern Bahrain's evening scene is centred more on restaurants, hotel lounges, cafés and traditional-style gatherings than on a concentrated nightclub district. Riffa offers local cafés and casual restaurants suited to an everyday evening, while larger hotels and resort developments around Sakhir, Zallaq and Durrat Al Bahrain may have lounges, dining terraces and occasional live entertainment. Bahrain International Circuit can create a busier evening atmosphere during major race weekends, but event arrangements vary and should be checked before travelling. In the wider governorate, outdoor evenings are popular during the cooler season, including visits to beaches or desert areas where permitted. Alcohol service is regulated and is generally associated with licensed hotels and venues rather than ordinary cafés or public spaces. Visitors should respect local laws and dress expectations, and should not assume that a rural or beach setting operates as a late-night entertainment district.

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Best shops in Southern Region

Shopping in Southern Bahrain is strongest in Riffa, where ordinary high-street commerce, smaller shopping areas, cafés and local services provide a more lived-in alternative to the kingdom's major malls. Visitors looking for regional products can seek Bahraini dates, halwa, spices, coffee, sweets and packaged foods, while traditional garments, perfumes and small craft items are available through specialist shops across the wider country. Around the southern resorts and Durrat Al Bahrain, retail is geared more towards residents, visitors and leisure developments than heritage shopping, with convenience outlets and selected boutiques rather than a historic bazaar district. Markets and independent shops are useful places to compare food gifts and everyday goods, but stock and trading days can vary. For a broader modern retail experience, visitors may need to travel outside the governorate towards Manama or Muharraq; these are separate destinations, not part of Southern Bahrain's local shopping fabric. Bargaining is not universal, so ask politely whether a price is negotiable rather than assuming it.

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Southern Region essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Bahraini dinar, written as BHD. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, shopping areas, restaurants, petrol stations and established attractions, while cash remains useful for smaller cafés, local stalls, taxis and transactions away from major commercial centres. Exchange rates are fixed through the dinar's official relationship with the US dollar, but visitors should still check the rate and any foreign-transaction charges applied by their card provider. Bahrain does not use a separate currency for the Southern Governorate.
Safety
Southern Bahrain is generally straightforward for visitors, but the climate and exposed terrain require sensible preparation. Summer heat can be severe, especially around the Tree of Life, Jebel Al Dukhan and open beaches, so carry water, use sun protection and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. Follow warning signs and local advice at beaches, and take care when swimming because conditions can change. Desert driving should be attempted only with a suitable vehicle and adequate preparation. Expect heavier traffic and altered access around large events at Bahrain International Circuit.
Emergency Situations
For police, fire or ambulance services anywhere in Bahrain, call 999. Give the location clearly, using a recognised road, attraction, hotel or nearby settlement; this is particularly important in the open southern desert. For a serious incident at sea or on a beach, request the appropriate emergency assistance through 999 and follow local coastguard or lifeguard instructions where present. Visitors should keep their accommodation details and identification accessible, and should not rely on mobile coverage in every remote or offshore location.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in public areas and take particular care with clothing when visiting historic or religious places, even though beach and resort settings may be more relaxed. Ask before photographing people, private property or security-related sites. Do not climb on protected structures, remove stones or plants from desert areas, or drive across sensitive habitats. Follow signs and staff guidance at beaches, wildlife facilities and the Hawar Islands. Tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed regional custom, while normal public courtesy, queueing and respect for Ramadan practices apply as they do elsewhere in Bahrain.
Local Tips
Plan southern sightseeing around the heat: Riffa's fort and indoor stops work well earlier or later in the day, while desert and beach visits are more comfortable in cooler seasons. Check whether the Bahrain International Circuit is hosting an event before setting out, even if racing is not part of the plan. Riffa is better for everyday cafés and local shopping than the resort developments, whereas Sakhir and the coast offer more destination-style dining. Allow extra time for the governorate's large distances and confirm opening or access arrangements for the Tree of Life, wildlife reserve and Hawar Islands.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHi[Hai]
GoodbyeBye[Bai]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNope[Nope]
Please/You’re welcomeSure thing[Shur thing]
Thank youThanks[Thanks]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me[Excuse me]
How are you?How's it going?[Hows it goin?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Gud. You?]
Do you speak English?Do you speak English?[Do you speak English?]
I don't understandI don’t get it[I dont get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the menu?]
I don’t eat meatI’m vegetarian[Im vegetarian]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[Can I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Leave me alone![Leave me alone!]
Call the Police!Call 911![Call 911!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I’m lostI’m lost[Im lost]
I’m illI’m not feeling well[Im not feeling well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to buy...I want to buy...[I want to buy...]
I’m just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?What’s the price?[Whats the price?]
That’s too expensiveThat’s pricey[Thats pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[Can you give me a discount?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[What time is it?]
It’s one o’clockIt’s 1 o’clock[Its 1 oclock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where’s the...?[Wheres the...?]
What’s the address?What’s the address?[Whats the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me on the map?[Can you show me on the map?]
When’s the next (bus)?When’s the next bus?[Whens the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[A ticket to...]

History of Southern Region

Ancient Dilmun and the Southern Landscape

Bahrain was the centre of Dilmun, a trading civilisation that connected Mesopotamia with the Arabian Gulf and beyond. The best-known archaeological remains are outside the Southern Governorate, but the southern mainland and offshore islands formed part of the wider maritime and oasis environment that supported Dilmun's economy. Springs, coastal shallows and sailing routes helped make Bahrain valuable despite its small size. Later settlement patterns changed considerably, yet the contrast between inhabited coastal areas and the dry interior remains an important geographical feature of the governorate.

Riffa and the Al Khalifa Period

Riffa developed into a significant inland settlement under the Al Khalifa dynasty, whose rule in Bahrain began in the late eighteenth century. Its elevated position and access to water made it strategically useful in a country otherwise dominated by low coastal plains. Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort, commonly known as Riffa Fort, reflects the town's nineteenth-century political importance. The fort was associated with Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and later members of the ruling family, and its restored architecture provides a tangible link with Bahrain's pre-oil government and military history.

Pearling, Coastal Communities and the Hawar Islands

Before oil transformed Bahrain's economy, pearling was central to livelihoods, commerce and social organisation across the islands. Southern coastal communities participated in this maritime world through fishing, boatbuilding, trading and seasonal work at sea. The Hawar Islands, lying off Bahrain's southern coast, formed part of a wider Gulf landscape used by fishing and pearling communities. Their sovereignty was disputed between Bahrain and Qatar for decades; in 2001 the International Court of Justice awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain. The islands now have a more restricted, conservation-oriented visitor profile.

The First Oil Well, 1931–1932

The discovery of oil near Jebel Al Dukhan marked the decisive beginning of Bahrain's modern economic transformation. Drilling for the country's first oil well began in 1931, and oil was struck in 1932, making Bahrain the first Gulf Arab state where oil was discovered. The well and nearby industrial landscape lie in the Southern Governorate, connecting the region directly with the expansion of modern infrastructure, wage employment and international commercial links. Bahrain's production was modest compared with that of larger Gulf neighbours, but its historical significance was substantial.

Awali and the Oil-Company Settlement

Awali grew during the early oil era as a planned settlement associated with the Bahrain Petroleum Company. Its housing, services and working arrangements reflected the segregated and highly organised company-town model common in parts of the twentieth-century petroleum industry. The settlement brought new building forms, technical occupations and recreational facilities to the southern interior, while also revealing the unequal structures of colonial-era employment. Awali and the surrounding oil installations helped turn the desert south of Riffa into one of the principal settings of Bahrain's industrial history.

Sakhir, Modern Infrastructure and Motorsport

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Sakhir became a focus for large-scale national development in the southern interior. Roads, leisure facilities, wildlife conservation projects and event infrastructure were established in an area once characterised mainly by open desert and oil activity. Bahrain International Circuit opened in 2004, bringing Formula 1 to the kingdom and placing Sakhir on the international motorsport calendar. The circuit also diversified its programme with other racing and driving activities, making motorsport a prominent part of the governorate's contemporary identity.

Southern Region in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Southern Region, Bahrain

Discover the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more in Southern Region, Bahrain with Evendo – a 100% free app-based travel guide covering everything you need.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Southern Region, Bahrain like never before with Evendo, your free all-in-one travel guide. Discover attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and book experiences effortlessly.

  • History of Southern Region and travel essentials.
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  • Easy navigation through the app and the city.
  • 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby attractions and amenities.
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Imagine stepping into the vibrant Southern Region of Bahrain, a place brimming with cultural treasures, modern landmarks, and culinary delights. With Evendo, your trip transforms into an extraordinary adventure. From the moment you arrive, the app becomes your personal guide, offering you detailed information on top attractions such as the Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve and the stunning Tree of Life. Dive into the rich history at the Bahrain National Museum or unwind at the luxurious Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Discover hidden gems and local favorites like the Al Dar Islands and the charming Adhari Park.

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Whether you're a history buff, a thrill-seeker, or a food lover, Evendo is designed to enhance your travel experience. Download Evendo today and turn your trip to Southern Region, Bahrain into a seamless, unforgettable journey.

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