Discover Manama

Culture and history in Manama can be explored through two very different themes: the architecture of the Bahrain National Theatre and the postal history of the Manama Post Office Museum. Stage and design are set alongside collections and postal artifacts. If you’re looking for a hotel in Manama, you can consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay.

Bahrain National Theatre: design and performances

The Bahrain National Theatre has an auditorium with 1,001 seats and wood-paneled interior walls. Its unique architectural design is inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. The number of seats indicates the size of the auditorium; the inspiration drawn from the tales offers insight into the design concept.

The theater covers about 12,000 square meters and is among the largest theaters in the Arab world, as well as its third-largest opera houses, after the Cairo Opera House in Egypt and the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman. It opened in November 2012. International performances hosted by the venue have included appearances by the Orchestra of the 21st Century of Russia, Yanni, Placido Domingo, the Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballets, and Il Divo.

Postal history at the Manama Post Office Museum

Just behind Bab Al Bahrain is Manama’s original post office, now home to a renovated museum on the history of postal services in Bahrain. Its collection includes a photographic archive of the postal service since its beginnings and a complete catalog of Bahraini stamps. It also features stamps from around the world, as well as historic cancellation marks, scales, and franking machines. The exhibits range from photographic documentation of the postal service to the devices and philatelic items in the collection.

Another historical perspective on postal services was presented in 2015, when the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities established a permanent exhibition on the subject in the old government building in Bab Al-Bahrain. Ammar Basheir designed the exhibition, which features stamps, memorabilia, and historical photographs. This offers a clear distinction when choosing what interests you: the theater foregrounds architecture and the history of performance, while the post office museum and exhibition focus on the development of postal services and related artifacts.

More cultural attractions in the wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah

The wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah also offers other cultural and historical attractions. Bab Al Bahrain houses a tourism office and a permanent visitor gallery. Bab Al Bahrain Souq has more than 30 shops, as well as cafés offering a wide selection of food and drinks. The mix of commercial offerings may change.

The Bahrain National Museum opened in 1988 and is located in Manama on an artificial peninsula overlooking Muharraq. Its six main halls are devoted to burial mounds, Dilmun, Tylos and Islam, customs and traditions, traditional crafts, and documents and manuscripts. The themes span archaeological and historical topics as well as everyday culture, handicrafts, and written heritage.

Manama Souq is located near Bab Al Bahrain in central Manama. Its shops offer souvenirs, gold, spices, and textiles; traditional cafés complement the selection. The range of goods may change. Block 338 offers a different regional perspective: it’s a pedestrian district in the heart of Adliya. Its restaurants serve celebratory meals, traditional Bahraini dishes, and drinks. Khalaf House illustrates Manama’s historical ties to the pearl trade and commerce.

Other places to visit in the region include Al Fateh Mosque, which welcomes tourists who can explore its furnishings and beauty with multilingual guides. As visitor arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting.

For the wider travel overview: Muhafazat Al-Asimah.